BMW MOTORSPORT NEWS ROUND UP

Whether in the DTM, the American Le Mans Series, or countless other championships: week after week BMW teams and drivers around the world do battle for points, victories and titles. Away from the track too, members of the large BMW Motorsport family around the world are also creating headlines. The “BMW Motorsport News” allows us to regularly summarise all the action for you in a compact and informative manner. This way, you are always up to speed. 

Three questions for … Maxime Martin, the new BMW works driver.

Maxime, as a regular driver in the ALMS and test and development driver in the DTM, you are set to collect a lot of air miles in 2013. Are you looking forward to the new experience?

Maxime Martin: “Yes, very much so. As I still live in Europe and will travel to every race in North America, I will certainly be spending a lot of time on aeroplanes. The jetlag may take a bit of time to get used to, particularly at the beginning. However, I will take that as it comes and I am certain I will cope with it. I am really looking forward to this new challenge.”

Who are your role models?

Martin: “Primarily my father. He was a racing driver himself and drove for BMW Motorsport during the 1989 DTM season, as well as winning the Nürburgring 24 Hours in a BMW M3 in 1992. He even won the 24-hour race in Spa on four occasions. He used to take me with him to the racetracks when I was a kid, so I came into contact with motorsport at a very young age. Nowadays my dad has a BMW dealership in Brussels. Up until last year I used to work for him there.”

What are your goals as a BMW works driver?

Martin: “I have already achieved my first big goal. I always wanted to be a works driver, and now I have managed it. I am really looking forward to the ALMS and will try to win races and titles for BMW.”

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Bruno Spengler visits the Montréal International Auto Show.

DTM champion Bruno Spengler was back in his home country of Canada at the weekend to promote a subject close to his heart – and the DTM. He went on stage at the Montréal International Auto Show for BMW Canada, and spoke about winning the title in BMW Motorsport’s comeback year in this series. He was also present for the unveiling of several new BMW models. These included the modified BMW Z4 Roadster with M sports package, the new BMW 3 Series diesel and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7.

Launch of the BMW Z4 GTE on 12th February in Daytona.

BMW Motorsport will present the BMW Z4 GTE, with which BMW Team RLL will line up in the 2013 season of the American Le Mans Series, on 12th February at the Daytona International Speedway (US). The BMW Z4 GTE will also complete its first demonstration laps at the two-day event. As well as the BMW ALMS drivers, the event will also be attended by BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, BMW NA Motorsports Manager Gordon McDonnell, and team principal Bobby Rahal. 

Priaulx and Martin in action in Daytona.

BMW Motorsport is sending reinforcements from Europe to the 24 Hours of Daytona (US). Andy Priaulx (GB) and Maxime Martin will take their place at the wheel of the two Turner Motorsport BMW M3s on 26th and 27th January, when they will be looking for a good result in the GT class at the endurance classic. Priaulx is no unknown entity in the USA. In 2011 he won the GT class at the 12 Hours of Sebring (US) in a BMW M3 GT. “For a racing driver going to a new circuit is always great, and when it is one that is iconic like Daytona then this is even more exciting,” said Priaulx. “I have always wanted to add this 24-hour race to the list of events on my cv, so when I was offered this chance by Turner Motorsport in the BMW M3 I didn’t have to think twice. It will be all about learning the track quickly, as I have never raced there before. I am grateful to BMW Motorsport for letting me take up this opportunity and I am hoping to be able to notch up another good result for the brand.” New works driver Martin will make his North American racing debut in Daytona.

“We had a very strong squad of BMW drivers for last year’s Rolex 24,” said team principal Will Turner. “I would like to thank BMW Motorsport for supporting us again this year with Andy and Maxime.” Priaulx and Martin will be joined in the Turner Motorsport team by a further six drivers: BMW ALMS driver Bill Auberlen (US), Boris Said (US), Paul Dalla Lana (CA), Billy Johnson (US), Michael Marsal (US) and Gunter Schaldach (CA).

Source BMW Motorsport

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