BMW returns to the Ring with the M3 GT again this year hoping defend its 2010 crown. Fresh off a third place in class at Le Mans less than two weeks ago the BMW Motorsport crew are certainly keeping busy.

Charly Lamm, Team Manager, informs us they are well prepared and ready for action, “It certainly is something special to race at Le Mans, then head to the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife less than 14 days later to contest another 24-hour race. It is an intensive period for every single team member, and we are highly motivated. In Le Mans we obviously had many different experiences, and so this extra knowledge will flow naturally into our race in the Eifel.

“Our campaign in the VLN Endurance Championship has been positive, and we have been able to acclimatise ourselves to the Nordschleife, therefore we tackle the week full of confidence.”

Full details after the break.

From the Sarthe to the Eifel: BMW Motorsport intends fighting for its 20th outright victory at the Nürburgring.

Munich, 20th June 2011. From one highlight to the next: Just two weeks after contesting the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FR), Team BMW Motorsport this weekend faces yet another endurance classic: at the Nürburgríng’s Nordschleife (DE). Last year’s winners again face strong opposition in the Eifel, therefore promising fans one of the most thrilling events in recent times.

BMW has won the Nürburgring 24-hour race a total of 19 times since taking victory in the inaugural 1970 race, when a BMW 2002 ti crossed the line in first place. In 1998 a BMW 320d took the first win for a diesel-powered car. Last year Team BMW Motorsport returned to the Nordschleife after a five-year absence – promptly taking BMW’s 19th victory. More than 50 BMW race cars will take the start in the 39th running of the race this year.

Andy Priaulx (GB) will not be in the BMW Motorsport driver line up after undergoing an operation last Friday. While the operation was successful, the Nürburgring race and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) event in Imola (IT) on the following weekend will be too early for the triple world touring car champion to get back behind the wheel of the BMW M3 GT. His recuperation will take several weeks and he will return as soon as his doctors give him the green light.

The BMW M3 GT carrying number 1 will be crewed by last year’s winning quartet. Augusto Farfus (BR), Jörg Müller (DE), Uwe Alzen (DE) and Pedro Lamy (PT) will alternate at the wheel of the GT race car. Car number 7 will be driven by Dirk Müller (DE), Dirk Werner (DE) and Dirk Adorf (DE), with Lamy also nominated as fourth driver. In the Imola ILMC round Priaulx will be replaced by Werner.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: “For our team it is one race after another. After third in the GTE class in the Le Mans 24-hour race we face our home event at the Nürburgring. Following last year’s victory both our BMW M3 GT cars are the quarry, but this is a challenge we gladly accept. A very exciting race awaits us. It is a pity Andy Priaulx can’t be part of the team. However, his health is our first concern as he is a very important member of the BMW Motorsport family. Everyone at BMW wishes him a speedy recovery and hopes to see him back to his winning ways very soon. Nevertheless I am convinced we have a driver line-up that is able to fight from the front.”

Charly Lamm (Team Manager): “It certainly is something special to race at Le Mans, then head to the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife less than 14 days later to contest another 24-hour race. It is an intensive period for every single team member, and we are highly motivated. In Le Mans we obviously had many different experiences, and so this extra knowledge will flow naturally into our race in the Eifel. Our campaign in the VLN Endurance Championship has been positive, and we have been able to acclimatise ourselves to the Nordschleife, therefore we tackle the week full of confidence. It’s a strange feeling for everyone in the team and his fellow BMW drivers that Andy won’t be part of our line-up. However, health always holds priority. We wish him a speedy recuperation and will keep him informed about what’s going on over the weekend. We are looking forward to seeing him back in the BMW M3 GT soon.”

Augusto Farfus (car number 1): “Over the past weeks our programme has picked up pace. After Le Mans I headed home to Brazil to be with my wife and our new daughter. The birth of our baby motivated me tremendously for the Nürburgring. I will always cherish last year’s victory, and to repeat the result would be sensational. We will give it our all.”

Jörg Müller (car number 1): “Everyone knows how tough it is to win on the Nordschleife. But, of course, we always take that on board. If you see how hard everyone in the team works, then it’s clear our goal can only be a repeat of last year’s victory. The motivation is absolutely huge, but if we want to achieve it, then everything will have to come together perfectly. We have a great amount of respect for our opponents.”

Uwe Alzen (car number 1): “It will probably be difficult to repeat last year’s victory. But, of course we will try. In 2011 the competition is likely to be even stronger than last year. I am convinced we have a very good package. Luck naturally also plays a part. It never does you any harm on the Nordschleife when somebody does you the odd favour.”

Pedro Lamy (car number 1/7): “I am proud to have won a few times with BMW on the Nordschleife. But I also know this year’s race will be very tough. You can’t afford to make mistakes, and need to find a good rhythm. If we can make it through to the end without problems we have a good chance of success. I’m part of both cars line-up this year. I think I speak for all the drivers when I wish Andy a speedy recovery.”

Dirk Müller (car number 7): “The Nürburgring 24 Hours is the absolute highlight of the year. Personally I consider it to be more important than the 24-hour race in Le Mans, because at the Nordschleife we will be fighting for overall victory. I love this circuit, and the enthusiasm of the fans is unique.”

Dirk Werner (car number 7): “We had the potential to be in contention for a top place finish at the Nürburgring last year – as our victorious team colleagues demonstrated. I am naturally looking to do much better this year. My goal is to finish and to record a good position in the top rankings.”

Dirk Adorf (car number 7): “I desperately want to win the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. I have competed there so many times and even been on the podium. But the win has been, and remains, my biggest ambition. I will give everything to achieve it. The anticipation is building every day.”

Andy Priaulx: “There is nothing I hate more than missing a race, but I needed to have this operation and this timing seemed to make sense. I want to thank everyone at BMW Motorsport for their consideration and insistence that my health comes first. It was only sensible to get this operation out of the way, and then work on getting back to full fitness for the remainder of the season. I am not a good patient, so I shall be pushing my doctors for a speedy return to the track.”