The BMW Z4 GT3 is ready for possibly its greatest challenge of the 2012 motorsport season: this coming weekend, the iconic Nürburgring-Nordschleife will provide the stage for the 24-hour race for the 40th time.

BMW is closely associated with this event, which was held for the first time in 1970. To date, the company has no fewer than 19 overall victories in the “Green Hell” to its name, making BMW by far the most successful brand in the history of this race. This year, countless teams will once again line up with BMW racing cars at the Nürburgring, and will be looking to write the next chapter in this unique success story. Taking centre stage is the BMW Z4 GT3, with which – among others – two teams supported by BMW Motorsport will be challenging for win number 20: BMW Team Schubert and BMW Team Vita4One.
 

Jörg Müller, Dirk Müller and Uwe Alzen will line up in the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3 for BMW Team Schubert. With almost 200 cars starting in the Eifel Mountains, the three BMW works drivers form one of the most experienced driving teams. Jörg Müller (2004, 2010) and Alzen (2000, 2010) have both triumphed twice on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, while Dirk Müller also knows how it feels to climb onto the top step of the podium, having tasted victory in 2004. Claudia Hürtgen, Dominik Schwager, Nico Bastian and Dirk Adorf will alternate behind the wheel of the sister car, number 20. Adorf is also registered for the number 19 car. 


BMW Team Vita4One lines up with the number 17 BMW Z4 GT3 and drivers Pedro Lamy, Mathias Lauda , Ricardo van der Ende and Frank Kechele. Car number 18 will be driven by BMW Motorsport test and development driver Marco Wittmann, Jens Klingmann and Richard Göransson. Like Adorf in BMW Team Schubert, Lamy is registered for both cars. The privately run Marc VDS Racing team completes the strong BMW contingent in the fiercely-competitive SP9 class, and will also send a BMW Z4 GT3 into action. Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala and Maxime Martin will share the driving duties. Michael Bartels’ team has already tasted success in the hard-fought Blancpain Endurance Series this season.

The official entry list for the 24-hour race includes a total of 49 BMW cars, with BMW drivers represented in nine classes. The largest contingents of the manufacturer’s racing cars can be found in the V4, V5 and V6 categories: eight BMW cars will be battling for the top positions in each of these classes. The diverse range of BMW vehicles lining up at this year’s race is equally as impressive. Just short of 20 different BMW models will be appearing in the “Green Hell”.

The ex-Viana Winfield BMW 745i and 325i Shadowline have been on display at JSN Motors showroom (just off William Nicol Drive, Bryanston) the past month, allowing BMW enthusiasts and customers to oogle at some unique and proudly South African motorsport history.

The ex-Viana Winfield BMW 325i Shadowline has been called back to the Evolution 2 Motorsport workshop, in preperation for the 2012 Knysna Hill Climb. A flat out pace has been instituted in an effort to ensure that the ex-Viana Winfield BMW 325i Shadowline will be ready for it's third trip down to the Knysna Hill Climb. Last year the 325i Shadowline, driven by Robbi Smith, caused a huge stir amongst those in the pit lane and embankments. It was a crowd favorite and a star of the event.

Unfortunately, this year the mighty Pablo Clark Racing BMW 745i will not be making the trip down to Knysna.

“We were very impressed with what took place at the previous years Hill Climbs,” explains Alec Ceprnich. “The event was well supported and respected which was great to see. Hopefully the weather will be warm and sunny, making for some exciting runs up the mountain which will make for spectacular viewing for the spectators”.