Viral News Today

Bathurst Triumph: BMW M4 GT3 Secures 1-2 Victory at the 12 Hour

In a spectacular display of racing prowess, Team WRT clinched a remarkable 1-2 victory at the Bathurst 12 Hour, marking the season opener for the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC). The triumph was led by the #32 BMW M4 GT3, driven by the Van der Linde brothers, Sheldon and Kelvin from South Africa, alongside Brazilian Augusto Farfus. The sister car, #46, piloted by Valentino Rossi of Italy, Raffaele Marciello from Switzerland, and Belgium’s Charles Weerts, finished a strong second.

This victory was not just another win; it was BMW M Motorsport’s first in the GT3 era at the Mount Panorama Circuit, adding a prestigious chapter to their racing history. The last time BMW celebrated a win at Bathurst was back in 2010 with a BMW 335i. For Sheldon and Kelvin van der Linde, this was their inaugural joint victory in a BMW M Motorsport car, while for Rossi, it was his first podium at this renowned event.

Race Strategy and Performance: The race was won through strategic brilliance, with both BMW M4 GT3s showcasing superior fuel efficiency. This advantage allowed them to avoid a final pit stop that many competitors were forced to make. However, the #46 car faced a setback with a drive-through penalty, which temporarily dropped them to eighth place. Marciello’s audacious overtake on Jules Gounon (MERC) was pivotal in reclaiming their spot on the podium.

World Premiere at Bathurst: Adding to the weekend’s highlights was the world premiere of the new BMW M3 CS Touring, which took place in the pit lane of Mount Panorama. This model, embodying the racing spirit with street performance, features a 550 hp inline-six engine, unique chassis tuning, and carbon fiber components for reduced weight, emphasizing BMW M’s commitment to performance.

Reactions from the Team and Drivers:

  • Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: Praised Team WRT’s execution and was thrilled for the drivers’ performances, especially noting this victory as a hopeful sign for the season.
  • Vincent Vosse, Team Principal Team WRT: Expressed immense satisfaction with the season start, highlighting the team’s strategy and Kelvin van der Linde’s significant contribution.
  • Drivers: Each driver shared their pride and joy in the achievement, emphasizing teamwork, strategic execution, and personal milestones.

This victory not only underscores Team WRT’s dominance in the 2025 season following wins in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but also sets a high bar for the upcoming races in the IGTC calendar.

Note: All performance, fuel consumption, and emissions figures are provisional and based on German market specifications. For more details on the BMW M3 CS Touring and its environmental impact, visit BMW’s official site (www.bmw.de).

ismail

my name is Ismail Gazi, and I have been writing and posting technology articles for the past 4 years.

Leave a Reply

Back to top button