BMW rejoins the BTCC as Manufacturer with WSR

[Matski]

Not sure if there's many BTCC fans on GCF... but for me this is epic news. The BTCC is my favourite racing series by far, and it's never made sense to me that BMW didn't fully support West Surrey Racing in their efforts with the 125i or that Colin Turkington always struggled to keep a drive, but as of the 2017 season, BMW fully officially backing the team. This is great news...

Full Press Release

A further chapter in BMW’s illustrious history in touring car racing unfolded today as BMW UK, in partnership with West Surrey Racing (WSR), announced a three-car team that will again bid for victory of the 2017 British Touring Car Championship.

The announcement of TEAM BMW is a landmark occasion, marking BMW’s return to the country’s best-watched motor race series as a manufacturer team. It has been 21 years since the marque last contested the series in this manner, when BMW Team Schnitzer fielded a BMW 320i line-up.

Graeme Grieve, CEO of BMW Group UK, commented: “The BTCC is one of the most significant race series in the UK and has a huge and enthusiastic following. With a history of success and the continuous support of WSR for the past decade, we are delighted to step up as a Manufacturer Team again after 21 years.”

BMW UK’s significant financial investment in the BTCC team includes the funding of technical developments on all fronts, focused on the very latest BMW engine derivative.

At the launch at BMW Park Lane, London, Graeme Grieve joined WSR Team Principal, Dick Bennetts, to remove the wraps from one of the three BMW 125i M Sport team cars that will contest the 2017 BTCC. With the cars freshly-developed, prepared and run again by WSR, BMW’s return to the Series as a Manufacturer coincides with a further landmark, marking a decade since WSR first contested the BTCC with BMW, which has endured to this day.

The BMW relationship with Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury-based operation in the BTCC was established in 2007, where they claimed both the Independent Drivers and Teams Championships. They repeated the feat in 2008 and went on to take the overall BTCC Drivers’ title in 2009, and added a driver and team double crown in 2014.

Dick Bennetts remarked: “I reckon that working together successfully as motorsport partners for ten years is the equivalent of a lifelong marriage. It is a tribute to BMW’s product and commitment, and we are delighted to once again represent the marque as they return with increased commitment as a Manufacturer in the BTCC.”

Significantly, the driver roll of honour for each of the three BTCC Independent, Overall and Teams Championship victories fell to Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington.

Turkington has spent nine of his 12 BTCC seasons with the WSR-BMW team, during which he scored 26 wins over five seasons. Now, two years after claiming the outright Drivers Championship at the wheel of a previous-generation BMW 125i M Sport, he returns to the rear-wheel drive TEAM BMW with renewed vigour.

Driver talent runs deep in BMW’s 2017 BTCC campaign. Joining Turkington is Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC Overall Drivers Champion and three-time Independent Drivers Champion - who brings with him long-term personal sponsor, Pirtek. Completing the trio is Rob Collard, a BTCC followers’ favourite and the Series’ legendary overtaker who, after his most competitive season to date in 2016, marks the tenth consecutive year he has driven a BMW in the BTCC, the last seven with WSR.

Last year, the trio of WSR-prepared BMW 125i M Sport cars contributed to a nail-biting finale that went down to the wire at the final round. Team driver Sam Tordoff was pipped at the post for the overall driver’s title, just two points shy of victory. Nevertheless, the WSR BMW team claimed a double title success at the conclusion of the series, taking the BTCC Constructors crown and the Teams’ Championship once again.

Entering the 2017 season of the super-competitive BTCC, TEAM BMW has heavyweight success behind it, increased financial and technical investment from BMW UK, the skills, consistency and superb track record of West Surrey Racing, and a driver trio that collectively represents the most powerful line-up in this year’s BTCC series.

The history behind the success: WSR and BMW
A switch to BMW machinery in 2007 marked the start of the most successful chapter in WSR’s touring car history. Colin Turkington became independents’ champion in his first season with the BMW 320si and added an overall title in ’09 and a race win in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for WSR the following year.

Replacing the 320si model with the new BMW 1 Series for 2013 paved the way for another overall title for Turkington in 2014. He also won the independents’ title – the fifth for a WSR driver in 11 seasons – and helped the team add a fourth independent teams’ crown in the same year.

The 2015 season brought race victories for WSR’s three drivers; Rob Collard, Sam Tordoff and Andy Priaulx while Collard, Tordoff and Jack Goff combined to win the constructors’ and teams’ championships in 2016; the latter under the Team JCT600 with GardX banner.

