Photo: BMW
BMW Motorsport is continuously looking for new talent and, to make sure everyone gets a chance from an early age, they just announced the introduction of a new junior program for GT and touring car racing.
Named BMW Motorsport Junior Programme, the aim is to introduce a new multi-level junior concept in which contenders of at least 18 years of age get to prove their skills on the iconic Nurburgring-Nordschleife track.
In order to apply, the youngsters must have previously gained possession of a license to race on the aforementioned track. After that they will be given a brand new BMW M235i Racing and given the chance to prove what they know.
Racing in the VLN Endurance Championship will be part of the training program and the participants will partake in all three races of the event, to gain experience behind the wheel of a professional racing car with a professional team behind them. They will also have the chance to drive Formula BMW FB02 racing cars and will undergo courses about fitness and PR.
“This re-alignment allows us to underline our focus on production-based motor racing and to shift our traditional promotion of junior drivers to the field of GT and touring car racing,“ said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.
“In single-seater racing our concept has borne fruit for decades through Formula BMW and the Formula BMW Talent Cup, paving the way for successful motor racing careers for drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hülkenberg. The tradition of supporting young touring car drivers stretches back as far as the 1970s, when the BMW Junior Team made a name for itself,” he added.
“We would now like to revive this link to production-based motor racing in 2014. It fits in very well with our current motorsport programme. In the BMW M235i Racing we have the perfect entry-level model in our range, while the BMW M235i Racing Cup class offers an ideal platform,” Marquardt said about the new program.
“The BMW Motorsport Junior Programme is intended to run for several years. In 2014 we are taking the first step towards our long-term goal of seeing one of our own juniors join the squad of BMW works drivers racing in the GT3 field,” Jens claimed.
After proving their worth, the young racers will then be cautiously promoted to higher classes like the GT4 category and even GT3.
The first man to join the class of 2014 is Alexander Mies from Germany. He’s only 21 and has already driven in the VLN Endurance Championship winning the ‘Best Junior’ trophy in 2013. His mentor is none other than Dirk Adorf that is helping him grow even further.
“When I received the news I had been accepted on the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme I had a huge grin on my face. I am absolutely delighted to have the chance to drive for BMW. It is a huge opportunity for a young driver like me to be supported in this way by a manufacturer,” said Mies.
“The programme is very comprehensive. We will also receive training in areas such as fitness, nutrition, mental training and media work. Because of this, I am confident the time on the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme will prove very beneficial for me – both on and off the track, ” Alexander added.
In order to apply, the youngsters must have previously gained possession of a license to race on the aforementioned track. After that they will be given a brand new BMW M235i Racing and given the chance to prove what they know.
Racing in the VLN Endurance Championship will be part of the training program and the participants will partake in all three races of the event, to gain experience behind the wheel of a professional racing car with a professional team behind them. They will also have the chance to drive Formula BMW FB02 racing cars and will undergo courses about fitness and PR.
“This re-alignment allows us to underline our focus on production-based motor racing and to shift our traditional promotion of junior drivers to the field of GT and touring car racing,“ said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.
“In single-seater racing our concept has borne fruit for decades through Formula BMW and the Formula BMW Talent Cup, paving the way for successful motor racing careers for drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hülkenberg. The tradition of supporting young touring car drivers stretches back as far as the 1970s, when the BMW Junior Team made a name for itself,” he added.
“We would now like to revive this link to production-based motor racing in 2014. It fits in very well with our current motorsport programme. In the BMW M235i Racing we have the perfect entry-level model in our range, while the BMW M235i Racing Cup class offers an ideal platform,” Marquardt said about the new program.
“The BMW Motorsport Junior Programme is intended to run for several years. In 2014 we are taking the first step towards our long-term goal of seeing one of our own juniors join the squad of BMW works drivers racing in the GT3 field,” Jens claimed.
After proving their worth, the young racers will then be cautiously promoted to higher classes like the GT4 category and even GT3.
The first man to join the class of 2014 is Alexander Mies from Germany. He’s only 21 and has already driven in the VLN Endurance Championship winning the ‘Best Junior’ trophy in 2013. His mentor is none other than Dirk Adorf that is helping him grow even further.
“When I received the news I had been accepted on the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme I had a huge grin on my face. I am absolutely delighted to have the chance to drive for BMW. It is a huge opportunity for a young driver like me to be supported in this way by a manufacturer,” said Mies.
“The programme is very comprehensive. We will also receive training in areas such as fitness, nutrition, mental training and media work. Because of this, I am confident the time on the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme will prove very beneficial for me – both on and off the track, ” Alexander added.
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