SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Dec. 9, 2024 – BMW M Motorsport recently concluded another successful racing season with the 62nd annual BMW M Sports Trophy. This prestigious event honors the most accomplished privateer teams and drivers competing in BMW race cars across the globe. The BMW M Night of Trophies served as the stage to celebrate these high-achieving individuals and provide a glimpse into the exciting future of BMW customer racing.
Honoring the Champions
Turner Motorsport secured the top spot in the team rankings for the second year in a row, solidifying their status as a dominant force in North American sports car racing.
"Will Turner’s team completed its 557th race in a BMW car in May – more than any other BMW M Motorsport customer team," states the press release, highlighting the team's long-standing commitment to BMW. Their impressive results with the BMW M4 GT3 and BMW M4 GT4 across various IMSA championships earned them a well-deserved victory.
In the driver's championship, Justin Rothberg claimed the crown with a remarkable season that included the Pro-Am Championship in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America and multiple victories in GT America.
Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead
The BMW M Night of Trophies was not just about celebrating past achievements; it also offered a tantalizing preview of what's to come for BMW M Motorsport.
"Today we not only honour the best participants in the BMW M Sports Trophy but also celebrate many titles that our teams and drivers have won with BMW M race cars in various championships," said Björn Lellmann, Head of Customer Racing at BMW M Motorsport. "These include the DTM, the IMSA series, the GT World Challenges Europe and America, the Italian GT Championship, TC America, and the ESET Cup Series."
New Cars and Talent Development
BMW M Motorsport unveiled exciting developments for customer racing, including:
- New race cars: The BMW M4 GT3 EVO, BMW M4 GT4 EVO, and the upcoming BMW M2 Racing entry-level car.
- BMW M Racing Academy: A new talent development program designed to nurture the next generation of racing stars.
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M, emphasized the importance of customer racing to the brand: "The BMW M Motorsport teams and drivers are the best ambassadors for BMW and BMW M on racetracks worldwide. Their global successes with our race cars are thrilling and underscore that motorsport is part of our DNA."
Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, Sales at BMW M GmbH, highlighted the significance of privateer teams and drivers: "They not only provide fantastic feedback on our products but also regularly demonstrate the performance of our cars on the racetrack. Thank you for representing our brand so excellently."
The BMW M2 Racing: Accessible Motorsport
The upcoming BMW M2 Racing is poised to make motorsport more accessible than ever.
"Affordability is a focus in its development, as our goal is to make motorsport accessible to as wide an audience as possible," explained Neubauer. "The highest technological level and reliability are a given at BMW M Motorsport, ensuring great value for money with the BMW M2 Racing."
Investing in the Future: The BMW M Racing Academy
The BMW M Racing Academy represents a significant investment in the future of motorsport. This program will provide aspiring racers with the training and support they need to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
"At the new BMW M Racing Academy, they are the focus, and this talent promotion programme is a fantastic new aspect that we offer our customers," said Neubauer.
The "Class of 2025" includes four promising GT4 drivers: Nerea Martí (Spain), Berkay Besler (Turkey), Matthew Million (USA), and Niels Tröger (Germany).
A Tradition of Excellence
The BMW M Sports Trophy is more than just an awards ceremony; it's a testament to BMW's enduring commitment to motorsport and its dedication to supporting privateer teams and drivers. With its continued investment in new cars, talent development, and customer racing programs, BMW M Motorsport is ensuring a bright future for the sport and its passionate community.