BMW announces thats its a fully fledged Factory backed team for the 2017 BTCC Season.

• Returning as a Manufacturer Team after 21 years.
• Marking ten years relationship with West Surrey Racing.
• Welcoming back 2014 BTCC Champion, Colin Turkington.
• Celebrating signing of multiple BTCC Independent Drivers Champion, Andrew Jordan.
• Renewing seven year WSR deal with Series’ favourite, Rob Collard.
• The Series commences at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 1-2 April 2017.

A further chapter in BMW’s illustrious history in touring car racing unfolded today as BMW UK, in partnership with West Surrey Racing (WSR), announced a three-car team that will again bid for victory of the 2017 British Touring Car Championship.

The announcement of TEAM BMW is a landmark occasion, marking BMW’s return to the country’s best-watched motor race series as a manufacturer team. It has been 21 years since the marque last contested the series in this manner, when BMW Team Schnitzer fielded a BMW 320i line-up.

Graeme Grieve, CEO of BMW Group UK, commented: “The BTCC is one of the most significant race series in the UK and has a huge and enthusiastic following. With a history of success and the continuous support of WSR for the past decade, we are delighted to step up as a Manufacturer Team again after 21 years.”  

BMW UK’s significant financial investment in the BTCC team includes the funding of technical developments on all fronts, focused on the very latest BMW engine derivative.

At the launch at BMW Park Lane, London, Graeme Grieve joined WSR Team Principal, Dick Bennetts, to remove the wraps from one of the three BMW 125i M Sport team cars that will contest the 2017 BTCC. With the cars freshly-developed, prepared and run again by WSR, BMW’s return to the Series as a Manufacturer coincides with a further landmark, marking a decade since WSR first contested the BTCC with BMW, which has endured to this day.

The BMW relationship with Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury-based operation in the BTCC was established in 2007, where they claimed both the Independent Drivers and Teams Championships. They repeated the feat in 2008 and went on to take the overall BTCC Drivers’ title in 2009, and added a driver and team double crown in 2014.

Dick Bennetts remarked: “I reckon that working together successfully as motorsport partners for ten years is the equivalent of a lifelong marriage. It is a tribute to BMW’s product and commitment, and we are delighted to once again represent the marque as they return with increased commitment as a Manufacturer in the BTCC.”

Significantly, the driver roll of honour for each of the three BTCC Independent, Overall and Teams Championship victories fell to Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington.

Turkington has spent nine of his 12 BTCC seasons with the WSR-BMW team, during which he scored 26 wins over five seasons. Now, two years after claiming the outright Drivers Championship at the wheel of a previous-generation BMW 125i M Sport, he returns to the rear-wheel drive TEAM BMW with renewed vigour.

Driver talent runs deep in BMW’s 2017 BTCC campaign. Joining Turkington is Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC Overall Drivers Champion and three-time Independent Drivers Champion - who brings with him long-term personal sponsor, Pirtek. Completing the trio is Rob Collard, a BTCC followers’ favourite and the Series’ legendary overtaker who, after his most competitive season to date in 2016, marks the tenth consecutive year he has driven a BMW in the BTCC, the last seven with WSR.

Last year, the trio of WSR-prepared BMW 125i M Sport cars contributed to a nail-biting finale that went down to the wire at the final round. Team driver Sam Tordoff was pipped at the post for the overall driver’s title, just two points shy of victory. Nevertheless, the WSR BMW team claimed a double title success at the conclusion of the series, taking the BTCC Constructors crown and the Teams’ Championship once again.

Entering the 2017 season of the super-competitive BTCC, TEAM BMW has heavyweight success behind it, increased financial and technical investment from BMW UK, the skills, consistency and superb track record of West Surrey Racing, and a driver trio that collectively represents the most powerful line-up in this year’s BTCC series.

The history behind the success: WSR and BMW

A switch to BMW machinery in 2007 marked the start of the most successful chapter in WSR’s touring car history. Colin Turkington became independents’ champion in his first season with the BMW 320si and added an overall title in ’09 and a race win in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for WSR the following year.

Replacing the 320si model with the new BMW 1 Series for 2013 paved the way for another overall title for Turkington in 2014. He also won the independents’ title – the fifth for a WSR driver in 11 seasons – and helped the team add a fourth independent teams’ crown in the same year.

The 2015 season brought race victories for WSR’s three drivers; Rob Collard, Sam Tordoff and Andy Priaulx while Collard, Tordoff and Jack Goff combined to win the constructors’ and teams’ championships in 2016; the latter under the Team JCT600 with GardX banner.

