Home race: BMW Motorsport makes its debut at Munich’s Olympic Stadium.

A good year ago – on 15th July 2011 – the BMW M3 DTM Concept Car was presented to the public for the first time at the Show Event. Back then, Andy Priaulx (GB) and Augusto Farfus (BR) were among the crowds at the Olympic Stadium. Like the other four BMW drivers, the BMW Team RBM pairing is now looking forward to taking the BMW M3 DTM out onto the track at this unique venue. Even before the presentation ceremony in the stadium, there will already be a lot to celebrate: Munich’s Olympic Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, as is BMW M.

 

The drivers will go head to head in duels, which will see them battling for tenths of seconds and taking on the crash barriers not far from the BMW headquarters and BMW Welt. The three BMW teams will also have to demonstrate their class by means of pit stops during the races, while team spirit will be the order of the day in the new relay competition.

 

BMW is putting on an exciting fringe programme in the Olympic Park. As well as the action in and around the Olympic Stadium, BMW Welt will also be at the centre of the activities. This is where visitors will be able to show off their driving skills in the BMW M3 Race Simulator, leave a personal message on the BMW Greeting Wall, or start the informative “QR Code Rally”. Anyone who makes it to all the sites around BMW Welt and the BMW Museum is in with a chance of winning attractive prizes and the opportunity to sign one of six BMW M3 DTM rear wings – provided there is still space. These original parts will then be used at the season finale at the Hockenheimring (DE).

 

One special highlight is the BMW Motorsport Fashion Show, which will witness the meeting of fashion and motorsport on Saturday and Sunday. A special exhibition featuring 14 fascinating racing cars from the long and glorious history of BMW Motorsport awaits visitors to the BMW Museum.

Motorsport enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy the same varied programme around the stadium that some fans will already know from the five DTM races so far. They can try their hand at changing a tyre in the BMW Pit Stop Challenge at the BMW Experience World on Coubertinplatz. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the drivers during autograph sessions and demonstrate their DTM knowledge in the BMW Motorsport Quiz.

 

“Following the exciting race at the Norisring we now move on to the next season highlight: there may not be any points up for grabs in Munich’s Olympic Stadium, but this event is obviously very special for us. Munich is the heart of the BMW Group. This is BMW Motorsport’s home. The opportunity to present ourselves in front of the crowds so close to the BMW headquarters and BMW Welt is an incredible motivating factor for everyone in the team. The fans are always at the centre of everything in the DTM, but the crowds can get even closer than usual to the drivers and cars in and around the Olympic Stadium. We obviously want to put on a great show for the fans – and BMW employees, of course – on the track, but also with an exciting programme in the grounds of the Olympic Park and in BMW Welt. The spectators should have fun and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the DTM.”

“Although the event in Munich is primarily about having fun, BMW Team RMG will prepare for it just as meticulously as it does for the other races on the DTM calendar. We owe that to our fans. They are the engine that drives us. Having narrowly missed out on victory at the Norisring, we will be going all out to win in front of our home fans in the Olympic Stadium. First and foremost, however, we want to entertain the spectators on Saturday and Sunday. We have just the right drivers for this in Martin and Joey. Although he is a true professional, Joey is always game for a laugh and, as you’d expect from an American, a real showman. I am particularly looking forward to the many BMW employees, who will finally get the chance to see us at close hand.”

“We have experienced a lot in our long racing history with BMW. However, BMW Team Schnitzer has never raced in a stadium before, so we are really looking forward to this event. We will be faced by a lot of new challenges, but are looking forward to them. We are intrigued as to how the weekend in Munich will pan out.”

“Every weekend we learn more about the DTM, and now a very special lesson awaits us in Munich. We have never competed at an event like this, so I go into the weekend without any specific expectations. There will obviously be a magnificent atmosphere, especially in the home of BMW. I am really looking forward to seeing the DTM cars go head to head in a knock-out format. I am sure it will be fantastic.”

“Bruno Spengler and I are the only BMW drivers who drove in the Olympic Stadium in 2011. It will be a very special event, for many different reasons. For starters, it is our home match, right on the doorstep of BMW Welt and not far from the company’s headquarters. Furthermore, there is bound to be a lot of BMW employees in the stadium creating a unique atmosphere. Although no championship points are awarded for the races in the Olympic Stadium, I am very motivated. We want to put on a great show for the BMW employees and DTM fans, have a lot of fun, and fly the BMW flag.”

“I am looking forward to what awaits me in Munich and will, as always, embrace it all. It is all about having fun and putting on a good show. I’m always up for that. I have never competed at an event at which no points are on offer. That will certainly feel a bit strange. So far we have entertained the fans at every circuit we’ve been to this year. I am sure that will be the case in Munich too.”

“Munich was definitely one of the highlights of the 2011 season for me: obviously because I won, but also due to the amazing atmosphere. This time I reckon I will have even more goose bumps, as it is a home event for BMW. Racing in the middle of the Olympic Stadium is a unique experience. Although no points are up for grabs, all the drivers are even more tense than usual. You cannot afford to make even the slightest mistake.”

“Stadium atmosphere, a home event for BMW, and so close to the fans: this weekend is certainly going to be an experience. Driving in the Olympic Stadium is a journey into the unknown for us, but we are used to that. I am just really looking forward to this event.”

“The event in Munich is a bit like the Race of Champions. Both take place in a stadium. However, the DTM event also includes teamwork and pit stops. It will be great fun. The circuit is very tight, but anything but easy. It will also be a bit unusual for the team. All of a sudden, thousands of people will be watching closely when the guys set to work with their wheel guns. We drivers will also be under pressure. I like these kinds of challenges.”

“It will be a really special weekend for me. It will be exactly one year since it was announced that I would drive for BMW in the DTM. I have never raced in a stadium before, so it will be a totally new experience. We are racing drivers, and even if there are no points on offer, we always want to win. I will have fun, but obviously want to be successful too.”