News

BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert put in another good display at the final test ahead of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (DE). Dominik Baumann (AT), Claudia Hürtgen (DE) and Jens Klingmann (DE) recovered to finish fourth in the number 20 BMW Z4 GT3 after being spun by a rival at the start, meaning they had to fight their way through the entire field. 

Lucas Luhr (DE), Dirk Müller (DE), Alexander Sims (GB) and Dirk Werner (DE) were also well-placed until the number 19 car suffered a puncture upon entering the Nordschleife, so dashing any hopes the quartet may have had. They eventually had to settle for 19th place. The fourth round of the VLN Endurance Championship was suspended after just over three of the four hours scheduled following a crash. The highlight of the endurance season – the Nürburgring 24 Hours – will take place on 21st/22nd June. 

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager Schubert Motorsport): “The big challenge throughout the entire preparations for the 24-hour race has been to adapt to the tyres from one race to the next. They have behaved differently every time and constantly demanded a lot of set-up work. We will also have to deal with this topic over the five weeks in the run-up to the big race. Generally speaking, however, we are very happy with our preparations – although we were unlucky at the start of today’s race, and then again with the late puncture on the number 19 car. The fightback produced by the number 20 car was fantastic. Our great first pit stop, in particular, put us right back in the race for a place on the podium.” 

Alexander Sims (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 19): “I was unlucky in both of my stints today. First I suffered a slow puncture at the start of the Nordschleife just three laps in, and had to driver very slowly for a complete lap. That was a set-back, after which we did not have a chance. Then, shortly after I returned to the track after the tyre change, the race was suspended. Because of this, I hardly got to do any driving today. That makes me all the happier that I was able to use the races beforehand to gain as much experience with the car and on the track. I feel well prepared for the 24 Hours.” 

Dominik Baumann (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20): “I got an awful lot out of this race again. I had loads of duels on the Nordschleife – more than in all the races up to that point put together. That was obviously also down to the fact that we had to work our way through the field after the early spin. However, we did that very well. The performance of the car is good. I think we are ready for the big day in five weeks.”