ROWE Racing has confirmed its 2023 plans as a BMW works-supported team. The German outfit, headed by Hans-Peter Naundorf will compete in both the Spa and Nürburgring 24 Hours with a pair of BMW M4 GT3s, as well as GT World Challenge Europe.
“ROWE Racing and BMW M Motorsport have been a winning combination for seven years now,” says Naundorf. “An important piece of the puzzle in this success is continuity, which is why it is great for both parties that we are able to continue this partnership. Many thanks to Andreas Roos and customer racing boss Björn Lellmann for the trust placed in us.”
Across its commitments, ROWE’s M4 GT3s will be driven by 11 BMW works drivers.
Like last year, the BMW Junior Team members and BMW M works drivers Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen will take part in the five endurance races in GT World Challenge with the BMW M4 GT3 in the livery of BMW M Motorsport partner Multibank.
In the second car, which will also contest the Endurance Cup rounds Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann and Nick Yelloly will take it in turns at the wheel.
“We want to go on the attack in the GT World Challenge Europe this year, since with this series the SRO presents a huge starting field at the highest sporting level and spectacular races at some of the most well-known racetracks in Europe,” Naundorf adds. “All six of the drivers representing us in the GT World Challenge Europe are familiar with both the car and the team, and we have also scheduled extensive test drives for between the races. For the Nordschleife, returnees Maxime Martin and Dries Vanthoor provide us with two more outstanding drivers.”
Beyond that a further five works drivers will take part in the 24 Hours Nürburgring with the team. In its #98 BMW M4 GT3, Wittmann will be supported by Sheldon van der Linde, Maxime Martin and Dries Vanthoor. In the sister #99 car, Eng and Yelloly will share stints with Connor De Phillippi and Augusto Farfus. In preparation, ROWE Racing will take part in the first three races of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS, formerly VLN) season.
“In the BMW M4 GT3’s second season our clear objective is to do battle for the big wins and titles – and ROWE Racing has an important part to play in this,” says BMW M Motorsport head Andreas Roos. “With their experience in the iconic 24 hour races in particular, the team is always a favourite to win. Our joint successes at Spa-Francorchamps in 2016 and the Nürburgring in 2020 have proved that.
“ROWE Racing also gained valuable experience at the other GT World Challenge Europe races in 2022, and will be our second trump card alongside BMW M Team WRT in the battle for overall wins in this series. I’m looking forward to racing together in the 2023 season, which will hopefully see us have many reasons to celebrate.”
GTWC images courtesy of SRO
