The “Green Hell” is calling

[BMW Power]

24h Spa test day: BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS sets fastest lap time.
The next highlight of the 2015 endurance season is just around the corner for BMW Motorsport: the iconic 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps gets underway in just 30 days from now.



The official test day at the “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps” on Wednesday heralded the final phase of preparations for the BMW teams. Eight BMW teams sent a total of nine BMW Z4 GT3s onto the legendary circuit.
Six BMW works drivers were also in action at the 7.004-kilometre track in the Ardennes, including BMW DTM drivers Augusto Farfus, Maxime Martin, Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler, who now head to the Norisring for the third race weekend of the 2015 DTM season, which begins on Friday. Farfus and Martin will strengthen the driver line-up at BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS for the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Glock and Spengler join forces with double amputee and fellow BMW works driver Alessandro Zanardi at the wheel of a modified BMW Z4 GT3 run by ROAL Motorsport.
The Triple Eight Racing team also received welcome support during the test day at Spa-Francorchamps: BMW works driver Dirk Müller added his wealth of experience to the team. He will share the cockpit with Joe Osborne, Lee Mowle and Ryan Ratcliff at the 24-hour race on 25th and 26th July. The test was repeatedly interrupted by numerous red flags, particularly in the morning. For this reason, the teams used the afternoon session to complete their long runs. In dry conditions, the pairing of Martin/Farfus clocked the fastest time of the day (2:19.034 minutes) in the number 45 BMW Z4 GT3. Their team-mates at BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, Markus Palttala and Nick Catsburg, were just 0.324 seconds off the fastest time in third place. BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil, Team Russia by Barwell, Ecurie Ecosse and the TDS Racing and Boutsen Ginion teams also completed their test laps successfully at “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps”.
Quotes from the BMW works drivers:
Augusto Farfus (#45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“There were a lot of red flags being waved this morning, which was obviously not ideal. Despite this, we still managed to gather valuable data and improve the car. As far as our expectations ahead of the 24-hour race are concerned, I cannot really say for definite right now. Although we do not necessarily compete with the fastest overall package, we do have the necessary consistency and a very strong driver line-up, which should enable us to be successful. However, it goes without saying that we must first finish, then we’ll see how we have got on. At the moment I seem to be alternating between two extremes: I must now travel from one of the longest circuits in Europe to the DTM at the Norisring – probably the shortest circuit in the world. These are exciting weeks for me.”
Maxime Martin (#45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“The test went very well. The car worked flawlessly, which allowed us to complete an extensive programme of testing. We tried out a lot of things and consistently made alterations to find the perfect set-up and balance for the 24-hour race. Our lap times are very good, and we set the fastest time today. A test day is obviously of no major significance yet, and it is important for the car to be fast for the entire 24 hours. However, it is always better to be up near the front than not. We are quite happy with the situation.”
Alessandro Zanardi (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“I am quite satisfied with the job we have done so far. I can drive the car better than last year, and this is fantastic as at first we were trying to develop something that allows Timo and Bruno to jump into the car and drive to the best of their abilities, in spite of the aids we have installed for me. We not only achieved that, but what we developed helps me to get a better feel for the brake pedal and to attack with the car even more. The ergonomics in the car definitely suit me better than what we had before. So we now could turn our focus to the set-up of the car. Over the single lap it seems like other people are slightly faster than us, but we were focusing on doing kilometres and completing long-runs, and the car is performing well especially over the distance. For sure we have more work to do, but we know what direction we have to take.”
Timo Glock (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“As before today I only knew the circuit from my time in Formula One, it was important for me to get behind the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3 and complete a few test laps here in Spa. It is astonishing how quickly the car corners, despite its weight. I am glad we were able to take another step forward with regard to the 24 Hours of Spa – both in terms of the development of the car and as a team. I believe we are well prepared. I am looking forward to returning in July for the actual race itself.”
Bruno Spengler (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“It is ten years since I last drove here in Spa. Back then it was in a DTM car. Therefore, I first had to re-learn the circuit and then take my time getting used to it again. The test laps really helped me with this. The BMW Z4 GT3 is great fun to drive on this track, especially going flat-out through Eau Rouge and Blanchimont. There is huge anticipation ahead of the 24-hour race. I have great respect for this iconic event and, in particular, for all the drivers taking part. Sixty six cars will be on the track at the same time. A lot can happen. However, like me, my team-mates Alex Zanardi and Timo Glock have already experienced a lot in racing. We are well equipped to deal with this.”
Dirk Müller (#888 BMW Z4 GT3, Triple Eight Racing):
“I am already looking forward to supporting Triple Eight Racing at the 24 Hours of Spa. It is a fantastic race and a great team. Unfortunately I was unable to take part last year as it clashed with a race in the USA. That makes me all the happier to be here this year. We used the test to try out one or two things with the set-up of the BMW Z4 GT3. The test went well and I am sure that we will be well prepared to push hard with the number 888 BMW Z4 GT3 in the Pro-Am class.”

