The BMW M lineup for the GP Ice Race 2020

DRIFT ON THE ROCKS.

BMW Group Classic at the GP Ice Race 2020 in Zell am See, Austria.

Drift on the rocks.BMW Group Classic at the GP Ice Race 2020 in Zell am See, Austria.

Flying ice crystals, freezing cold and spectacular drifts – the GP Ice Race 2020, taking place on an old airfield in the picturesque Austrian town of Zell am See, is centred around a fascination with the legendary winter racing events of the mid-twentieth century. Around 150 participants – amateurs, celebrities, drift specialists and seasoned professional drivers – will be fighting for the best lap times over the weekend of 1-2 February. The two-day event’s programme also includes GP ice-karting and skijoring, as well as charity and show races.

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GP Ice Race 2019
GP Ice Race 2019
GP Ice Race 2019
GP Ice Race 2019

FIGURE SKATING WITH THE BMW M3 E30.

BMW M is taking part in the new edition of the ice race, which was held last year for the first time in 45 years, with a genuine double-winner: the first-generation BMW M3 won the European Touring Car Hillclimb Championship in 1988 and 1989 with Frenchman Francis Dosières at the wheel. The BMW M3 then embarked on a second career as a rally car, where Dosières' compatriot Partick Artru regularly drove to multiple class wins in the French Rally Championship.

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The BMW M3 E30 Rally car from BMW Classic for the GP Ice Race 2020

The BMW M3 E30 rally car from BMW Classic

TAKING HISTORIC RACING CARS TO THE LIMIT.

On the specially prepared ice track at Zell am See, the BMW M3 will be driven by a local hero: 29-year-old DTM driver Philipp Eng was born in the Austrian city of Salzburg and the GP Ice Race is almost a home race for him. His anticipation is accordingly high: "It will be a hot dance, especially with this legend.” The icy surface is completely new terrain for the second winner being entered by BMW Group Classic: the MINI ALL4 Racing. Christian Menzel will compete in this rugged rally legend, which took Stéphane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret to victory in the 2012 Dakar Rally.

Another highlight at this unique event is a replica of the rally version of the classic Mini Cooper S that won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. While it might be small in stature, it caused a sensation just a few weeks ago at the Coppa delle Alpi 2019.
 

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The BMW M3 E30 Rally car from BMW Classic for the GP Ice Race 2020
The BMW M3 E30 Rally car from BMW Classic for the GP Ice Race 2020

The BMW M3 E30 rally car from BMW Classic

"It will be a hot dance, especially with that legend."
Philipp Eng, DTM Driver

LEGENDS OF LE MANS: BMW M1 AND V12 LMR.

BMW Group Classic will also present two other classics, including the mid-engined BMW M1 that competed at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1981. It’s also known by the nickname ‘Tavern Automobile’, after design artist Walter Maurer decorated its bodywork with hand-painted images of traditional Munich inns and sights, symbolising the close relationship between BMW and its local sponsors from Munich. At Zell am See, the BMW M1 will be shown together with a 1999 Le Mans winner: the open-top BMW V12 LMR. This the first works car with which BMW achieved overall victory in the world's most legendary endurance race.

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Le-Mans Sieger 1999: Der BMW V12 LMR
BMW M1 "Wirtshausauto" von 1981
Historc picture of the ‘International Motorcycle and Car Race’ 1960, Zell am See

© Archiv Edelweiss Classic Stiftungs GmbH/Icehistoric072020

Historc picture of the ‘International Motorcycle and Car Race’ 1960, Zell am See

Archiv Edelweiss Classic Stiftungs GmbH/Icehistoric072020

HISTORIC ORIGINS.

The origin of the GP Ice Race goes back to the 1928 Olympic Winter Games in St. Moritz. At that time, daredevil skiers were pulled across the icy track by galloping horses in an event known as ‘skijoring’. At Zell am See in 1937, the horses were replaced by motor vehicles for the first time in this discipline. In 1956, the ‘International Motorcycle and Car Race’ was founded on the town’s frozen lake.

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EVENT SCHEDULE 2020.

The event area will be open from 11am on Saturday, 1 February. The first qualifying runs start at 1pm. Pit Lane Night will run from 10pm until 12am. The event ends at 5pm on Sunday, 2 February.

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