BMW Motorsport reveals DTM team

For the past several months, BMW Motorsport has been developing and assembling a car as part ofits return to DTM, and has now revealed the teams which will compete in the series.

Three two-car teams will race an M3 vehicle in the series; the experienced production car racing teams BMW Team RBM and BMW Team Schnitzer, and newly formed team Reinhold Motorsport GmbH. The teams were chosen over numerous other applicants after presenting cases that impressed BMW the most.

BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said “The concepts presented by BMW Team RBM, BMW Team Schnitzer and Reinhold Motorsport GmbH ultimately convinced us. This is an excellent team line-up for BMW. For us, it is important that all three teams have absolute equal rights. We are looking forward to cooperating over the coming years – and hope to enjoy great success together.”

BMW Team RBM enters the series under the leadership of Team Manager Bart Mampaey with three world championship titles under its belt.Mampaey, whose family own and manage a BMW dealership which the team profits from, says of the upcoming competition “We are delighted that BMW is putting its faith in us again. We will use the time leading up to the first race to prepare as well as possible. The whole team is extremely motivated and hungry to get on with the development work. It is fantastic to be on board right from the start when a manufacturer like BMW launches this kind of project. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, as the standards in the DTM are extremely high.”

BMW Team Schnitzer, who enjoyed great success with the BMW colours in the 1980s and 1990s, are hoping to reclaim their former glory but are well aware they are considered novices again. Team Manager Charlie Lamm said “It is now almost 20 years since our last DTM race. We are well aware that the series has changed dramatically. The level of competition is extremely high and the series has a far more international flavour to it. As a result, rookies like us face a huge challenge. However, we will approach the task in hand with great verve.”

Although Reinhold Motorsport GmbH is a newcomer to the series as a team, its strength comes from the combined experience of its individual members. Stefan Reinhold explains “The crew comes from all areas of professional motor racing. From GT racing and the World Rally Championship, as well as DTM and Formula One. Almost all the team members have experience gained in several fields of motorsport. They are used to working at the highest level. Clear communication and the optimal use of experience and resources, as well as uncompromising commitment, are fundamental attributes of the team. Our greatest asset is definitely the people in our team.”