Whether in the DTM, the United SportsCar Championship, 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.
World debut for the BMW M235i Racing in Las Vegas.
The venue for this week’s world debut of the BMW M235i Racing was just as spectacular as its future stomping ground – the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE): the newly-developed, entry-level racing car was presented to the international public for the first time at the “Las Vegas Motor Speedway” (US). Among those present was Martin Tomczyk (DE), who will race for BMW Team Schnitzer in the 2014 DTM. He was also involved in the development of the new car.
Three questions for … Martin Tomczyk.
Martin, you were in Las Vegas for the official launch of the BMW 235i Racing. How was the reaction from the media?
Martin Tomczyk: “The feedback was more than positive. The designers’ illustrations really whet the appetite, but the BMW M235i Racing actually looks even more impressive in the flesh. Most journalists would have preferred to have taken it straight out onto the track. I have already had that privilege – and it is great fun pushing this car to the limit.”
Do you think this car will do well on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife?
Tomczyk: “Of course. BMW and the Nordschleife go hand in hand anyway, and it is great to see a new car like this breathing new life into this long tradition. For those starting out in motorsport, it will be a joy to taken on the ‘Green Hell’ in the BMW M235i Racing. The new format of the BMW M235i Racing Cup is also extremely interesting – and exactly what BMW fans want to see at the Ring.”
You are racing for BMW Team Schnitzer in the 2014 DTM. How are you approaching the season in a new team?
Tomczyk: “I am really looking forward to the 2014 season. The Bavarian ‘trio’ of BMW Motorsport, BMW Team Schnitzer and myself is a nice combination. For this reason, I hope we are able to mix it with the front runners right from the word go. My goal remains to win the DTM title with BMW. I am really motivated to take another step towards this goal in 2014.”
“Gala der Meister” 2014: BMW Motorsport well represented at the DMSB award ceremony.
In keeping with tradition, the Deutsche Motor Sport Bund (DMSB – German Motor Sport Federation) recognised the performances of the most successful drivers, teams and manufacturers of the past DTM season on Saturday. BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt was presented with the trophy for the champion manufacturer by DMSB President, Hans-Joachim Stuck (DE), at the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden (DE). Augusto Farfus (BR), who made the trip from Brazil to Germany especially to be at the gala evening, and Bruno Spengler (CA) were honoured for their second and third places in the Drivers’ Championship. Bart Mampaey (BE) was there on behalf of BMW Team RBM to collect the trophy for finishing second in the team competition. “Three of the best manufacturers in the world go head to head in the DTM,” said Marquardt. “Given this, I am very proud that we were able to defend the title we won in 2012.”
Check out the car gallery below:
