Motorsport News

Roving reporters Jeff Heywood & Paul Kelly motorsportnews

BMW Motorsport’s M8 GTE makes its final bow at Road Atlanta

After two Rolex 24 Hour victories at Daytona and five IMSA series class wins, the farewell race of the M8 GTE added the 26th podium finish and a pole position to the car’s history books. At the Petit Le Mans 10H, the final race of the season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Road Atlanta in November, Jesse Krohn put the #24 M8 GTE on pole position in class and led the field into the last race of the GTLM era. The race proved to be tougher than qualifying, but shortly before the end of the ten hours, Krohn and his BMW Team RLL colleagues John Edwards and Augusto Farfus took over P3 and could step on the GTLM podium one final time. The #25 M8 GTE sister car had to retire due to a race incident.

After the dominant performance by Krohn in qualifying, both GTEs struggled to match the pace of the Corvettes and Porsches. It was always a stickler for the team having to run restrictors to limit power from BMW’s twin turbo V8 engine. The GTE drivers kept fighting until the end of the race and were awarded with a late promotion to P3 in the race, finishing the race in third place behind a pair of Porsche 911 RSRs. Farfus had the honour of finishing the last stint of the last race for the M8 GTE.

A blurry Bibendum waves goodbye to BMWs M8 GTE. The big coupe raced for the final time in the Petit Le Mans 10H Race at Road Atlanta. The #24 M8 GTE is seen here trying to stay ahead of a Porsche 911 RSR in the race and would eventually finish third. The M8 GTE has been made obsolete by a change in racing categories from the current GTLM to GTD Pro in 2022

After the farewell of the M8 GTE, BMW Team RLL now sets sights towards its future in GTD Pro with the M4 GT3 in 2022 and in the LMDh class with the BMW M LMDh in 2023.

Jesse Krohne, Augusto Farfus and John Edwards celebrate their third place finish in the Petit le Mans 10H Race at Road Atlanta as well as the M8 GTE’s final ever race

BMW M2 Cup set for 2022

After the successful premiere of the BMW M2 Cup in 2021, the one-make cup has now announced its race calendar for the coming season. It once again features twelve races over six weekends as part of the support programme for the DTM. “For us, the debut season of the BMW M2 Cup was a big success”, said Thomas Felbermair, Vice President Sales and Marketing BMW M GmbH. “The feedback of the drivers was entirely positive. The BMW M2 CS Racing has racing DNA that is typical for BMW M. I’m really looking forward to the 2022 season and hope for another thrilling title battle.”

After a successful first season of racing, the BMW M2 Cup sees it supporting the DTM once again in 2022 featuring twelve rounds at six races

BMW Car Club GB Ireland Tour

4th – 8th September 2022 | Killarney, County Kerry

Join fellow BMW owners in exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery on this relaxed driving holiday. The combination of rugged coastlines, imposing mountains and picturesque villages make this area perfect for exploring in your car. When you are not out enjoying the pre-planned circular daydrives, you will be able to relax at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens, which will host us for four nights.

What is included:

• Return cruise ferry crossings from Holyhead –

Dublin with Stena Line (other routes are also available) • 4 nights at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens in Killarney, in a double or twin garden room. • Breakfast at the hotel each morning • Sunday evening welcome barbecue in the hotel’s gardens • Wednesday night tour dinner • Use of the hotel’s facilities including swimming pool, gymnasium, horse stables, fishing & indoor tennis courts

• Suggested driving routes, route plans & rally boards

Tour Price:

£879.00 per person (based on 2 people in a car sharing a double or twin room) A non-refundable deposit of £200.00 per person will be required at the time of booking This exclusive tour will be limited to 25 cars.

Please call Travel Destinations on 01707 329988 to reserve your place.