[zaharias]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[BMW Power]

Two special car designs for the BMW teams in Spa.
Two of the BMW Z4 GT3s that will compete at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on 25th and 26th July will stand out from the crowd as a result of their extraordinary liveries.



This is particularly true of the BMW “Dream Team” car, with Alessandro Zanardi, Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler. It will feature a cartoon-style design, as an homage to the iconic Belgian comic series about racing driver “Michel Vaillant”. Furthermore, the design of one of the three BMW Z4 GT3s fielded by BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS at its home race will raise awareness of the “Belgian Foundation against Cancer”, a charity organisation for whom the Belgian team is racing.
“Our priority for any race is to catch the eye through our sporting success – and we are confident we are well positioned to do precisely that at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “However, if we also have the opportunity to please the fans with a special car design, we are only too happy to take it. The stories of comic hero ‘Michel Vaillant’ are known well beyond the Belgian border. I think this design is excellently suited to our extraordinary project with Alex Zanardi, Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler. I am also delighted that BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS is also doing its bit for a good cause with its special design.”
The bonnet of the BMW Z4 GT3 will be adorned with portraits of the three BMW drivers Zanardi, Glock and Spengler, while the caption “Vrooaaw” is written on the side of the car. Therefore, the car is reminiscent of “Michel Vaillant”, whose fictitious racing-driver adventures have enjoyed a large fan base around the world since 1957. The strip appeared in the “Tintin” comic and is in the tradition of the famous “Tim & Struppi” stories. Even today, new “Michel Vaillant” adventures are being published.
“I think there are very few racing drivers who did not read the ‘Michel Vaillant’ stories when they were young and then dream of their own great career as a racing driver,” said Glock. “You need heroes when you are young, and ‘Michel Vaillant’ was one such hero,” added Spengler. “I’m really proud of this livery.”
The special BMW Z4 GT3 belonging to BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS will race with boxing gloves on the chassis. Under the slogan “Marc VDS & Friends Racing Against Cancer”, a number of Belgian motor racing legends will take their turn at the wheel of the car. In action will be Eric van de Poele, who won the DTM title in a BMW M3 in 1987, Jean-Michel Martin, multiple winner of the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and father of BMW DTM driver Maxime Martin, Marc Duez, another BMW winner at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, and Pascal Witmeur, a long-term friend of the Marc VDS Racing team. The quartet will not contest the entire race, but will each drive for 24 minutes, in order to raise awareness of the fight against cancer, while at the same time generating as much money from donations as possible.
“We are not driving the entire race, as we want to keep the running costs of the car as low as possible,” said team principal Bas Leinders. “That allows us to raise more money for the Belgian Foundation against Cancer. After all, that is what this project is all about.”
As well as the two striking design cars, BMW Motorsport also competes with a large contingent of a further nine BMW Z4 GT3s.