TEAM BMW: Driver biographies 2017 British Touring Car Championship

ROB COLLARD

Nationality: British

DOB: 1st October 1968

Age: 48

Born: Hampshire

Lives: Eversley

BTCC History

BTCC Debut: Oulton Park, 29 May 2000

BTCC starts: 427

BTCC wins: 13

BTCC podiums: 53

Fastest laps: 15

Drivers Titles

(2016 Dunlop MSA BTCC #ForeverForward Trophy winner)

2003 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers’ Trophy

ANDREW JORDAN

Nationality: British

DOB: 24th May 1989

Age: 27

Born: Sutton Coldfield

Lives: Lichfield

BTCC History

BTCC Debut: Brands Hatch, 30th March 2008

BTCC starts: 265

BTCC wins: 16

BTCC poles: 6

BTCC podiums: 53

Fastest laps: 16

Drivers Titles

2016 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy

2013 Dunlop MSA BTCC Drivers Championship

2013 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy

2012 Dunlop MSA BTCC Independent Drivers Trophy

2007 British Rallycross Supercar Championship

2005 British, BTRDA & Super Series Junior Rallycross Championships

2005 Ginetta Winter Series

2004 BTRDA Junior Rally Championship

2003 Winter Junior Rallycross Championship

COLIN TURKINGTON

Nationality: British

DOB: 21st March 1982

Age: 34

Born: Newry, County Down

Lives: Portadown, County Armagh

BTCC History

BTCC Debut: Oulton Park 21st April 2002

BTCC starts: 333

BTCC wins: 41

BTCC poles: 17

BTCC podiums: 110

Fastest laps: 39

Driver titles

2016 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th Drivers Championship

BRDC Silver Star Winner

2015 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th Drivers Championship

Independent Drivers Champion

2014 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st Champion

Independent Drivers Champion

Autosport National Driver of the Year

BRDC Silver Star Winner

2013 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship

2011 SCANDINAVIAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship

2011 World Touring Car Championship - 3 Events (1 podium finish)

2010 FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6 Events

(4 podiums including 1 win – Japan)

2009 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st Champion

Independent Drivers Champion

BMW Sports Trophy winner

Autosport National Driver of the Year

2008 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - 4th Drivers Championship

Independent Drivers Champion

2007 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th Drivers Championship

Independent Drivers Champion

BMW Sports Trophy Winner

3rd WTCC Race of Great Britain

8th WTCC Race of Macau

2006 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 3rd Drivers Championship

2005 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship

2004 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship

2003 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 8th Drivers Championship

2002 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 14th Drivers Championship

2001 FORD FIESTA ZETEC S CHAMPIONSHIP – Champion

The Series commences at the opening rounds at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 1-2 April 2017.

Valtteri Bottas becomes the 11th driver to compete in Formula One with the Silver Arrows

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will race for the Silver Arrows in 2017

• Valtteri Bottas becomes the 11^th driver to compete in Formula One with the Silver Arrows
• Nico Rosberg accepts ambassadorial role with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport
• Toto Wolff: “It’s time to see how Valtteri can step up to challenge for wins and Championships”
• Valtteri Bottas: “I’m grateful to Mercedes for trusting my skills and giving me this opportunity”

It’s been 55 days since Nico Rosberg dropped the bombshell of his immediate retirement from Formula One. And it left the team with a conundrum: how to best fill the vacant seat alongside three-time champion Lewis Hamilton in order to defend the Constructors’ Championship?

Following six weeks of detailed evaluation, deliberation and negotiation, the answer can now be confirmed officially: we signed Valtteri Bottas this morning. The 27-year-old native of Nastola, Finland has completed four seasons in Formula One with Williams, making 77 starts and scoring 9 career podiums so far.

“Sometimes in life, unexpected circumstances provide interesting opportunities. Nico’s decision in December was a big surprise – certainly a challenging situation for the team to handle. 

But weathering the storm makes you more resilient and we see this as another opportunity for the team to grow,” explained Toto Wolff as he introduced the fourth driver to race for the Silver Arrows in the modern era.

“Valtteri is a no-nonsense guy: down to earth, straightforward and very focused. Pretty Finnish, to be honest, and a great fit for us. He has an impressive track record in the junior categories and nine podiums in F1. 

But now it’s time for the next level, to see how he can step up to challenge for race wins and for Championships. We know that we are already behind the curve in terms of preparations for the new season, so we’ve got a busy programme to get him integrated into the team. One thing is for sure: as I know Valtteri, he will give it everything.”

