News

There is still an air of joy following last weekend’s podium at the opening VLN race of the year, but preparations for this weekend’s qualifying race for the Nürburgring 24 Hours (DE) are already in full swing. BMW Sports Trophy Team Schubert is working particularly hard to prepare the number 19 BMW Z4 GT3 following its crash last Saturday. 

That car will be driven during Sunday’s 6-hour race and the day and night practice sessions by Dirk Werner (DE), Lucas Luhr (DE), Alexander Sims (GB) and, for the first time this season, Dirk Müller (DE). Dominik Baumann (AT), Claudia Hürtgen (DE) and Jens Klingmann (DE) will alternate at the wheel of the number 20 BMW Z4 GT3. 

Stefan Wendl (Team Manager Schubert Motorsport): “This weekend we are taking full advantage of the opportunity to assemble all our drivers – apart from Martin Tomczyk – to complete some night drives, carry out seat tests, and rehearse the kind of processes that occur during a race weekend. We were delighted with the podium at the opening VLN race. We have great confidence in our package and had hoped we would be up there at the front of the field from the word go. This proved to be the case, although the fact that we were two minutes behind Audi also showed quite clearly that we still have a lot to do. Unfortunately the number 19 car is severely damaged following Saturday’s crash. We are working flat-out to ensure it is able to line up in perfect condition this weekend.” 

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 19): “I am really looking forward to my first outing of the season on the Nordschleife. I cannot wait to get back behind the wheel of a car. I was in close contact with the team last weekend, and am completely up to speed with everything. As such, it should be easy to adapt to the circuit and the car.”

Claudia Hürtgen (BMW Z4 GT3, car number 20): “I was delighted with my team-mates’ podium at the first VLN race of the year. I now travel to the Nürburgring with a good feeling, and knowing that the car is competitive. The test and set-up sessions allowed me to get used to the circuit and the BMW Z4 GT3, so I should be able to find my feet quickly in the cockpit. The 6-hour race is a good opportunity for us all to do some testing, and one that we want to take full opportunity of.”