[BMW Power]

Strong BMW contingent for the Spa 24 Hours.
The countdown is on to the next highlight of the 2015 endurance racing season.



the iconic 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps will be held for the 67th time this weekend (25th/26th July). This year’s marathon in the Ardennes marks a special anniversary for BMW: it is exactly 50 years since the manufacturer claimed the first of its 21 victories at this classic in 1965. Pascal Ickx and Gérard Langlois van Ophem triumphed with the BMW 1800 TI/SA.
In 2015, a strong contingent of eight BMW teams will compete in Belgium. In total, they will send 11 BMW Z4 GT3s into action at the “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps”. A host of BMW works drivers will take on the challenge presented by this unique endurance race and will bolster the BMW privateer teams.
“This year’s 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is very special for BMW Motorsport in many regards,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “It is exactly 50 years since BMW celebrated its first victory in the Ardennes. A further 20 triumphs have followed to date. On this anniversary, we compete with many BMW Z4 GT3s in Belgium in 2015. This is the last major appearance by this car, and the goal is to continue our success story in Spa – preferably with another victory, of course. There have been many races, in which the BMW Z4 GT3 has missed out on victory at a 24-hour classic by little more than a hair’s breadth. Therefore, we will be doing everything in our power to ensure this magnificent car is given a worthy send-off on the 24-hour stage. At the same time, the race is the highlight of a unique project: Alex Zanardi is joining forces with Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler. To ensure that Alex can alternate with Timo and Bruno at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3, despite his physical restrictions, our engineers have invested a lot of time and developed innovative solutions over the past few months. I am certain that this extraordinary combination of drivers will thrill the fans.”
BMW DTM drivers Augusto Farfus and Maxime Martin will share the cockpit of the number 45 BMW Z4 GT3, run by BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, with Dirk Werner, himself a BMW works driver in the United SportsCar Championship (USCC). Werner’s fellow USCC driver Lucas Luhr will be in action in the number 46 car, alongside Markus Palttala and Nick Catsburg. After second place last year and having set the fastest time at the official 24h test day, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS is one of the favourites for overall victory.
Team Principal Bas Leinders’ outfit will field a third BMW Z4 GT3 at its home race: the “Marc VDS & Friends Racing Against Cancer” car competes with a prominent squad of drivers in aid of the Belgian cancer foundation. In Pascal Witmeur, Jean-Michel Martin, Marc Duez and Eric van de Poele, this car features a quartet of Belgian drivers who have enjoyed major success with BMW in the past.
Three current BMW works drivers – Alessandro Zanardi, Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler – are at the heart of a very special project in Spa-Francorchamps: amputee Zanardi will share the cockpit with able-bodied drivers for the first time. The BMW Motorsport engineers have modified the BMW Z4 GT3 with innovative technical solutions for this extraordinary first. The number nine car will be run by ROAL Motorsport.
The Triple Eight Racing team will also receive prominent support in the Pro-Am class: Dirk Müller will support Joe Osborne, Ryan Ratcliffe and Lee Mowle at the wheel of the BMW Z4 GT3. BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil, Team Russia by Barwell, Classic & Modern Racing, Ecurie Ecosse, TDS Racing and Boutsen Ginion will also take on the challenging “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps”.
This year, the 24 Hours of Spa again forms the highlight of the season in the Blancpain Endurance Series. The top 20 positions on the grid will be determined during the 15-minute Superpole from 15:30 on Friday 24th July. The race gets underway at 16:30 on Saturday 25th July and finishes exactly 24 hours later at 16:30 on Sunday 26th July.
Quotes from the BMW works drivers:
Alessandro Zanardi (Number 9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“I cannot wait for the race and am very grateful to BMW for giving me the opportunity to race at Spa-Francorchamps. We are well prepared for the weekend. The BMW Z4 GT3 is an outstanding car, which will show its strengths in Spa. My team-mates are fantastic drivers and great guys. And BMW Motorsport and ROAL Motorsport are supporting us perfectly. The overall package of car, drivers, team and engineers is excellent. We obviously know that racing is unpredictable – particularly 24-hour races. However, we can set our goals high. I would be happy if we finished in the top five – but not surprised. Every one of us has shown he has the performance to achieve this. All we have to do now is put this together as a team and get a result to make BMW proud.”
