BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS Announces Spa 24 Lineup

BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS announced today the names of the six drivers who will race for the team in the upcoming Total 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium on July 26-27.

The Belgian squad will enter a pair of BMW Z4 GT3 cars in the Blancpain Endurance Series’ blue-riband event, as announced back in March. BMW works drivers Jörg Müller, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus will share the No. 66 BMW Z4 GT3. In the second car, the No. 77, Marc VDS Team Principal Bas Leinders will be joined by Dirk Werner and Markus Palttala.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt is positive ahead of the Total 24 Hours of Spa. “After struggling with technical issues and not achieving the results we had hoped for last year, we are extremely motivated to succeed in this year’s race. You could say that the BMW Z4 GT3 has a score to settle with this classic.”

“The 24-hour race in Spa is our home event, which obviously makes it a very special race for us. I am pleased that we are once again able to line up with two very strong driver line-ups this year, thanks to the support of BMW Motorsport,” Bas Leinders said. “The BMW Z4 GT3 is extremely reliable this season. As a result, we are confident that we can make it onto the podium this year, after finishing fourth in 2012 and last year’s misfortune.”

The No. 66 BMW Z4 GT3 brings together the experience of Jörg Müller, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus, who will make his debut in the 24 Hours of Spa.

“It is great to be back at the 24 Hours of Spa. Together with Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus, we have assembled a really strong trio. The BMW Z4 GT3 has been very impressive this season, so I am confident that we will challenge for a top result in Spa,” said Jörg Müller.

“I have been racing at the 24 Hours of Spa since 2006, so it is definitely my home race,” said Maxime Martin. “I think I have a good chance alongside my team-mates Augusto and Jörg, as they have both experience and speed – everything you need to be successful in an endurance.”

Farfus is also excited about his first participation in the event – having already competed in all the other major endurance races. “I am very much looking forward to taking part in one of the biggest races for GT cars. I see no reason why we shouldn’t have a chance of winning with the BMW Z4 GT3 and such a strong trio of drivers. This will be my first outing at this classic. It means an awful lot to me, as I will have competed at all the major 24-hour races in the world by the end of the weekend.”

In the team’s second car, the No. 77 BMW Z4 GT3, VDS regular drivers Bas Leinders and Markus Palttala will be joined by Dirk Werner, who is racing for Schubert in the Nürburgring 24 Hours later this month.

“The 24-hour race in Spa is one of my favourite races. I have fond memories of my races in 2010 and 2011, both of which I ended on the podium,” said Werner. “The track is a highlight and, with what is a very durable BMW Z4 GT3 this year and my strong team-mates, we can hopefully be right up there among the front-runners again.”

“I really love the circuit in Spa, it’s my absolute favorite. I’ve been a part of the 24-hour-race from the beginning of its GT-era. My first start was back in 2000 and this will be my 14th,” Palttala said. “So I know what to expect and how to deal with the special challenges of such a marathon. I’ve won the class there, but my dream is to win it outright once in my career. We finished fourth in 2012 and were leading last year with the BMW Z4 GT3, so I know we have a package to do it if we get everything right.”