Valtteri was cautiously optimistic when he met his new team-mates in the factory today. “It’s very exciting times for me,” he grinned. “I think it’s going to take a while to understand that this is really happening. 

It’s definitely another dream come true, to race in another team with such great history – especially in the recent years, which have been so impressive. I’m really proud to become a part of that and grateful to everyone at Mercedes for trusting my skills and giving me this opportunity.

“I’ve had a really warm welcome so far. Of course, I have a lot more people to meet and new faces to remember. But initially everything has felt very good. I’m really impressed with the facilities and I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone better. My first experience with Mercedes power was in F3 back in 2009 and, of course, I know the Power Unit well from the last three years with Williams. But there are a lot of new things to learn with the car and also with how the team operates at the factory, in testing and at the races.”

The scale of the challenge ahead cannot be underestimated. New aerodynamic regulations mean a reset for the entire field and there is genuine uncertainty about which team will emerge on top; Valtteri is paired with probably the most ferociously fast team-mate in the sport, Lewis Hamilton; and there are just 70 days until the red lights go out at the start of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

“We have confidence in Valtteri’s ability and it’s one of the reasons that he is the driver we set our sights on this winter,” continued Toto. “The next weeks will be busy as we work to build relationships so Valtteri understands the team and the car. But that’s an exciting challenge that will bring us fresh energy and a new dynamic between the drivers. And, of course, we’re working hard to give Lewis and Valtteri the car they need to do the job.”

Valtteri is under no illusions about the task ahead: “I’m ready to work hard, to prove myself to the team and to prove my skills. It’s going to be a challenging season and joining a new team makes it more work than normal. But I’m 100% ready for that. I’m training hard to be at my physical best because it will be much tougher with these new cars. I always set the bar really high, so my target is to perform from the first race. I’m full of energy and ready to get to work for this year and hopefully many more to come with Mercedes.”

The agreement for Valtteri to join Mercedes has not happened in isolation. With today’s announcements that Pascal Wehrlein will join Sauber for 2017, and that Felipe Massa will return to Williams, the final pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place for this year. And that has only been possible thanks to positive working relationships between all the teams involved in a complex chain of negotiations.

“On behalf of Mercedes, I must thank Williams for their cooperation in allowing Valtteri to make this move – and also Monisha and Sauber for their patience during the past weeks,” concluded Toto. 

“It’s been a busy day in the driver market and I am pleased to know that Pascal will be racing at Sauber to continue his development in F1. He had a good first season with Manor and we feel this is the right path for him in the sport. 

It’s satisfying to have both of our Young Drivers taking on new challenges in F1 this year, with Esteban also racing at Force India. We’ll be following their progress closely; I’m sure we’ve got an exciting season ahead of us.”

From Valtteri, too, there were warm words for his friends and colleagues at Williams: “I had a great seven years there, starting as a test driver in 2010. I’m very proud of what we achieved together and I leave with some very good memories. 

My debut in F1, my first points and nine podiums all came with the guys and girls at Grove, so I must say a big thanks to everyone and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

As Valtteri now begins a busy week of technical and physical preparations for the new season, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport is pleased to confirm that Nico has accepted an ambassadorial role with the team for 2017.

His first commitment will be tomorrow, in Geneva, alongside former team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) on behalf of team partner IWC Schaffhausen.

Nissan's new GT500 challenger, which aims to battle for championship success in 2017, was revealed on the eve of last weekend's Super GT final rounds.

Nissan's new GT500 challenger, which aims to battle for championship success in 2017, was revealed on the eve of last weekend's Super GT final rounds.

The Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 was unveiled at Twin Ring Motegi along with entries from rivals Lexus and Honda.

New regulations for 2017 include a 25 percent reduction in total downforce in all GT500 machines. 

NISMO has also incorporated enhancements with endurance and reliability, while further advances were achieved in power output.

The car's dynamics were also improved through a lowered center of gravity and an optimization of weight distribution.

The new car aims to continue the incredible success for Nissan in recent years, which won the championship 2014 and 2015 and won five of the eight rounds in 2016.

"We will make further development improvements during off-season tests and aim to create a race car that will shine brilliantly within the history of motorsports," said president and CEO of NISMO, Takao Katagiri. "We hope to thrill fans with a fast, more appealing GT-R that will excite fans as it lines up on the grid for the opening round competing against the new Lexus and Honda machines."

Fans will get another chance to view the 2017-spec GT500 GT-R at the upcoming NISMO Festival in Japan scheduled for Fuji International Speedway on December 11.

