- The new BMW M4 GT3 endurance racing car has made a successful debut at the 24H Dubai.
- The vehicle replaces the M6 GT3 long-distance racer that BMW Motorsport launched more than half a decade ago.
- BMW says it's one of the "easiest-driving" GT3 cars it's ever made and is ideal for amateur teams looking to go endurance racing.
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BMW Motorsport's M6 and M8 endurance racing cars can finally rest easy as the company's new M4 GT3 racing car has successfully taken track competitively at the 24H Dubai that took place this past weekend. The new flagship from BMW M has passed the endurance test in the desert following test races last season and successful FIA homologation.
This year's 24H Dubai marked the first race appearance for the new BMW M4 GT3 in the hands of BMW M Motorsport teams. ST Racing and Schubert Motorsport competed with three BMW M4 GT3s at the season-opener in the 24H Series. After 24 hours of racing featuring numerous challenges and a sandstorm on Saturday morning, all three cars reached the finish line on their racing debut.
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Solid finishing positions for the first race outing
ST Racing secured ninth place with the number 28 BMW M4 GT3 in the top category, the GT3 class. The car was driven by Jon Miller (USA), Nick Wittmer (CAN), Louis-Philippe Montour (CAN) and Chandler Hull (USA).
Schubert Motorsport suffered a setback early in the race when the number 30 BMW M4 GT3 was damaged after contact from another competitor. The subsequent long repair break saw the vehicle fall way back. After 24 hours, BMW M works driver Nick Yelloly (GBR), Jordan Witt (GBR), Marcel Lenerz (GER) and Jens Liebhauser (GER) crossed the line tenth in the GT3 class.
On track for a podium step, but it was just out of reach
Car number 1 from ST Racing, competing in the Pro-Am class, was the best-placed BMW M4 GT3 in the field for a large part of the race and was on course for a podium in its class. However, a technical problem cost the car positions, although it was possible to carry out repairs. The vehicle, driven by Samantha Tan (CAN), Bryson Morris, Anthony Lazzaro, Harry Gottsacker and Tyler Maxson (all USA), finished fifth in the Pro-Am class.
The next highlight for the BMW M4 GT3 is scheduled to take place in two weeks in North America. At the season-opener in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series), the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona (USA), BMW M Team RLL and Turner Motorsport will compete with the new M4 GT racing car.
The new BMW M4 GT3 replaces the BMW M6 GT3 as BMW Motorsport's range-topping track-focused sportscar. For the 2022 season, private drivers and teams from all over the world will have the opportunity to challenge for victories and titles in the top car in the M Motorsport range, which is based on the next generation of BMW M4 road cars.
According to BMW, the most significant improvements compared to its predecessor, the BMW M6 GT3, are in three areas: driveability, cost efficiency, and operation. The BMW M4 GT3's handling and cockpit equipment are said to be more comfortable for amateur drivers, while the car is easier on the tyres and offers greater consistency.
Thanks to a 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged petrol engine that produces around 440kW depending on state of tune and a custom Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox, it's good for sub 3 seconds 0-100km/h.
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