Klingmann Replaces Eng, Second ROWE BMW Returns

Photo: Nürburgring / Gruppe C

ROWE Racing has returned to a two-car lineup for this weekend’s Blancpain GT Series Sprint Cup finale at the Nürburgring, while Jens Klingmann has been announced as a substitute for Philipp Eng. 

The German team ran just one BMW M6 GT3 in the Hungaroring round at the end of last month, due to one of its chassis picking up damage in the VLN race one week before. 

Both BMWs will make the grid for the final round of the season, although with a reshuffled lineup owing to Eng’s ADAC GT Masters commitments.

Klingmann will therefore return to the team for his first Blancpain GT appearance of the season, following a year that has seen the 27-year-old focus his efforts on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Turner Motorsport.

Antonio Felix da Costa will join Klingmann in the No. 99 BMW, while Jesse Krohn and Markus Palttala will share the No. 98 car.

“We are really looking forward to being able to compete at full strength in our home race at the Nürburgring in the Blancpain GT Series, now that we have been able to completely repair our No. 99 BMW M6 GT3,” commented team principal Hans-Peter Naundorf.

“Luckily, the chassis was not too badly damaged in the VLN accident, which meant that we could rebuild the car. Of course, we will miss Philipp Eng in the cockpit but we are keeping our fingers crossed and wishing him every success in the GT Masters.

“Jens Klingmann is a top-quality replacement who knows the BMW M6 GT3 inside out.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.