BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS manages second place after a dramatic finish – Two BMW Z4 GT3s in the top ten

Spa-Francorchamps (BE), 27th July 2014. Six safety car periods, a 60-minute interruption and a thrilling finish: The BMW drivers and teams have experienced a turbulent race, which was nerve-wracking at the end, at the 66th staging of the 24-hour classic at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (BE). After 527 laps, Dirk Werner (DE), Lucas Luhr (DE) and Markus Palttala (FI) in the number 77 BMW Z4 GT3 finished in second place. It was the first podium success for BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS at its home race in the Ardennes. The track is only about 140 kilometres from the team’s HQ in Gosselies (BE). Victory at the 24 Hours of Spa went to the Audi drivers Laurens Vanthoor (BE), René Rast (DE) and Markus Winkelhock (DE), who only caught the BMW Z4 GT3 15 minutes before the end of the race and won by just 7.077 seconds in one of the closest finishes at Spa ever.

As the second best BMW team, Ecurie Ecosse made it into the top ten. Alexander Sims, Oliver Bryant, Andrew Smith and Alasdair McCaig (all GB) were rewarded for their strong driving performance with an excellent seventh place overall, which saw them finish second in the Pro-Am Cup in which they were competing. Eric Clément, Benjamin Lariche, Nicolas Armindo and Olivier Pla (all FR) put in an impressive chase in the BMW Z4 GT3 of Team TDS Racing. Starting the race from 46th, the French quartet worked their way up the field into 16th overall and sixth in the Pro-Am class. Stefano Comandini, Eugenio Amos, Stefano Colombo and Michela Cerruti (all IT) from ROAL Motorsport crossed the finish line in 35th place.

The BMW drivers had a turbulent marathon race with numerous incidents and six safety car periods. The endurance classic had to take a 60-minute break after a particularly nasty accident. BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS kept its eye on the ball throughout the race and hardly made any mistakes. The team fronted by principal Bas Leinders (BE) was in the lead until 15 minutes before the end of the race. However, due to technical problems with the ABS, Werner, who drove the final stint, was unable to defend the leading position in the dramatic final laps.

The second BMW Z4 GT3 of BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, driven by Maxime Martin (BE), Augusto Farfus (BR) and Jörg Müller (DE) was very unlucky. After 140 laps they were forced to return car number 66 to the garage early. Nick Catsburg (NL), Jens Klingmann (DE), Henry Hassid (FR) and Pierre Thiriet (FR) also had to finish the race early in the number 12 BMW Z4 GT3 of Team TDS Racing.

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“Congratulations to Marc van der Straten and Bas Leinders’ team on its first podium finish at its home race in Spa-Francorchamps. It was another extremely exciting race on this wonderful track – from the first to the final lap. Even though I wasn’t at the track I followed the race via a live stream throughout and was cheering them on. Dirk Werner, Lucas Luhr and Markus Palttala didn’t make any mistakes. Unfortunately a technical problem with the car just a few hours before the end ruined their chance of overall victory. With a bit of luck they might have managed more. After our bad luck last year at the 24 Hours of Spa we are delighted to be on the podium once again. The other BMW Sports Trophy Teams also showed a strong performance in Spa. At times we had four different BMW Z4 GT3s in the top ten. That shows just how competitive our vehicle is. I’m particularly delighted for BMW works driver Alexander Sims from the Ecurie Ecosse team, who finished second in the Pro-Am Cup. I would also like to congratulate Audi on its third victory in three major 24-hour races in this endurance season.”

Bas Leinders (Team Principal BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS):
“My boys put up a long and magnificent fight on the track. We lost a car early on, but we’re very happy with the second place overall for Dirk, Lucas and Markus. In the final four hours of the race, our second BMW Z4 GT3 also suffered a minor technical problem. But the drivers in car number 77 did a fantastic job, particularly Dirk on his last stint before the end of the race. We had to take some risks, we didn’t change the tyres at the final pit stop. We wanted to try and tempt Audi to take some risks. It was also a sensational race for the fans. I’m just happy to stand on the podium with BMW and my team.”

Dirk Werner (BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, number 77 BMW Z4 GT3, 2nd place):
“It was very exciting to drive the closing stint. The team took a gamble in the final one and a half hours of the race and developed a great strategy for the final spurt. However, it was hard to keep up on used tyres and with the technical problems. But I tried everything possible. We had a great weekend, but we were fully aware that we would face tough competition. My team-mates Lucas and Markus also did a fantastic job and really pushed. It’s fantastic for the team and BMW to be able to celebrate a podium finish.”

Lucas Luhr (BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, number 77 BMW Z4 GT3, 2nd place):
“We can be more than satisfied with the result. The race was really close throughout the entire 24 hours. We were only 7.077 seconds behind the winner at the end. This marathon could have ended up going our way. Unfortunately a technical problem got the better of us, such that we were fighting with some blunt weapons. This is why we tried to use tactics. We secretly hoped that it would be enough. Of course, the initial reaction is slight disappointment. But it is a fantastic day for Marc VDS and BMW.”

Markus Palttala (BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS, number 77 BMW Z4 GT3, 2nd place):
“I had mixed feelings directly after the race. Initially second place felt like a defeat. However, if someone had told me last week that we would make it onto the podium at Spa, I would have agreed to it. When all is said and done I’m happy. Probably more so tomorrow than today. But I’m proud of my team. We had an almost perfect race – both on the track and in the pit stops. We were the underdogs facing an armada of Audis. This makes the result absolutely sensational.”

Alexander Sims (Ecurie Ecosse, number 79 BMW Z4 GT3, 7th place):
“We had a fantastic race in a car that was just as fantastic. This is the first time I have been on the podium and I have to say that it feels great. The atmosphere and the level of skills in the race are superb. I’m proud to have been part of this major event. I’m sure we’ll celebrate properly tonight.”