Opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge under a cloud of sadness for BMW Motorsport

This weekend, the Intercontinental GT Challenge kicks off the new season with the Bathurst 12 Hour (AUS). In the thick of the action will be two BMW M6 GT3s, run by BMW Team Schnitzer and Walkenhorst Motorsport. In addition, the RHC-Jorgensen/Strom by Marc GT team will field the BMW M4 GT4 in Class B.

For BMW Team Schnitzer, this is the first race since the sudden loss of long-time team principal Charly Lamm. He will be buried this week in a private ceremony with close family members. The date for a memorial service in Charly’s honour will be announced at a later time. Under the circumstances, the sporting preview of the race at “Mount Panorama” is of little significance. BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt will, contrary to his original plans, travel to Bathurst to support BMW Team Schnitzer at this difficult time.

Jens Marquardt said: “After the remarkable race at Daytona, which we won for Charly Lamm, we now move on to the next classic on the other side the world. I want to stand at BMW Team Schnitzer’s side at Bathurst. We will be made all the more aware of how deeply we miss Charly this weekend. We will endeavour to honour him with a good result again at Mount Panorama.” 

Daytona winner Augusto Farfus (BRA), Martin Tomczyk (GER) and local favourite Chaz Mostert (AUS) will drive the #42 BMW M6 GT3 for BMW Team Schnitzer. For Walkenhorst Motorsport, BMW works drivers Nick Catsburg (NED) and Mikkel Jensen (DEN) will be joined at the wheel of the #34 car by Christian Krognes (NOR).