NISMO Calendar

November 19-20

FIA WEC, Bahrain

December 3-4

Australian Supercars, Homebush Street Circuit, Sydney, NSW,Australia

December 11

NISMO Festival, Fuji International Speedway, Japan

PARIS - Audi Sport launches the RS 3 TCR up and ready for customer racing, Audi adds another model to its pedigree.

• Audi RS 3 LMS new entry-level model for customer sport
• Touring car for worldwide TCR racing series
• Managing Director Stephan Winkelmann: “Attractive opportunity to get started in fascinating Audi racing”

With a racing version of the new Audi RS 3 that made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, Audi Sport customer racing will extend its offering in customer sport starting in the 2017 season. The TCR version of the Audi RS 3 sedan puts customer sport at Audi on an even broader base.

“Audi has been active in motorsport on the highest level for generations,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director at Audi Sport with responsibility for the Audi R and RS models which Audi sells under the “Audi Sport” label. 

 “With the Audi R8 LMS, Audi Sport customer racing, in a very short time, managed to build a successful customer sport program alongside the factory commitments in the WEC and the DTM. The Audi R8 LMS has since become the market leader in its segment. We have the same plans for the Audi RS 3 LMS, which offers customers an attractive opportunity to get started in fascinating Audi racing.” 

The Audi RS 3 LMS is being developed by Audi Sport customer racing for the TCR category which is still relatively new. In addition to an international TCR series, with some of its races being held as part of the FIA Formula One World Championship supporting program, more and more national racing series for TCR touring cars are being founded. Even major endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring are now including TCR classes.

“The TCR market has even larger potential than that of the GT3 category,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “In 2016, there were ten TCR series with races in 18 countries, and more and more series are being added. With the TCR version of the RS 3 we’re also reaching countries where no GT3 races are held. The costs for a TCR race car are very low. As a result, we’re going to win new customers for Audi Sport as well. In terms of support and parts supply, they’ll benefit from the experiences we’ve been gathering with the Audi R8 LMS since 2009, which our GT3 customers have come to appreciate.” 

The Audi RS 3 LMS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of about 240 km/h. In TCR trim, the proven four-cylinder two-liter TFSI engine delivers 243 kW (330 hp).

In terms of safety, Audi Sport customer racing is not making any compromises. The extensive safety package includes an FIA-conformant safety fuel tank, a racing safety cell, the PS3 safety seat, FIA safety nets on both sides of the seat and a rescue hatch in the roof like the one used in the Audi R8 LMS.

Audi Sport customer racing will start delivering the first Audi RS 3 LMS cars to customers this December, in time before the seasons of the major TCR racing series open in 2017. The purchase price is 129,000 euros (plus VAT) for the TCR version with a sequential six-speed racing transmission and 99,000 euros (plus VAT) for a club sport version.

Citroen Racing announces it's plans for the next few years, OUT goes WTCC IN comes WRC.

Unveiling its future in motor sport, Citroën has announced that it will be taking part in the World Rally Championship from 2017.The team’s entry will be based on cars designed in line with the FIA’s new technical regulations. 

In order to dedicate as many resources as possible to development of the new car, the Citroën Racing team will be putting its involvement in the WRC on hold next season. 

In 2016, the Citroën Total team will defend its FIA WTCC world titles with two Citroën C-Elysée WTCCs, driven by José María López and Yvan Muller.

Citroën has won an incredible fifteen world titles over the last twenty-two years, between 1993 and 2015: five in the Cross Country Rally World Cup, eight in the WRC and two in the WTCC.

The brand’s success in the motor sport industry has become a key component in developing Citroën’s new brand image, while contributing to the growth of the company.

As the 2015 season draws to a close, Citroën outlined plans for its next challenge, focusing on the brand’s core values: team spirit, pushing yourself to the limit and creativity. In line with the strategy defined by Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Management Board, the brand will concentrate its sporting commitments on a single worldwide programme.

After reviewing all of the current motor sport categories, Citroën has chosen to compete in the FIA World Rally Championship due to the brand's past success in the sport and future opportunities available that will reaffirm the brand’s position in the industry.

“With eight world titles and a record 94 wins, Citroën has certainly enjoyed unrivalled success in the WRC,” commented Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of the Citroën brand. “Rallying is a fascinating sport, which tests the performance, reliability and solidity of the cars and drivers in some magnificent settings. 

The category is taking off again, with increasingly widespread live television coverage and the arrival of China on the calendar in 2016. In 2017, the appearance of a new generation of cars will coincide with our renewed involvement. 

Everything will therefore be in place for us to write a new chapter in the brand’s history. Given Citroën’s rich heritage, this challenge had to be ambitious with new objectives that will motivate the team and ensure continual success.”