Timo Glock (Number 9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“I am really looking forward to my first 24-hour race. It is a great honour for me to be part of this extraordinary project with Alex Zanardi and Bruno Spengler. The circuit in Spa is absolutely fantastic. I know it very well from my time in Formula One. I drove Eau Rouge in the BMW Z4 GT3 on the test day ahead of the 24 Hours of Spa. It was fantastic fun. I am looking forward to seeing how the race pans out for us.”
Bruno Spengler (Number 9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“Spa is one of the most important 24-hour races in the world – and I am pleased to be racing there alongside Alex and Timo. We get on very well and, together with BMW Motorsport and ROAL Motorsport, are a great team. We face a big challenge, but I am really looking forward to it and am very motivated. As a racing driver, you obviously think about performance and want to drive as well and quickly as possible. However, we keep experiencing moments, in which we are made aware that this is a unique team. I am incredibly proud to be driving with Alex. That makes this venture even more fun and gives me even more motivation.”
Augusto Farfus (Number 45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“Spa is one of the best, if not the best, GT endurance race in the world. The driver line-up is obviously very strong. We showed at the official test day that our pace is very competitive and the car is outstanding. It is obviously a long race, but we have a strong overall package. I am very proud to share the cockpit with Maxime and Dirk. It is going to be fantastic and very intense.”
Maxime Martin (Number 45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“This race is very special for me every year. It is basically my home race, as this is the only race I drive in Belgium. My father won here on four occasions, so it is almost like a family event. I really want to win here. There will be a lot of spectators, which I will enjoy. The tests went well, but it goes without saying that these times are not really that significant. However, our overall package is good. Furthermore, we have an outstanding driver line-up, so we could have a really good chance.”
Dirk Werner (Number 45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“I am really looking forward to the race. On the one hand, I just love this circuit. On the other hand, I know that the team works very passionately at its home race. Last year we were very close to overall victory. Everyone in the team will do everything in their power to win this race. That is my goal, as I have already made three appearances on the podium in the past. This is also the final 24-hour race for the BMW Z4 GT3, and I think that everyone is determined to give this car a worthy send-off with a victory.”
Lucas Luhr (Number 46 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“Last year we finished runners-up, just seven seconds behind the winners. This year, my clear goal is to win by seven seconds. It is a fantastic race. There are an awful lot of cars on the track. Because of this, it is vital to stay out of all the aggro, progress well through traffic, and make the right strategic decisions. I love this circuit. It is one of the old, iconic circuits, on which you have to show a good amount of courage. We are well prepared. Hopefully we will manage to bid farewell to the BMW Z4 GT3 with an overall victory.”
Overview of the BMW teams and cars at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps 2015:
PRO-CUP:
Number 9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport
Alessandro Zanardi (IT), Timo Glock (DE), Bruno Spengler (CA)
Number 45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS
Augusto Farfus (BR), Maxime Martin (BE), Dirk Werner (DE)
Number 46 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS
Lucas Luhr (DE), Markus Palttala (FI), Nick Catsburg (NL)
Number 77 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil
Sergio Jimenez (BR), Felipe Fraga (BR), Caca Bueno (BR)
PRO-AM-CUP:
Number 12 BMW Z4 GT3, TDS Racing
Eric Dermont (FR), Henry Hassid (FR), Franck Perera (FR), Mathias Beche (FR)
Number 78 BMW Z4 GT3, Team Russia by Barwell
Leonid Machitski (RU), Jon Minshaw (GB), Jonathan Cocker (GB), Phil Keen (GB)
Number 79 BMW Z4 GT3, Ecurie Ecosse
Alasdair McCaig (GB), Devon Modell (GB), Oliver Bryant (GB), Alexander Sims (GB)
Number 888 BMW Z4 GT3, Triple Eight Racing
Joe Osborne (GB), Ryan Ratcliffe (GB), Lee Mowle (GB), Dirk Müller (DE)
BMW Z4 GT3 „Marc VDS & Friends Racing Against Cancer“
Pascal Witmeur (BE), Jean-Michel Martin (BE), Eric van de Poele (BE), Marc Duez (BE)
AM-CUP:
Number 15 BMW Z4 GT3, Boutsen Ginion
Karim Ojjeh (SA), Olivier Grotz (LU), Jordan Grogor (AE), Ralf Oeverhaus (DE)
Number 30 BMW Z4 GT3, Classic & Modern Racing
Jean-Luc Blanchemain (FR), Pierre Hirschi (CH), Christian Kelders (BE), Frederic Bouvy (BE)