TEAM BMW: Driver biographies 2017 British Touring Car Championship


ROB COLLARD
Nationality: British
DOB: 1st October 1968
Age: 48
Born: Hampshire
Lives: Eversley

BTCC History
BTCC Debut: Oulton Park, 29 May 2000
BTCC starts: 427
BTCC wins: 13
BTCC podiums: 53
Fastest laps: 15

Drivers Titles
(2016 Dunlop MSA BTCC #ForeverForward Trophy winner)
2003 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers’ Trophy

ANDREW JORDAN
Nationality: British
DOB: 24th May 1989
Age: 27
Born: Sutton Coldfield
Lives: Lichfield

BTCC History
BTCC Debut: Brands Hatch, 30th March 2008
BTCC starts: 265
BTCC wins: 16
BTCC poles: 6
BTCC podiums: 53
Fastest laps: 16

Drivers Titles
2016 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy
2013 Dunlop MSA BTCC Drivers Championship
2013 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy
2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy
2007 British Rallycross Supercar Championship
2005 British, BTRDA & Super Series Junior Rallycross Championships
2005 Ginetta Winter Series
2004 BTRDA Junior Rally Championship
2003 Winter Junior Rallycross Championship

COLIN TURKINGTON
Nationality: British
DOB: 21st March 1982
Age: 34
Born: Newry, County Down
Lives: Portadown, County Armagh

BTCC History
BTCC Debut: Oulton Park 21st April 2002
BTCC starts: 333
BTCC wins: 41
BTCC poles: 17
BTCC podiums: 110
Fastest laps: 39

Driver titles
2016 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th Drivers Championship
BRDC Silver Star Winner
2015 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th Drivers Championship
Independent Drivers Champion
2014 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st Champion
Independent Drivers Champion
Autosport National Driver of the Year
BRDC Silver Star Winner
2013 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship
2011 SCANDINAVIAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship
2011 World Touring Car Championship - 3 Events (1 podium finish)
2010 FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6 Events
(4 podiums including 1 win – Japan)
2009 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st Champion
Independent Drivers Champion
BMW Sports Trophy winner
Autosport National Driver of the Year
2008 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - 4th Drivers Championship
Independent Drivers Champion
2007 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship
Independent Drivers Champion
BMW Sports Trophy Winner
3rd WTCC Race of Great Britain
8th WTCC Race of Macau
2006 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 3rd Drivers Championship
2005 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship
2004 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship
2003 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 8th Drivers Championship
2002 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 14th Drivers Championship
2001 FORD FIESTA ZETEC S CHAMPIONSHIP – Champion





The Series commences at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 1-2 April 2017.

 

[Rainer271]

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[Matski]

In a very up and down season finale at Brands Hatch this weekend West Surrey Racing took the Teams Title and BMW took the manufacturers title.

Sadly, despite an incredible (and controversial) drive in Race 2, Colin Turkington missed out on the drivers championship after being hit by Mat Jackson's Ford Focus in Race 3.

I believe the 125i NGTC is currently the most successful car in the NGTC era.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

In a very up and down season finale at Brands Hatch this weekend West Surrey Racing took the Teams Title and BMW took the manufacturers title.

Sadly, despite an incredible (and controversial) drive in Race 2, Colin Turkington missed out on the drivers championship after being hit by Mat Jackson's Ford Focus in Race 3.

I believe the 125i NGTC is currently the most successful car in the NGTC era.

Hold your breath, because it will be even much faster and more spectacular when BMW switches to FWD for the 1 series (sarcasm)

 

[Matski]

Hold your breath, because it will be even much faster and more spectacular when BMW switches to FWD for the 1 series (sarcasm)

Performance equalization means it'll pretty much be just as fast, just in different places

It's also worth pointing out that the FWD cars in this series are as fast as Porsche 918, La Ferrari and Mclaren P1 around Silverstone National circuit, they are not un-spectacular.

It also may have the bonus of making a BMW eligible for the flourishing TCR International and National series... which is a good thing for us Touring Car fans.

 

[M.N.D]

Greetings everyone, new member here...

That's great news indeed, especially for BMW Motorsports enthusiasts (count me in). As a "non professional" motorsports fan, I'm a bit sad for not being able to follow BTCC this season... hope to be able to do so in the future.

As for the TCR international, I am looking forward as well to see BMW compete with their upcoming FWD 1-series, hopefully they will be a strong player, just like they are in GT4 northern cup (although I think that Ekris Motorsport does not represent BMW directly).