The 2017 generation of World Rally Cars will be more impressive with more powerful engines and imposing aerodynamic features. This radical change in the regulations will enable Citroën Racing to compete on equal terms with its rivals, after devoting 2016 to the development of the new model.

“We have always been interested in the 2017 WRC regulations and the entire team is extremely motivated by this new challenge,” commented Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal.

“We’re excited by this new level of freedom to make the cars more spectacular, but also the possibility of reusing development work done on the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC’s engine. 

With a view to managing our resources efficiently, we have decided to focus all our efforts on designing and developing our new World Rally Car. This is why Citroën will not be competing in the 2016 World Rally Championship as a works team. 

We will obviously be keeping a close eye on the WRC, both with the organisation of the FIA Junior WRC and with the WRC2 programme for Quentin Gilbert, this year’s JWRC Champion*.”

A THIRD SEASON IN THE FIA WTCC

Citroën Racing does not intend to stay out of racing altogether next year. 

After starting in 2014, the FIA WTCC programme will conclude at the end of a third season. As the category leader since it entered the WTCC, the Citroën Total team will be aiming to successfully defend its manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles. 

Two Citroën C-Elysée WTCCs will be entrusted to two drivers who have claimed six of the category’s last eight world titles*: the Argentinian José María López and the Frenchman Yvan Muller.

“Still determined to make the most of our resources, we will de defending our titles with a team of two works cars,” said Yves Matton. “With the arrival of a new, ambitious manufacturer, we’re expecting the competition to be even tougher next year. 

Pechito and Yvan are used to working together and making the success of the team their number one priority. 

Next year, they will need to be even more together to enable Citroën to conclude its programme successfully. Other Citroën C-Elysée WTCCs may be entered by the Sébastien Loeb Racing team for private drivers.”

“The last two years have undoubtedly been the greatest of my career. I am therefore delighted to be able to continue competing with Citroën Racing in 2016,” commented Pechito López. “We are going to keep working, all together, so that the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC remains the category’s leading car. And our goal is to defend our titles!”

“I’m proud to have taken part in building what is currently the best team in the FIA WTCC. I’m also honoured to have been chosen to continue competing on behalf of Citroën,” added Yvan Muller.

“We have to adjust to the new shape of the team, but we can count on the talent and experience of the team to maintain the same level of excellence.”

THE START OF A NEW ADVENTURE FOR SÉBASTIEN LOEB

Nine-time World Rally Champion with Citroën, Sébastien Loeb is also one of the most versatile drivers ever seen in the history of motor sport. 24 Hours of Le Mans, F1, GT, Pikes Peak and, of course, the WTCC all feature among the experiences of this prodigiously talented racing driver. 

For his next challenge, Sébastien Loeb has chosen to take on the Dakar Rally, alongside his long-time co-driver Daniel Elena as part of the Peugeot Sport team. 

PSA Peugeot Citroën’s iconic ambassador, the Frenchman is switching from red to blue but with the change comes a new chapter that is about to begin.

“This marks the end of one chapter for me, but what I want to focus on today is my satisfaction at having participated in Citroën’s success in the WRC and WTCC,” said Sébastien Loeb. 

“Apart from the figures and the records, we have shared some magnificent experiences together. It’s hard to believe that most of the members of this amazing team started fifteen years ago! I’ll miss their hunger for success and limitless motivation, but I won’t be far away. 

I’m staying within the PSA Peugeot Citroën group to take on a new challenge.”

“In the last fifteen years, Sébastien Loeb and Citroën have made history together. It has been an absolutely incredible period that will leave a lasting mark in the world of motor sport. 

We would like to thank him for all these wins, titles and records, which have helped to renew the brand and boost its international reputation,” emphasised Linda Jackson. “Sébastien is now about to embark on a new adventure with another brand in the group. We wish them lots of success together, starting with next year’s Dakar Rally.”

CITROËN AND CROSS COUNTRY RALLYING IN FIGURES

5 world titles 1993-1997

36 wins i.e. 86% of races

4 Dakar Rally wins 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1996

CITROËN AND THE WRC IN FIGURES

8 world titles 2003-2005 and 2008-2012	94 wins (record)	38 consecutive podiums (record) Mexico 2008 – GB 2010
29 one-two finishes (record)	78 wins for Sébastien Loeb (record)	9 world titles for Loeb/Elena (2004-2012)

CITROËN AND THE WTCC IN FIGURES

2 world titles 2014-2015*

36 wins i.e. 80% of races

21 pole positions i.e. 91% of meetings

* Subject to publication of the official results by the FIA.