Current Blancpain Endurance Series Teams Champions – BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS – have opted to change their GT commitments in 2014 and will focus on the VLN championship, as well as the 24 hour races at the Nürburgring and Spa.
Their assault on the VLN championship will consist of the opening four rounds leading up to the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring and the series’ test. 2014 will also see them compete in the inaugural qualifying race for the ADAC Zürich Nürburgring 24 Hours.
In terms of the Blancpain Endurance Series, the team will not defend their crown, and have no current plans to race in any rounds of the series outside of the Total 24 Hours of Spa.
The Belgian team are to be factory supported by BMW once again, and will continue to run BMW Z4 GT3s. While their driver line-up for Spa is still to be determined they have announced who will make up their two car entry at the ‘Ring 24, as they attempt to improve on their second overall in the 2013 race.
Belgian ace Maxime Martin, Uwe Alzen, Jörg Müller and Marco Wittmann will pilot their #25 Z4. The #26, meanwhile, will see VDS stalwart Markus Palttala being joined by Nick Catsburg, Team Principle Bas Leinders and N24 veteran Dirk Adorf.
“For us, 2014 is all about doing the right preparation in order to be in the best possible position to win these huge races,” said Leinders. “24-hour races are so difficult, so demanding, that no matter your preparation you can never be sure of anything. We were very competitive in the last couple of years in both races, so we can be sure the pressure is on this time round!
“We’ve learned a lot in the last couple of years, in terms of our knowledge of the car and each other as a team, and now I think we are as ready as ever.”
