DTM Drivers to Pilot ROWE BMW in NLS Races

ROWE Racing has confirmed that it will run a single BMW M6 GT3 in the opening races of the Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie with a lineup formed of two current DTM drivers.

The German squad, run by Motorsport Competence Group, will continue to operate cars from two different manufacturers in Europe having confirmed its Porsche 911 GT3 R entry for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup last week.

As part of its preparations for the Nürburgring 24 in September, ROWE is to run the BMW in the first four NLS events including the round two double-header weekend in mid-July.

BMW factory drivers Philipp Eng and Lucas Auer, who both race in the DTM series, have been confirmed as the two drivers.

Eng is familiar with the ROWE setup having won the Total 24 Hours of Spa with the team in 2016, while Auer’s only previous GT3 experience has come in Mercedes-AMG cars.

ROWE looks set to need two replacement drivers for the third NLS event of the year, which clashes with the DTM season-opener at Spa-Francorchamps on Aug. 1-2.

Eng and Auer should be able to return for the six-hour N24 dress rehearsal on Aug. 29 which falls between DTM weekends at the Lausitzring and Assen.

ROWE has confirmed that it plans to run both of its BMWs at this event.

“We are delighted that the season can finally get going after this long enforced break due to the coronavirus,” said team principal Hans-Peter Naundorf.

“Many thanks to the VLN operators, who put in a huge amount of work with all partners to draw up a hygiene plan that has allowed all of us to return to racing.

“These new conditions represent a great challenge for all teams, which we are looking forward to taking on. It will be interesting to see who can most quickly adapt to these new conditions.

ROWE will take to the Nürburgring Nordschleife today for the NLS pre-season test, sharing the track with several other GT3 teams.

“The test and set-up session is the perfect opportunity for us, as a team, to familiarise ourselves with the new measures and processes in place and to work on the set-up of the cars,” added Naundorf.

“I am also looking forward to Lucas Auer’s first appearance for our team and I am sure that his experience from the DTM and other race series will help him fit in with us very quickly.”