(Official Release) In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the “Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers” was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile on one prediction: They were convinced that anyone who “wants to be a key player in the A Team needs to be turbocharged under the bonnet”. Not true. The BMW M3 had a naturally aspirated engine. And it became the most successful touring car in the history of BMW.
(Official Release) With just two days to go before the first race of the season at the Hockenheimring (DE), BMW Motorsport’s sixth “Premium Partner” for the DTM project has been confirmed: Samsung will support BMW as it returns to this racing series after an absence of almost 20 years. Joey Hand (US) will line up in the SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM. The design of his car features the Korean company’s distinctive blue colour. Samsung is a global leader in the manufacture of semiconductors, telecommunications, digital media and high-tech electronics.
So your not in Germany and want to watch BMW’s first race in 20 years? It is possible online. Speed2.com will be broadcasting live but you must have a TV provider that is able to login to the site. Don’t have one of those providers, not a problem. It is streamed live at the DTM TV site here. Can’t watch it live? Then check out Sports Show DTM or Ard.de.
We’ll also have full coverage here at BimmerFile and continue our No Spoiling tradition. Stay tuned.
Official Release: Hockenheim,Germany April 28th, 2012. Dirk Werner (DE) finished third in the DTM qualifying at the Hockenheimring (DE) at the wheel of his E-POSTBRIEF BMW M3 DTM. The BMW Team Schnitzer driver led the pack of strong BMW drivers, with four out of six making it into the top-ten. The first DTM pole position of the year went to Audi driver Mattias Ekström (SE).
Andy Priaulx (GB) will start from seventh on Sunday’s grid in his Crowne Plaza Hotels BMW M3 DTM, with Bruno Spengler (CA) behind him in ninth in the BMW Bank M3 DTM. Next to him on row five of the grid is reigning DTM champion Martin Tomczyk (DE, BMW M Performance Parts M3 DTM), who will start from tenth. Joey Hand (US, SAMSUNG BMW M3 DTM) and Augusto Farfus (BR, Castrol EDGE BMW M3 DTM) qualified in 16th and 19th respectively.
In summery conditions and temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius, the six BMW drivers went up against the opposition for the first time in the four-part DTM qualifying format. Spengler was the first to demonstrate that the BMW M3 DTM is competitive, clocking top times in the first and second qualifying sections. However, a technical problem on his car hindered the Canadian on his crucial flying lap in Q3. Team-mate Werner stepped up to the mark, making it into Q4 and completing a generally excellent qualifying for BMW by claiming third place on the grid.
We’re just days away from seeing BMW back in the ultimate form of touring car racing. To celebrate BMW has put together a preview of the car and the team.
It has been twenty years since BMW last raced in DTM. That is a long time to sit out of one of the world’ most watched racing series. In terms of performance and how the aero keeps you pinned to the track, most drivers we’ve talked to say it one step below Formula 1. That is a pretty bold statement but these driver’s stand by it and insist that Suzie Wolff (driver of the Pink Mercedes DTM car) being a development driver for Williams F1 helps prove that point. Top speeds can approach over 180mph on some tracks, the aero allows high speed turns and the huge carbon fiber binders allow deep braking and scrub speed quick. With 22 cars on the grid it makes for an exciting situation- especially since there are no driver changes and two pitstops are mandatory.
Having covered many ALMS races here at BimmerFile we are excited to take part in BMW’s return to DTM- following the teams around Europe as best we can to take in the events and races. This past weekend in Wiesbaden there were over 200,000 fans during the open celebration- and that is not even a race day! Coverage on the TV stateside is limited but we will do our best to bring you clips and video. Stay tuned for more BMW DTM action this weekend from Hockenheim!
Official Release: The waiting is over: this weekend, BMW Motorsport will line up at the iconic Hockenheimring (DE) for the first race of its comeback season in the DTM. After an absence of almost 20 years, BMW is returning to the series to face a new challenge with three teams and six BMW M3 DTM cars. The race on Sunday marks the return of the BMW M3 to the DTM. The racing version of the sports car made its debut 25 years ago, and promptly won the DTM title at the first attempt. Now, as BMW M celebrates its 40th anniversary, the car is back again to perform in front of its many fans in the DTM.
The rein of the M3 in it’s current E92 form as a factory racer is officially over at the ‘Ring. M has made it official with the announcement that the 2012 24 Hours of the Nurburgring will be contested by the Z4 GT3 and not the M3 as it has been for the past few years. But perhaps even more interesting (and surely due to BMW’s involvement in the DTM series this year) it will be the Schubert BMW Team that will be running the team for BMW M.
Official Release: The BMW Z4 GT3 will be representing the BMW Motorsport colours at this year’s 24 Hours Nürburgring. Expectations will, of course, be very high for the fortieth anniversary of BMW Motorsport.
This year too, the Schubert BMW team will be taking their places on the Nürburgring with the BMW Z4 GT3. Owing to their DTM commitment, the Schnitzer BMW team will be unable to pilot the BMW M3 GT at this year’s 24 Hours. The Schubert team have therefore set themselves the target of overall victory with the BMW Z4 GT3. And BMW Motorsport will be giving them all the support they need for this target. All of them experienced BMW Plant racers, BMW Driving Experience Chief Instructor Claudia Hürtgen, Dirk Adorf, Uwe Alzen, Dirk Müller, Jörg Müller, Nico Bastian, and Dominik Schwager will be piloting the two BMW Z4 GT3 models in the BMW Motorsport colours.
At BimmerFile we are fans of BMW doing what as a brand it has done for many decades; racing. Whether it is in ALMS, WTCC by works teams or privateers in E30 spec- we love it. BMW has been out of DTM for two decades and while the US is not so familiar with the European racing series it soon will be as talks continue to be ongoing for establishing a worldwide series- from Japan to the US and everything in between. In the meantime we are covering DTM from head to toe- including what the cars will be wearing.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M3\\, ALMS, DTM, Motorsport, Nürburgring, Official News Apr 28th, 2012 2 Comments 
