Podium for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS at dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours – Adrenalin Motorsport wins in the BMW M235i Racing.

BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS heads into the final phase of preparations for the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE) on 21st/22nd June with another podium to its name. The number 25 BMW Z4 GT3, driven by Uwe Alzen (DE) and Jörg Müller (DE), finished second at the fourth round of the VLN Endurance Championship in the “Green Hell”. This was the Belgian team’s third appearance on the podium, following its victories at the qualifying race for the 24 Hours and the third round of the 2014 VLN. Dirk Adorf (DE), Nick Catsburg (NL) and Bas Leinders (BE) came home tenth in the number 26 car.

BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert finished fourth and 19th with its two cars. Dominik Baumann (AT), Claudia Hürtgen (DE) and Jens Klingmann (DE) produced an impressive fightback. Hürtgen was spun round shortly after the start, and dropped well back down the field as a consequence. Despite this, the number 20 BMW Z4 GT3 still managed to fight back to within striking distance of the podium. Lucas Luhr (DE), Dirk Müller (DE), Alexander Sims (GB) and Dirk Werner (DE) were hindered by a puncture, and classified 19th after just over three of the scheduled four hours of racing. The 45th Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy had to be suspended after a crash on the Döttinger Höhe section of the track.

Victory in the third round of the BMW M235i Racing Cup class went to Adrenalin Motorsport, who were leading when the race was suspended. This was the second win of the season for Daniel Zils (DE), Norbert Fischer (DE) and Uwe Ebertz (DE). Second and third place went to the Walkenhorst Motorsport and Scheid-Partl Motorsport teams.

Jörg Müller (2nd place, Number 25 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“It is a shame the final test before the 24-hour race was suspended, as we actually still wanted to do a tyre test at the end of the race. However, we now know our BMW Z4 GT3 so well and enjoyed such a smooth preparation that we can look ahead to the highlight of the season in five weeks with a good feeling. I am heading to Japan for another race before then, but will then be counting down the days to the Nürburgring 24 Hours.”

Dominik Baumann (4th place, Number 20 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert):
“I got an awful lot out of this race again. I had loads of duels on the Nordschleife – more than in all the races up to that point put together. That was obviously also down to the fact that we had to work our way through the field after the early spin. However, we did that very well. The performance of the car is good. I think we are ready for the big day in five weeks.”

Bas Leinders (10th place, Number 26 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):

“Our preparation was absolutely perfect. We finished with both cars, have won twice, and had no problems with the reliability of the BMW Z4 GT3. We gathered an awful lot of data. And even the weather played ball, which obviously helped with the set-up work. We would actually have liked the odd lap more in the rain, but should that happen at the 24-hour race, and we still have enough time to adapt to it.”

Alexander Sims (19th place, Number 19 BMW Z4 GT3, BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert):

“I was unlucky in both of my stints today. First I suffered a slow puncture at the start of the Nordschleife just three laps in, and had to drive very slowly for a complete lap. That was a set-back, after which we did not have a chance. Then, shortly after I returned to the track after the tyre change, the race was suspended. Because of this, I hardly got to do any driving today. That makes me all the happier that I was able to use the races beforehand to gain as much experience with the car and on the track. I feel well prepared for the 24 Hours.”

Christoph Breuning (Technical Manager Adrenalin Motorsport, 1st place BMW M235i Racing Cup class):

“That was another extremely close race in our class. The top teams’ cars are virtually identical in terms of performance. This time we took a risk and stayed out one lap longer before the fuel stop than our rivals – and that risk paid off. This meant we had our nose in front when the race was suspended. We are obviously delighted, and it is very encouraging looking ahead to the big 24-hour race.”