The BMW M4 GT3 is set to get its first US race start ahead of 2022 release to customer teams in next month’s 24H Sebring which will also see the new car raced by non-factory drivers, and on Hankook tyres for the first time.
Turner Motorsport’s Bill Auberlen and Robbie Foley will be joined by Bimmerworld regular James Clay and two thirds of the successful 2021 BMW Junior squad, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen for the event from 12-14 November.
The BMW Junior pair, together with the third man on their successful NLS squad Dan Harper (who is prevented from joining the team by his Gold FIA ranking and the available combinations for the squad) will spend the first part of their US trip observing the BMW Team RLL and Turner Motorsport efforts at Petit Le Mans as part of their development programme.
Thos efforts incidentally, represent the final appearances in Pro competition of both the BMW M8 GTE and M6 GT3 in North America.
The development of BMW Junior Team, which started in 2020 in the BMW M240i Racing and BMW M4 GT4 in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), continued in 2021 with the BMW M6 GT3, run by BMW Team RMG.
That campaign yielded victories in races four and five of the season on the Nordschleife, backed up by one second place and a third place in the second half of the season.
The next step for the BMW Junior Team in 2022 is the BMW M4 GT3 with a campaign now planned which is targeting overall victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with BMW Motorsport’s new GT3 flagship.
Jochen Neerpasch, mentor to the BMW Junior Team: “BMW Junior Team has developed rapidly. From the BMW M240i Racing and the BMW M4 GT4 to the BMW M6 GT3, they have only ever needed a few races to achieve success. In my opinion, that can be traced back to our team building. As a team, they learn a huge amount from each other and thus develop faster than other racing drivers who are on their own. I am sure that the three of them are now capable of winning the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.”
Stefan Reinhold, team principal BMW Team RMG: “For us as a team from the Eifel region, it was obviously fantastic to finally go racing and taste success on the Nordschleife. In this regard, the season has been great. We saw at the 24-hour race that our young drivers can mix it with the best. After that, they have consistently been among the front-runners, and we have claimed our first victories. That makes us both happy and proud.”
Dan Harper on the NLS season: “Fortunately, we have had more highs than lows this season. We could never have dreamed that we would still be in contention to win a title in the final race so we can take a lot of positives from the year. Our learning curve has been very steep and we have gained valuable experience, as drivers and a team. That will definitely make us stronger in the future.”
Max Hesse on the NLS season: “We gained an awful lot of experience in the NLS season and have developed massively as racing drivers and a team. Second place in the Speed Trophy is a good result, even if it is obviously a shame that we lost the title due to a crash in the final race.”
Max Hesse on his start in Sebring: “The start at Sebring is a superb opportunity for us. Personally, I have never raced in the USA, so to do that in the new BMW M4 GT3 and at such an iconic circuit is mega. Hopefully, the weather will play ball and we will have our first full 24-hour race, after the race at the Nürburgring was cut short.”
Neil Verhagen on the NLS season: “I think we can be very proud of what we achieved this season, despite the unfortunate way it ended. A huge thank you goes to BMW Team RMG for the fantastic work and support. We have all proved that we are not only young trainees driving anywhere, but that we belong among the best. It was not easy to learn everything in our first year in a GT3 race car, but Dan, Max and I helped each other a lot. We worked perfectly as the BMW Junior Team.”
Neil Verhagen on his start in Sebring: “I cannot describe how excited I am about racing in my home country in the BMW M4 GT3. I have dreamed of racing in the USA again for years. My parents will be at Sebring to watch me drive the new BMW M4 GT3. That is going to be a very special experience for me.”
