BMW Bringing Classic Race Taxis to DTM Series

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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is bringing several classics to the DTM season opener on May 4 and 5 at Hockenheim. BMW Classic is bringing a 1987 M3 DTMBMW M3 Sports Evolution (...Germany, 1990 > present1 photo
and M1 ProcarBMW M1 Group 4Germany, 1979 > present2 photos
as race taxis for all ten DTM races in 2013 for a few visitors.

Eric van de Poele won the 1987 DTM Drivers’ Championship in the M3 DTM, the first year it was raced. The M1 that will be used was driven by Nelson Piquet in the M1 Procar series in 1980. The one-make series used the 470hp M1 Procars as a support series during Formula 1 races in 1979 and 1980.

The race taxi laps will be held during the break between practice and qualifying on the Saturdays of race weekends and between the warm-up and race on Sundays.

The cars will be driven by professional drivers, but not the BMW DTM drivers because the DTM rules forbid drivers from getting extra practice laps during a race weekend.

“Last year we were frequently treated to the sight of legendary BMW racing cars from past decades during DTM weekends. And each time the reaction of the fans and our guests was overwhelming,” he adds. “This year we want to give them something really special by sending out classic ‘race taxis’ as part of the DTM support program,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.