The return of BMW to the DTM from 2012 is reality. This was confirmed by the
company during the DTM race weekend at the Hockenheimring. In April this year
BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the
first time since its departure from the series in 1994. The Board of Management
of BMW AG considers conditions tied to a positive decision to return to the
popular touring car series have now been met.
In recent months BMW has
been working with the DTM umbrella organization ITR e.V. and the other
manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical
regulations, and the long-term internationalization of the championship. The
positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning
its DTM comeback in greater detail.
Dr Klaus Draeger,
member of the Board of Management of BMW AG with responsibility for development,
says: "The return of BMW to the DTM is a fundamental part of the restructuring
of our motorsport activities. With its increased commitment to production car
racing, BMW is returning to its roots. The race track is the perfect place to
demonstrate the impressive sporting characteristics of our vehicles against our
core competitors in a high-powered environment. The DTM is the ideal stage on
which to do this."
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen comments: "The
entire team at BMW Motorsport is approaching this exciting project with absolute
commitment. We began making technical preparations following our declaration of
intent in April, and established parameters for a high-performance vehicle
concept for deployment in the DTM. The positive decision of the BMW Board of
Management means we can now shift up a gear and give the green light for
development."
Hans Werner Aufrecht, 1st Chairman of the Board of ITR e.V.
(DTM commercial rights holder and promoter): "We welcome the decision by BMW to
enter the DTM from 2012. This is a further milestone for the future of our
popular racing series, and proves that our efforts over the past few years have
paid off. We laid the foundation for this in conjunction with the DMSB and the
existing DTM manufacturers, namely Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Thus I would like to
heartily thank all parties. I am personally looking forward to again seeing the
three premium brands of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz competing against each other
on the race track. Our fans have waited a long time for this."
The
intention is to use the BMW M3 as the basic DTM vehicle, a car that has enjoyed
unique successes in the field of touring and sports car racing in the past. Eric
van de Poele (BE) and Roberto Ravaglia (IT) celebrated two DTM titles with the
racing version of BMW's most sporty representative back in 1987 and 1989, while
before that Volker Strycek (DE) won the DTM premiere in 1984 in the BMW 635 CSi.
This season the current BMW M3 GT2 caused a sensation in the world of
international endurance racing, taking victory in the 24-hour race at the
Nürburgring (DE).