Munich. Nürburgring (GER), Le Mans (FRA), Spa-Francorchamps (BEL): June is all about three 24-hour classics in one month for BMW M Motorsport. It kicks off on 1st/2nd June with the 52nd edition of the 24h Nürburgring. BMW M Team RMG and ROWE Racing will field three BMW M4 GT3s with the goal of securing BMW’s 21st overall victory at the Eifel marathon. The three SP9 Pro cars will be driven by a strong line-up of ten BMW M works drivers. Additionally, the 24h Nürburgring is part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) this year.
In the #72 BMW M4 GT3 from BMW M Team RMG, three members of the newly established Gen2K (BMW M works drivers born in or after 2000) will be competing: Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), and Charles Weerts (BEL). Harper and Hesse will be racing with the Stefan Reinhold-led team for the fourth time, while Weerts makes his debut at the 24h Nürburgring. The #72 BMW M4 GT3 livery, designed by BMW M Motorsport Premium Technology Partner Shell, is especially striking at night as illuminated foil creates special visual effects in the dark.
ROWE Racing will field two BMW M4 GT3s in the 2024 ‘Eifel marathon’. In the #98 car, which finished second in 2023, Marco Wittmann (GER) and Maxime Martin (BEL) will once again compete, now joined by their BMW M works driver colleagues Raffaele Marciello (SUI) and Augusto Farfus (BRA). Wittmann, Marciello, and Martin already secured a second-place podium finish at the 24h Qualifiers in April.
Farfus will take on a dual role on the Nordschleife this year, also starting in the #99 car. His three colleagues in that BMW M4 GT3 are Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Dries Vanthoor (BEL), who were also part of the #98 podium crew in 2023, along with Robin Frijns (NED).
For the BMW M works drivers and BMW M Motorsport, this year is not just about the overall success at the Eifel classic, but also about scoring points for the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings in the IGTC. The 24h Nürburgring, the second round of the season following the opener at Bathurst (AUS), is part of the IGTC calendar for the first time. Marciello and Martin have already collected important points with a fourth-place finish in the BMW M4 GT3 from BMW M Team WRT at Bathurst in February.
In addition to BMW M Team RMG and ROWE Racing with their three BMW M4 GT3s, numerous BMW teams with a total of 33 different vehicles will once again compete in the various classes, including ten BMW M4 GT4s, six BMW M240i Racings, and other models.
At the ring°boulevard: New BMW M4 GT3 EVO and BMW M4 GT4 EVO.
Before the BMW M4 GT3 battles for the 21st overall victory for BMW at the Nürburgring, its successor will take centre stage at the same venue. Starting Thursday, 30th May, the new BMW M4 GT3 EVO will be presented to the public in the BMW M Showroom at the ring°boulevard. The new BMW M4 GT4 EVO will also be on display there.
Media representatives interested in a detailed car presentation of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO during the 24-hour weekend can contact Laura Claesgens (laura.claesgens@bmw.de) or Andrea Schwab (andrea.schwab@bmw.de) in advance via email.
Quotes ahead of the 24h Nürburgring:
Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “A month full of 24-hour highlights awaits us, starting at BMW M’s home. There is probably no racetrack that is as closely linked to the history of BMW M Motorsport as the Nordschleife. After finishing second last year, our goal now is to continue the success story of 20 victories at the 24h Nürburgring. The preparation time was quite short this year. However, we were able to do a lot of important work during tests and the Qualifiers, and our teams are real Nordschleife specialists. In addition, we have a strong line-up of our BMW M works drivers, which combines a lot of experience in this special race and very good speed in the BMW M4 GT3. If we now also have the necessary racing luck, we have very good chances. Alongside our three SP9 Pro vehicles, numerous BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers will compete in various classes, and I wish them all the best of luck in the ‘Green Hell’. Before the race, we’re also excited to present our new BMW M4 GT3 EVO. It represents the future, not only on the Nordschleife but on tracks worldwide. The new BMW M4 GT4 EVO will also be at the Nürburgring. My thanks go to everyone at BMW M Motorsport who worked long and hard to ensure that these new BMW M race cars will conquer the tracks soon.”
Stefan Reinhold (Team Principal BMW M Team RMG): “As a team from the Eifel region, we can hardly wait for our home race at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. We’ve been working closely with Max and Dan for years, forming a well-oiled team. We’ve also collaborated closely and well with our new driver Charles during the preparation period, allowing him to perfectly adapt to our team and the BMW M4 GT3 on the Nordschleife. The Qualifiers in April were a good test run, allowing us to sort out many things regarding setup. Now it gets serious, and we’re looking forward to the start of the 24-hour race. We are well-prepared, eager to give the fans a good show, and aiming for a top result at our home race.”
Hans-Peter Naundorf (Team Principal ROWE Racing): “The 24h Nürburgring is the first major highlight of the season. It is commendable that this race is also part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge for the first time, which now really includes legendary tracks that befit such a series. This year at the Nürburgring, we aim to climb one step higher on the podium than last time. That is our big goal, which we have worked towards for 12 months.”
Max Hesse (#72 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team RMG): “I’m really looking forward to the 24h Nürburgring. Along with the 24h Spa, it’s the most interesting and biggest racing week of the year for us. In recent years, we have always been very fast there, but unfortunately, we couldn’t bring it home for various reasons. That’s our goal this year. With Charles, we have a new line-up, and together with BMW M Team RMG, we are highly motivated. The team has done a great job preparing the car. I’m also looking forward to the many fans along the track. It will surely be a cool week!”
Raffaele Marciello (#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing): “I’m very excited for my first 24h Nürburgring with BMW M Motorsport and ROWE Racing. We have prepared well, and I feel ready. We have a very strong team and very strong team-mates. This is a race I have never won, and I hope to achieve it this year. It won’t be easy, but we will work hard to reach our goal.”
Sheldon van der Linde (#99 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing): “I’m looking forward to the 24-hour race. This will be my fourth time competing with ROWE Racing, and we have a great line-up with Robin and Dries, and Augusto driving both cars so we have a lot of Nordschleife experience and a strong line-up. I’m very confident that we can achieve a good result. I’ve been third and second at the Nürburgring a few times, and the win is certainly on my wish list. I feel this could be the year.”
The BMW M4 GT3 line-ups at a glance:
#72 BMW M4 GT3, BMW M Team RMG
Max Hesse (GER)
Dan Harper (GBR)
Charles Weerts (BEL)
#98 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing
Raffaele Marciello (SUI)
Maxime Martin (BEL)
Marco Wittmann (GER)
Augusto Farfus (BRA)
#99 BMW M4 GT3, ROWE Racing
Robin Frijns (NED)
Sheldon van der Linde (RSA)
Dries Vanthoor (BEL)
Augusto Farfus (BRA)