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Schumacher and Berger test the BMW M3 GTR |
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Written by Jeff Seabrook
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Thursday February 26, 2004 |
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Munich/Monza (ITA), 26th February 2004. A brace of exclusive chauffeurs were to
be seen at the wheel of the BMW M3 GTR this week: on Wednesday and Thursday
respectively, Ralf Schumacher and Gerhard Berger put the BMW M3 GTR through its
paces at Italy's Monza circuit. The star of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and the
former BMW Motorsport Director enjoyed an outing in the muscular 450 bhp GT
sports car on the race track in Monza's Royal Park.
Schumacher clocked up a total of 37 laps. "It was a fun event for which I have
to thank BMW," he said. "Of course the driving experience is totally different
to Formula One - this is no open-top, and it's practically like driving in a
cage. You get pretty hot under the helmet. Those laps certainly had their
appeal."
Berger was no less enthusiastic: "Looking back on my touring
car days, I have to say the M3 GTR is a very powerful and fast car. Compared
with Formula One, of course, it doesn't quite have the same performance. I very
quickly settled into the car and clocked some good times," said the Austrian,
adding with a grin: "And thanks to power steering, you don't have to work as
hard as you used to."
The idea for this twofold test drive was hatched at
the BMW Motorsport Party held in early December at Seefeld. BMW Motorsport
Director Mario Theissen: "It was very late, and Ralf, Gerhard and I had
gravitated to the M3 GTR on display at the venue. Our shared enthusiasm for the
car culminated in the decision that the two drivers simply had to take it out
for a few fast laps. Schnitzer team manager Charly Lamm was there like a flash
to turn the idea into reality."
In 2004, BMW Motorsport is fielding two
BMW M3 GTRs in the 24-hour events at the Nürburgring/North Loop (12th/13th June)
and at Spa-Francorchamps (31st July/1st August) under the direction of Schnitzer
Motorsport and race strategist Lamm.
Test drives and fitness training
for ETCC drivers.
Monza was an obvious choice for this special outing by
Schumacher and Berger since, alongside development testing for the BMW M3 GTR
from 25th to 27th February, the BMW drivers of the European Touring Car
Championship (ETCC) were also carrying out test drives in the BMW 320i. Dirk and
Jörg Müller were out on the track in the two-litre touring cars fielded by
Schnitzer for BMW Team Deutschland. Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) and Antonio Garcia
(ESP) were at the wheel of the BMW 320i for BMW Team Italy/Spain run by Roberto
Ravaglia.
Alex Zanardi was visibly delighted at the special
modifications made to the BMW 320i on his behalf: "The new adjustments to the
car are just brilliant. I have a very good feeling about the car - I am
confident I will be competitive."
BMW's goal for the ETCC 2004 - the
season kicks off on 28th March in Monza - is to defend its Manufacturers' title
and win the Drivers' title. That's what the touring car drivers will be gearing
up for when they move on to Tuscany after their test drives to take part in
BMW's fitness training session from 28th February to 3rd March.
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Last Updated ( Thursday February 26, 2004 )
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BMW Racing News 
Friday July 03, 2009
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