[BMW Power]

[BMW Power]

Overall victory at the 24 Hours of Spa.
BMW has added another chapter to its success story at Spa-Francorchamps: 50 years after its first win at the 24-hour classic, Nick Catsburg, Lucas Luhr and Markus Palttala of BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS claimed the manufacturer’s 22nd overall victory at this race.



After 536 laps of the “Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps”, the number 46 BMW Z4 GT3 recovered from a drive-through penalty to cross the finish line first at the end of the 67th running of the Ardennes marathon. Victory was a fitting farewell for the BMW Z4 GT3, which was making its final appearance at one of the most important endurance races in the world.
BMW’s maiden success at Spa-Francorchamps came exactly 50 years ago in 1965, when local heroes Pascal Ickx and Gérard Langlois won with a BMW 1800 TI/SA. The most recent win came courtesy of Alain Cudini, Marc Duez and Eric van de Poele in a BMW 320i in 1998. In recent years, BMW drivers have landed on the podium with the BMW Z4 GT3 on several occasions: in 2011, Claudia Hürtgen, Edward Sandström and BMW works driver Dirk Werner were runners-up for Schubert Motorsport. This was followed in 2012 by third place for Frank Kechele, Greg Franchi and Mathias Lauda of the Vita4One Racing team. Last year, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS missed out on victory by just 7.077 seconds in one of the closest finishes in the history of this classic race. After 527 laps of racing, Luhr, Palttala and Dirk Werner came home second in the number 77 BMW Z4 GT3 to claim the first podium for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS at its home race in the Ardennes. The circuit is just 140 kilometres from the team headquarters in Gosselies.
The second BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS car was very unlucky. The number 45 BMW Z4 GT3 held a comfortable lead for long stretches of the race. It looked destined for overall victory until a technical problem resulted in engine damage on lap 399, dashing any hopes of success at its home event. Right from the word go, Dirk Werner, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus had produced a dazzling display of driving. The many heavy showers that descended upon Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday made for extremely difficult conditions at the 7.004-kilometre circuit. Despite this, start driver Martin wasted little time in making up ground from his start position of tenth and was soon in touch with the leaders. He was then unable to avoid losing valuable time as the result of Safety Car periods. On lap 37, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS was actually running first and second, until both cars came into the pits at the same time. The race calmed down a bit in the night. By dawn, Martin, Farfus and Werner held a lead of over 50 seconds over the rest of the field, until they were struck by the technical fault.
The remaining BMW teams also impressed with strong performances at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Three BMW Z4 GT3s ended the race in the top ten. Ecurie Ecosse, with drivers Alexander Sims, Alasdair McCaig, Devon Modell and Oliver Bryant produced a remarkable fightback. Sims started the race from 20th place in the number 79 car. By ten minutes into the race he had climbed to 12th. The team made it through the night unscathed, worked its way into the top ten, and was able to defend its position in the final third of the race. Ecurie Ecosse eventually finished seventh overall, which meant third place in the fiercely-competitive Pro-Am class. They were followed home one place back by Team Russia by Barwell, who also fought back brilliantly. Leonid Machitski, Jon Minshaw, Jonathan Cocker and Phil Keen started the Ardennes marathon from 30th place. A flawless race saw them climb 22 places to cross the finish line in eighth place.
Alessandro Zanardi, Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler also produced an impressive display on their first outing together at a 24-hour race. Despite heavy rain, Spengler clocked the fastest time of the pre-race warm-up in the number 9 BMW Z4 GT3, which was fielded by ROAL Motorsport. During the night, the car was placed as high as fifth at times. Zanardi, Glock and Spengler were the focal point of a very special motorsport project at Spa-Francorchamps: this was the first time double amputee Zanardi had shared the cockpit with other drivers. The BMW Motorsport engineers had come up with innovative technical solutions to modify the BMW Z4 GT3 for this extraordinary first. With one hour of the race remaining, the trio was running in the top ten until Glock was forced to retire with a technical fault on lap 500.
BMW Sports Trophy Team Brazil completed the outstanding overall result for BMW at Spa-Francorchamps. The number 77 car, with Sergio Jimenez, Felipe Fraga and Cacá Bueno sharing the driving duties, finished 13th. The 24-hour marathon came to a premature end for six BMW teams in total, including the number 45 BMW Z4 GT3 of BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS and the ROAL Motorsport car. The Boutsen/Ginion BMW Z4 GT3 retired during an eventful start phase. Late in the evening, Triple Eight Racing driver Ryan Ratcliffe was involved in a crash, in which his car was so severely damaged that he and team-mates Joe Osborne, Lee Mowle and Dirk Müller were unable to continue. Müller had added his considerable wealth of experience to the Triple Eight Racing team at this endurance classic. Early in the morning, the BMW Z4 GT3 run by Classic & Modern Racing also crashed out. The TDS Racing team, which was in touch with the top ten for many hours, also retired before the end of the race.
Another BMW Z4 GT3 was in action at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The “Marc VDS & Friends Racing Against Cancer” car was raising money for the “Belgian Foundation Against Cancer”. However, Jean-Michel Martin, Pascal Witmeur, Eric van de Poele and Marc Duez held their very own version of the 24-hour race – with four 24-minute stints. In total, the number 240 BMW Z4 GT3 completed 42 laps for the good cause.
Reactions after the 24 Hours of Spa.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“This is a fantastic result for Marc VDS Racing, the BMW Z4 GT3 and BMW Motorsport. Congratulations to the team of Marc van der Straten and Bas Leinders on this long-awaited, richly-deserved victory. To win the home race at Spa-Francorchamps has been the main goal of the entire team for several years. Marc VDS has performed brilliantly for years and has always been capable of competing for top results. The only thing they had missed out on – sometimes by a whisker – was victory. I am extraordinarily pleased that we have now achieved this goal together – and on the BMW Z4 GT3’s last big endurance race.
