BMW Motorsport scores podium finish in second VLN race.

Nürburgring - Following the one-two achieved in the season opener of the VLN Endurance Championship, BMW Motorsport also finished on the podium in the second race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (DE). Dirk Müller (DE), Dirk Werner (DE) and Dirk Adorf (DE) came third in the no. 43 BMW M3 GT after 28 laps. Augusto Farfus (BR), Jörg Müller (DE) and Pedro Lamy (PT) finished fifth with the number 42 car. Victory in the 36th DMV 4-hour race went to Mercedes’ Chris Mamerow (DE) and Armin Hahne (DE).

Starting from 14th (no. 42) and 16th (no. 43) respectively on the grid, the opening stint drivers, Lamy and Werner, managed to gain a considerable amount of ground in the first phase of the race. Then Farfus and Dirk Müller, as well as Jörg Müller and Adorf, consolidated the BMW M3 GT cars’ positions in the leading group, along the way being involved in some exciting duels with the eventual winners and the second-placed Porsche of the Manthey team. Final stint driver Lamyeventually brought the no. 42 car home in fifth, while Adorf secured another podium for the no. 43 BMW M3 GT, crossing the line in third.

Charly Lamm (Team Manager): “We were able to make full use of Friday’s test session and today’s race to develop our BMW M3 GT cars further. For instance, we did a lot of tyre testing and tried out various set-up options. The podium finish is a nice reward for the team’s hard work. The reliability of our cars looks very promising. We are going in the right direction.”

Dirk Müller (Car number 43): “This has been a great weekend. Following the tests and today’s race I feel really comfortable on the Nordschleife. The pace of the car was good, and we were able to try a lot of things. Lots of fans were out there today, and the atmosphere was, once again, fantastic.”

Dirk Werner (Car number 43): “From 16th on the grid, you always need to make sure to first of all make it safely through the hectic starting phase. We achieved this, and I’m really happy to be on the podium. When everybody had found their rhythm, I managed to gain some positions. The BMW M3 GT ran flawlessly and the Dunlop tyres worked very well.”

Dirk Adorf (Car number 43): “I’m really happy that I stood on the podium so soon after my first VLN race this year. During the final laps, the Mercedes got closer and closer, and I had to reach deep into the box of tricks to keep him behind me. This worked out fine. This was a great race in front of a great crowd.”

Augusto Farfus (Car number 42): “The competition was stronger today than it had been in the VLN season opener. Nevertheless we managed to battle it out with our rivals at the top of the field. With every lap of the Nordschleife we learn and improve. This is very important in this phase of the season. It’s great for the many BMW fans here that our team-mates made it onto the podium.”

Jörg Müller (Car number 42): “My stint was good. The BMW M3 GT ran like clockwork, and we didn’t have any technical issues whatsoever. It’s always great to race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, but today the atmosphere was outstanding. This was the perfect proof of why the VLN series is so popular with the fans.”

Pedro Lamy (Car number 42): “It’s not easy to start such a race right in the middle of the pack. But I found my rhythm quickly and was able to pass several cars. Again we learned a lot in this race. For me personally it was nice to make my return to the Nordschleife. I like this track very much.”