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Historic Return for the BMW Z4 GT3 in Motorsport
The renowned BMW Z4 GT3, which previously clinched the British GT championship title, is set to make its return in the world of historic racing this season.
This iconic vehicle, driven by Marco Attard, helped Barwell Motorsport secure the drivers’ championship in 2014, with Attard and his co-driver Alexander Sims achieving two remarkable victories that year. The following season, the duo again showcased their skill by finishing as runners-up, adding another pair of wins to their impressive track record.
Beyond the British GT, the Z4 GT3 also took part in the Blancpain Endurance Series during the seasons of 2014 and 2015. Its last competitive appearance is believed to have occurred at the Nürburgring in September 2015, where it was piloted by a team including Oliver Bryant, Alasdair McCaig, and Devon Modell.
Recently, Bryant, a distinguished figure in historic racing who also triumphed in the Silverstone round of the British GT with this very car in 2013, took the Z4 GT3 for a demonstration run at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting. He is now preparing to race it at the upcoming Silverstone Festival in August.
“We’ve just brought it back from America, and I took it out for a shake-down to reacquaint myself with all its controls,” Bryant remarked. “It’s fantastic to have the car back on the track, especially 12 years after our victory at Silverstone. Even my racing suit still fits – just!”
He continued, “We have such fond memories with this car, and it feels surreal to be competing with it in a historic context now. The BMW has a distinctive and attractive livery. While it may be a little slower on straightaways, if we manage to secure a good qualifying position, I believe it can perform admirably – reminiscent of our success back in 2013.”
Adding to the excitement, former British GT and historic racer Jon Minshaw also showcased a comparable BMW at last year’s Silverstone Festival, securing victory in the Masters GT Trophy. The significance of these historic racing events was highlighted by a special shootout at Goodwood, celebrating the global GT3 category that was first introduced in 2006.
During this unique contest, triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx piloted a 2012 BMW Z4 to a commendable third place, while Andrew Jordan claimed victory driving a Chevrolet Corvette Z06.R from the same era.
Source
www.autosport.com