BMW M4 GT3 Dominates: Securing Pole Position in an Epic 24 Hours of Nürburgring
The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is synonymous with unpredictability, where the starting grid is often just a mere formality ahead of the grueling 24-hour endurance. Yet, there's no denying that setting the fastest lap time serves as a powerful statement about a car’s potential and its team’s capabilities. This year, the limelight was captured by the BMW M4 GT3, car number 72, fielded by Team RMG. Surging around the treacherous Nordschleife with finesse, the trio of Dan Harper, Max Hesse, and Charles Weerts clinched the pole position with a jaw-dropping lap time of 8:10.922 minutes.
The margin by which the M4 GT3 edged out its closest competitors underscores the ferocious intensity of this year’s qualification rounds. Hot on their heels were the formidable Manthey-Porsche GT3 R, car number 911, and the Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo from Scherer Sport PHX, which locked in the second and third positions respectively. An incredibly slim delta of eight-thousandths of a second was all that stood between the two over the 25.378-kilometer circuit, adding to the high-stakes drama.
Competitiveness Across the Grid
Underscoring the fiercely competitive nature of BMW’s entries, the second-fastest BMW M4 GT3, driven by a powerhouse quartet that includes Robin Frijns, Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, and Augusto Farfus, secured the seventh spot on the grid. Their impressive lap time of 8:12.157 minutes was merely 1.2 seconds adrift of the pole-sitting sibling, heralding an intense intra-brand rivalry that promises to enthrall spectators.
Other top-ten qualifiers spoke volumes about the diverse prowess lining up for the race. Noteworthy mentions include the #1 Frikadelli Ferrari, the #99 ROWE Racing BMW, the #130 GetSpeed Mercedes, the #4 Bilstein Team HRT Mercedes, and the #33 Falken Motorsports Porsche. Each of these teams brought their A-game, navigating the labyrinthine circuit with precision and speed.
Weather as the Wildcard
As always, weather conditions at the Nürburgring could throw a spanner in the works. Rain, fog, and even the occasional sun streaks play a critical role in shaping the race dynamics, challenging even the most seasoned drivers to adapt on the fly. The green flag will drop tomorrow, Saturday, at 4:00 p.m., kicking off 24 hours of relentless racing that could quickly become a race against nature as much as rival teams.
BMW’s formidable presence spans beyond just their GT3 protagonists. A broader contingent of 33 BMW vehicles will lock horns across various categories, including ten BMW M4 GT4s and six BMW M240i Racings, embodying a rich mix of talent and machinery eager to clinch glory in their respective classes.
With the backdrop set for another memorable 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the stage is well and truly set for Team RMG and its #72 BMW M4 GT3 to turn pole position into an endurance masterpiece. Stay tuned with us for real-time updates and in-depth coverage as this motorsport saga unfolds.