 

[Matski]

Greetings everyone, new member here...

That's great news indeed, especially for BMW Motorsports enthusiasts (count me in). As a "non professional" motorsports fan, I'm a bit sad for not being able to follow BTCC this season... hope to be able to do so in the future.

As for the TCR international, I am looking forward as well to see BMW compete with their upcoming FWD 1-series, hopefully they will be a strong player, just like they are in GT4 northern cup (although I think that Ekris Motorsport does not represent BMW directly).

Welcome to GCF

I guess the ITV4 official stream is geo-blocked for you?

I'm hoping for a TCR 1-er, of course it's not official and BMW haven't expressed any desire yet as far as I know. There are positive signs coming from the USA where MINI USA has given its permission for LAP racing to develop a TCR Mini.

Not sure what the crack is with Ekris. They had developed their own M4 GT4 before BMW Motorsport did and it races as an "Ekris M4 GT4", in the GT4 Southern Cup, Schubert ran a factory backed "BMW M4 GT4" in the Southern Cup race at Barcalona this weekend, against an "Ekris M4 GT4".

 

[M.N.D]

Thank you Matski, always enjoying reading your contribution...

I'm a touring and GT motor racing fan as well, although not so experienced about the tiniest of details, technical wise or regulation wise.

I believe ITV is geo-blocked as you mentioned (I tried once long time ago, didn't work and didn't try again); unfortunately they don't upload the re-live full races on their Youtube channel.

Although I'm not completely sure, but since TCR series in their multiple incarnations are for privateers, I hope that BMW will become interested in such a growing racing format, as it would be nice to see bumper to bumper action while cheering for your favourite brand without interference from the factory teams, which is one of the things that I don't like about motor racing, such as DTM for example (I'm looking at you, Nico Müller and Dieter Gass!!)

I don't understand Ekris Motorsport as well, but had a blast in this season of the northern cup championship, which is encouraging to see that the M4 platform has a great potential as a GT racing car, and I watched the finale of the southern cup at Barcelona... the factory M4 was very strong in its debut.

Let's hope the GT4 racing will become more competitive in the future, without being screwed in someway

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Sadly, despite an incredible (and controversial) drive in Race 2, Colin Turkington missed out on the drivers championship after being hit by Mat Jackson's Ford Focus in Race 3.

Awww man, that sucks!! What was the points situation heading into Race 3?

 

[Matski]

Awww man, that sucks!! What was the points situation heading into Race 3?

6 points, with Turkington starting further up the grid than his rival Ash Sutton. Race 2 was incredible, Turkington won from 15th... closed the gap down from 24 points. In the post race interview for race 2 it was everything he could do to not fall apart crying he was that happy.... only to be eliminated in race 3.

I'm a touring and GT motor racing fan as well, although not so experienced about the tiniest of details, technical wise or regulation wise.

Speed and noise... that's all you really need to focus on

I believe ITV is geo-blocked as you mentioned (I tried once long time ago, didn't work and didn't try again); unfortunately they don't upload the re-live full races on their Youtube channel.

The races are on their site, not sure if it will work for you... Link ---> Watch all the action from Brands Hatch GP 2017

I think GT4 is gaining pace with GT3 costs and speeds climbing all the time, though it's not a series that I've followed very closely if I'm honest.

 

[M.N.D]

Speed and noise... that's all you really need to focus on



The races are on their site, not sure if it will work for you... Link ---> Watch all the action from Brands Hatch GP 2017

I think GT4 is gaining pace with GT3 costs and speeds climbing all the time, though it's not a series that I've followed very closely if I'm honest.

Thank you for the link I'll check it out later.

I second your opinion on speed and noise though in my case as a TV follower it depends on the microphones of the broadcaster but I want to see more overtaking and I'll-be-ahead-you-wish-I'll-show-you action to be added to the list as well.

I'm a fan of touring and GT3 racing, such as Blancpain GT series, GT Open, and GT Masters, but I kinda think it's drifting away from its original concept of being a GT / sports car modified for racing. GT4 is filling this void, and I hope that it will get more "controllable" attention to be more exciting.

 

[M.N.D]

The races are on their site, not sure if it will work for you... Link ---> Watch all the action from Brands Hatch GP 2017

It is Geo-blocked Thank you anyway Matski

Hopefully they will start uploading the replays on their Youtube channel for the next season, or else I have to find a channel that will do that, though I doubt it is possible due to copyrights.