BMW Moves to Z4 for 2013 ALMS Championship

Photo: BMW Press

For the first time in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, BMW’s racing efforts in GT will center around a car other than its M3. BMW Motorsport officials announced Saturday that BMW Team RLL is turning to the BMW Z4 for the 2013 ALMS season.

“This change in model shows that we are focussing fully on the BMW Z4 as an all-encompassing GT car,” said Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director. “The BMW Z4 GT3 has been very successful on the GT3 scene in recent years, and has proven its ability to win races. I am confident this car will also play a major role as a GT car in the ALMS.”

The BMW Z4 was a successful car in Europe during the 2012 season. It won four races in the FIA GT1 World Championship as well as the Italian GT championship. Meanwhile, the BMW M3 GT finished its competitive career in the ALMS with a stellar record.

Versions of the M3 won 16 GT races in the Series, and BMW ranks third among ALMS GT manufacturers in terms of victories. The M3 helped BMW to win the class manufacturer championship in 2001, 2010 and 2011. The latter was part of a BMW and BMW Team RLL hat-trick of sorts – driver, team and manufacturer titles in GT.

BMW also announced that American Joey Hand, who shared the GT drivers title in 2011, is part of the manufacturer’s roster in the 2013 DTM championship. Details on BMW’s ALMS driver lineup are forthcoming.

The 2013 ALMS season starts with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 16 from Sebring International Raceway. BMW Team RLL is the defending GT winner.