(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.
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.
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.
Official Release: Authentic driving pleasure is not just for the real world – as Auto Club Revolution , the new online racing game and car community for PC, demonstrates. Different BMW models can be configured for driving according to personal preferences. The online game from British game developer Eutechnyx features the BMW 1 Series M Coupé, the BMW 135i, the BMW M3 Coupé, the BMW M5 and the BMW Z4 M Coupé.
What an experience it must be to own a piece of BMW history, a classic roadster or coupe would be a thrill and turn head’s everywhere it journeys. Thanks to BMW Classic and the BMW Museum you do not have to own such a car. Beginning this weekend you can be chauffeured around BMW highlights throughout Munich in one maintained by BMW.
For three hours you and two other passengers can experience something very few are able to do- ride in BMW history and style on public roads without a worry. Considering the package, the reasonable rates as well. The €120 price of admission includes the BMW Factory and BMW Museum in addition to the car, driver and stop at BMW Classic for a tour and small bite to eat.
Claudia Hürtgen, Dominik Schwager and Dirk Adorf crossed the line in second place at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, while team-mates Uwe Alzen and Nico Bastian came home behind them in third place. Victory went to Porsche drivers Jochen Krumbach and Marc Lieb.
The number 19 car, which finished third on Saturday, had started the season with a fine win two weeks ago – and for a long time victory number two seemed well within the grasps of the BMW Z4 GT3. Closely watched by BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt who was on site, Alzen and Bastian had led for long periods of the race and were the only car among the front-runners to have come in for their third and final pit stop when the DMV 4-Hour Race was forced to abort the race prematurely due to heavy hail. As a result, the two BMW Team Schubert drivers dropped back from first to third place. Despite this, the general feeling in BMW Team Schubert was one of great satisfaction after another strong performance in the legendary “Green Hell”, which will host the 40th running of the Nürburgring 24 Hours on 19th and 20th May 2012.
With a second place GT class finish by the No. 56 BMW Team RLL M3 GT in today’s American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race, BMW is tied for the manufacturer’s point lead. The second podium of the young ALMS season for Joey Hand and Dirk Müller solidifies their lead in the driver’s standings.
Official Release: BMW Motorsport and Akrapovič will line up as partners in the 2012 DTM season. The logo of the leading manufacturer of high-quality exhaust systems for motorcycles and high-performance cars will be visible on five of the six BMW M3 DTM cars that will take to the track for BMW when the series gets underway at the Hockenheimring (DE) on 29th April 2012.
Akrapovič is also one of the world’s leading companies in composite components and the innovative use of superalloys.
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Sections: DTM, Official News Apr 28th, 2012 No Comments 