It was once again an extremely exciting, extremely hard-fought race at this wonderful circuit – from the first lap to the last. Markus Palttala, Nick Catsburg and Lukas Luhr were flawless and made the most of the potential of the BMW Z4 GT3 in every phase of the race. If everything comes together, you have a chance of winning – even in such a tough race. The other BMW Sports Trophy teams also impressed in Spa. For a while we had five BMW Z4 GT3s in the top ten. That shows how competitive our car still is as it reaches the end of its life cycle.
It was a very special race for us, in many regards. Firstly, it is 50 years since a BMW 1800 claimed the first of what is now 22 overall victories for BMW here. Secondly, the appearance of Alex Zanardi, who shared a BMW Z4 GT3 with Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock, was an absolute highlight for us and many fans. It was a real crowd-puller. Unfortunately a technical problem in the final hour of the race meant the car was unable to finish. However, the trio had been very strong until then. Everyone involved did a fantastic job, with a lot of passion and commitment. Although the retirement is obviously a great shame, the project was still a great success. We have had a lot of very positive feedback. I am very proud of the entire team. The outing of the third Marc VDS car for charity was also very successful. The fans had to wait a while for a BMW win at this event. Now it is time to celebrate.”
Bas Leinders (Team Principal, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“I am extremely proud that we can finally celebrate this victory. We have competed at this race with BMW since 2011 and have so often come close. However, for various reasons we have never won until today. We are very happy. We have grown as a team over the years, and have always remained true to our values. Eighty per cent of those involved have been part of our team for five years. We all know each other very well and are like a family. That was one of the keys to this success. We also had an outstanding driver line-up – a strong mixture of BMW works drivers, together with Markus Palttala and Nick Catsburg. They all did an excellent job and we were a really good team. It is 50 years since BMW claimed its first victory at this race, and our triumph now brings us full circle. It has been a fantastic week, and I would like to thank every single person in the team. Everyone contributed to making this possible.”
Lucas Luhr (#46 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“I am overjoyed. BMW has come very close to winning in so many races here. And we were just pipped at the Nürburgring this year. This time it was our turn, though. I am extremely proud of the entire team and BMW Motorsport. It is fantastic to drive the BMW Z4 GT3. A huge compliment goes to the entire team and, of course, to my fellow drivers Markus Palttala and Nicky Catsburg. Everyone did a fantastic job here.”
Markus Palttala (#46 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“I am totally delighted although, being Finnish, I may not look it,. The entire team worked hard to finally win this race. This is my sixth time in Spa with Marc VDS. I have led the race three times, but never been able to finish the job. The 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is something of a home race for me – I live just 20 minutes from here. Therefore, I am overjoyed to stand on the top step of the podium here. The race was far from a stroll in the park for us. We had a number of problems, but things ran more smoothly after dawn. We threw everything into the race, and came out on top. I think we more than deserve this success.”
Nick Catsburg (#46 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“That was an emotional rollercoaster. During the night I was ready to throw in the towel, we were so far off the lead. But we pushed like crazy and suddenly found ourselves leading the race. I am totally happy. The team has been trying everything to win here for years. The fact that it achieved that goal on the last big outing for the BMW Z4 GT3 is just fantastic. Let the celebrating begin!”
Alessandro Zanardi (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“That was quite an exciting 24-hour race and a great experience for me. I tis a shame that we had to retire with one hour remaining, but that kind of thing can happen in such a long race. As far as the performance is concerned, we were the fastest car on the track at times. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport and the guys at ROAL. I have made two new friends in Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler, who are extraordinary racing drivers. The BMW Z4 GT3 is a fantastic car. We will miss it. Its successor, the BMW M6 GT3, will undoubtedly be even better, otherwise BMW would not send it into action.”
Timo Glock (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“It was tough. We just missed out by one hour. Everyone in the team did an awesome job. Everything was actually running smoothly – we just had one minor technical problem in the morning, which we were soon able to solve. The car sounded odd before the retirement – but I could do nothing about it. I feel particularly bad for Alex Zanardi. He deserved to finish the race. I think it has been a fantastic experience for us all. I can still remember how we all met for the first time at the roll-out. It feels as though we have been working together for ten years. Everything worked wonderfully.”
Bruno Spengler (#9 BMW Z4 GT3, ROAL Motorsport):
“It was great fun to share a car with Alex Zanardi and Timo Glock. I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for giving me that opportunity. The livery was also fantastic. I feel sorry for the mechanics, who worked day and night. They really deserved to see us finish the race. As racing drivers, we are obviously disappointed not to have finished. However, we still have the experience we have gained and the memories we all share.”
Augusto Farfus (#45 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“I won the first 24-hour race with the BMW Z4 GT3 in Dubai in 2011, and would have liked to have ended as the winner on the car’s final outing. It looked good for us for long stretches. We had the pace. We then started to push at the crack of dawn, in order to open a lead over the second-placed car. Everything was going to plan. However, then came the shock retirement. After the victory for Lucas, Nick and Markus, everyone at Marc VDS has every reason to celebrate today. Congratulations guys, well done!”

