BMW M Race of Legends.

CLASH OF LEGENDS.

BMW M Race of Legends at the Nürburgring.

CLASH OF LEGENDS.BMW M Race of Legends at the Nürburgring.
25. May 2022

Two anniversaries at once: 50 years of BMW M and the 50th 24-hours race at the Nürburgring. BMW M GmbH is staging an extraordinary race to celebrate: the BMW M Race of Legends. Twelve BMW racing legends will go head to head in a 30-minute race on the Grand Prix track just before the 24-hour race gets underway on Saturday 28th May, 2022.

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THE STARTING GRID.

BMW racing legends take each other on.

They have shaped shaped motorsport and experienced significant success for BMW: Twelve motorsport legends will compete against each other in identical BMW M2 CS Racing in the Race of Legends. There is one special feature: the minimum age for starters is 50.

 

The competitors are: Dirk Adorf (DE), Bill Auberlen (USA), Johnny Cecotto (VEN), Eddie Cheever (USA), Harald Grohs (DE), Olaf Manthey (DE), Jochen Mass (DE), Arturo Merzario (IT), Steve Soper (UK), HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria (DE), Franciscus van Meel (NL) and Eric van de Poele (BEL).

 

BMW Group Classic brand ambassador HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria will also be supporting the drivers as patron of the extravaganza along with Jochen Neerpasch, co-founder of BMW Motorsport GmbH and mentor of the current BMW Junior Team.

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Eddie Cheever was part of the first, legendary BMW Junior Team in 1977 at the age of 19.

Eddie Cheever was part of the first, legendary BMW Junior Team in 1977 at the age of 19.

In the early 1990s, Johnny Cecotto was successful in the DTM and in 24-hour races with the BMW M3.

In the early 1990s, Johnny Cecotto was successful in the DTM and in 24-hour races with the BMW M3.

He won the very first DTM race in 1984: Harald Grohs.

He won the very first DTM race in 1984: Harald Grohs.

Touring car legend Roberto Ravaglia.

Touring car legend Roberto Ravaglia.

Eddie Cheever (left) with his former team-mate Marc Surer and a BMW 320 Group 5.

Eddie Cheever (left) with his former team-mate Marc Surer and a BMW 320 Group 5.

Johnny Cecotto's motorsport successes include the victory in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race in 1992.

Johnny Cecotto's motorsport successes include the victory in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race in 1992.

In 1975, Harald Grohs drove his first race on the Nordschleife as a BMW works driver.

In 1975, Harald Grohs drove his first race on the Nordschleife as a BMW works driver.

Roberto Ravaglia took victory in the 1989 DTM in the BMW M3 E30.

Roberto Ravaglia took victory in the 1989 DTM in the BMW M3 E30.

THE RACE CAR.

BMW M2 CS racing in iconic design.

The 365-hp BMW M2 CS Racing will be sporting an iconic BMW M racing design from the 1970s in honour of BMW M GmbH’s racing history, which will be slightly different to identify each of the drivers.

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Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, is also taking part in the Race of Legends with this M2 CS Racing.

Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, is also taking part in the Race of Legends with this M2 CS Racing.

"This year we will be celebrating a huge anniversary party on the weekend of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring to mark the 50th anniversary of BMW Motorsport and BMW M GmbH. There will be plenty of BMW M highlights in store for spectators and fans. One special treat will be the BMW M Race of Legends, with a starting grid of racing legends that is rarely seen. We would like to thank ADAC e.V. for giving us this opportunity."
Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH

THE PROGRAMME.

The twelve racing legends will take to the Grand Prix track at the Nürburgring as follows:

 

Thursday 26th May, 2022

09:50 to 10:10, 1st free practice session

10:20 to 10:40, 2nd free practice session

 

Friday 27th May, 2022

 

15:40 to 16:10, 3rd free practice session

16:20 to 16:30, Qualifying

 

Saturday 28th May, 2022

13:40 to 13:50, Starting formation

14:00 to 14:30, race (30 min.)

The huge number of fans will also be able to catch up with them in the paddock where they will be available for selfies and autographs.

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