[BMW Power]

Luhr: "The feeling of joy is immense."
BMW has added another chapter to its success story at Spa-Francorchamps: 50 years after the first victory at the 24h race, Nick Catsburg, Markus Palttala and Lucas Luhr secured overall victory number 22 for the manufacturer at this endurance classic.



Three questions for... Lucas Luhr.
Lucas, how would you sum up your emotions after this win?
Lucas Luhr: “I am obviously a bit more composed now, but, to be honest, I was fighting back the tears after the finish. Last year we came so close – and the disappointment was huge when we came up just short. However, this time we came out on top in my second attempt with BMW. The feeling of joy is immense. I obviously feel very bad for our second car. A one-two would have been the icing on the cake. It was obviously a great shame that the number 9 car was unable to finish – as was the retirement of Alex Zanardi and Co. Despite this, on the whole today has been a very good day for BMW.”
What was the key to this success?
Luhr: “The key was this morning, when the sun came out and the track temperature started to rise. Our car really came to life during this phase, and literally went like hell. We had had a few problems at the start, but it then got better from one stint to the next. We had to fight a bit again during the night, and the rollercoaster ride continued. It really was not easy for the engineers to get everything right all the time. However, we cracked it in the morning, and I noticed that we could achieve something special.”
In the end, a two-lap lead makes it look easier than it was …
Luhr: “Yes, but it certainly was not easy. With just half an hour remaining there were quite a few more retirements. When you see that your blood pressure rises again. From the outside, you really cannot imagine how much blood, sweat and tears go into a 24-hour race like this. When the weight finally falls off your shoulders, and you know that you have actually done it, you can let your emotions pour out. Today is a cool day.”