BMW Z4 GT3

BMW Z4 GT3

The BMW Z4 GT3 is a racing car built by BMW Motorsport according to the FIA GT3 regulations . The base vehicle is the BMW Z4 (E89) . The BMW Z4 GT3 was presented to the public at the beginning of March 2010 and is geared towards customer racing. A modification called the BMW Z4 GTE according to the ACO GTE regulations has been available since 2013 .

Vehicle concept

body

The sheet steel body of the BMW Z4 GT3 was manufactured at the BMW plant in Regensburg on the same assembly line as the body of the street version of the BMW Z4 and then converted by hand. A safety cell made of high-strength precision steel tubing was welded in. Front and rear aprons, bonnet, roof, fenders, rear wings and other components are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic . The lightweight construction of the BMW Z4 GT3 has a vehicle weight of approx. 1190 kilograms. Around 700 working hours are required to fully assemble a BMW Z4 GT3.

engine

The racing engine in the BMW Z4 GT3 has the engine code P65 and its basic features are based on the S65 . A 4.0 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine was used until July 2010. This came from the BMW M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) and was used in a similar design in the BMW M3 GT . In the BMW Z4 GT3, the engine developed approx. 353 kW (480 hp) at 8300 rpm and was able to deliver a maximum torque of 460 Nm at 5500 rpm. The maximum speed was 8500 rpm.

Compared to the competing models, the BMW Z4 GT3 with the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine had a performance deficit and thus disadvantages in fast sections of the route. Therefore, in August 2010, BMW homologated the variant from the street-legal BMW M3 GTS, which had been drilled out to just under 4.4 liters . In the BMW Z4 GT3, the engine has an output of approx. 379 kW (515 hp) at 8300 rpm, with the output depending on the air flow limiter prescribed in the respective racing series . The maximum torque of approx. 515 Nm is available at 5500 rpm. The maximum speed is 8600 rpm. The engine block is cast in the light metal foundry at BMW's Landshut plant .

drive

A sequential six-speed gearbox with paddles on the steering wheel and a cardan shaft transmit the power to the rear axle. The rear axle differential and the drive shafts come from the BMW Dingolfing plant .

landing gear

The racing suspension has adjustable shock absorbers and stabilizers. 18-inch BBS wheels with central locking are mounted. The brake discs have a diameter of 378 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear. There are six-piston calipers on the front brake discs and four-piston calipers on the rear.

Electrics

The BMW Z4 has electronic driving aids such as a racing anti-lock braking system , traction control (ASC) and, as the only GT3 racing car, an electronic stability program (DSC). In the cockpit there is a multifunction steering wheel and a multifunction display with integrated shift lights.

Optional extras

For 24-hour races, BMW Motorsport offers a long-distance package that includes reinforced brakes and drive shafts.

Technical data (2011 specification)

engine and gears
Engine type	V8 naturally aspirated engine
Displacement	4,361 cc
Bore × stroke	92 mm × 82 mm
compression	13.0: 1
Maximum power	approx. 515 hp at 8300 rpm
Max. Torque	approx. 515 Nm at approx. 5500 rpm
Max. Speed	8600 rpm
transmission	6 courses, sequential
mass and weight
length	4387 mm
width	2012 mm
height	1210 mm
wheelbase	2509 mm
Gauge	1623 mm (front), 1667 mm (rear)
Vehicle weight	approx. 1190 kg
Tank capacity	105 liters
Fuel type	Super Plus (98 octane)

Prices and sales

The price for the race-ready BMW Z4 GT3 was 298,000 euros in 2010 (plus VAT). After an update in 2011, the vehicle was available for 315,000 euros (plus VAT). In 2013, the BMW Z4 GT3 was offered again modified for 349,000 euros (plus VAT). Vehicles in 2011 and 2012 specification can be converted to 2013 specification using a conversion kit at a price of 315,000 euros (plus VAT).

In 2010, the premiere year, seven BMW Z4 GT3s were sold. A total of 29 copies were sold by January 2012. According to BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt in February 2012, BMW plans to offer the Z4 GT3 by the end of 2015.

Customer teams and races

Schubert Motorsport

BMW Z4 GT3 from Schubert Motorsport 2010

Schubert Motorsport already fielded two BMW Z4 GT3s in VLN races in the spring of 2010 . At the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2010, a Z4 GT3 with drivers Marko Hartung , Patrick Söderlund , Edward Sandström and Martin Öhlin achieved fourth place overall. In 2010 Schubert Motorsport contested the entire season of the FIA GT3 European Championship with two Z4 GT3s . After installing the new 4.4-liter engine, the driver pairing Csaba Walter / Claudia Hürtgen won a race in Jarama and Patrick Söderlund / Edward Sandström a race in Zolder . Schubert Motorsport finished the championship in third place in the team classification. At the end of the season, the team made guest starts in the ADAC GT Masters and also achieved third place with drivers Jörg Müller and Dirk Adorf in the 34th DMV 250-mile race as part of the VLN.

In January 2011, Schubert Motorsport won the Dubai 24-hour race with drivers Claudia Hürtgen , Augusto Farfus , Tommy Milner and Edward Sandström . Another victory for a Schubert Z4 followed in the 24-hour race in Barcelona . In the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship, Schubert Motorsport scored a double victory with its two Z4 GT3s at the 2011 season opener in Portimão ; Edward Sandström / Abdulaziz Al Faisal won ahead of Claudia Hürtgen / Csaba Walter. In 2011, Schubert Motorsport achieved second place in the team classification. At the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race , Claudia Hürtgen, Edward Sandström and Dirk Werner drove the Schubert-Z4 to second place. The team also completed several races in the VLN. There Pedro Lamy and Marko Hartung achieved third place in the 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal race and Edward Sandström, Nico Bastian and Hendrik Vieth took third place in the 36th DMV Münsterlandpokal.

In 2012 Schubert Motorsport no longer competed in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship and instead completed a full season in the ADAC GT Masters for the first time with a Z4 GT3. Claudia Hürtgen and Dominik Schwager won a race at the Hockenheimring . In the VLN, Dirk Müller , Jörg Müller and Dirk Adorf won the season opener, the 59th ADAC Westfalenfahrt. In the following two VLN races, Schubert also brought two or one Z4 GT3 onto the podium. For the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, Schubert Motorsport received works support from BMW Motorsport from 2012. After Uwe Alzen had put a Schubert Z4 on pole position , the two vehicles used drove within striking distance of the lead for a long time. Due to repairs being stopped, the Z4 GT3 fell behind and ended up in positions seven and eight.

Schubert Motorsport will continue to compete in the ADAC GT Masters and the VLN in 2013. In the ADAC GT Masters, the team expanded to include two permanent BMW Z4 GT3s. Claudia Hürtgen and Dominik Baumann won in Spa-Francorchamps . In the VLN, Augusto Farfus, Jörg Müller and Dirk Müller won the season opener, the 38th DMV 4-hour race. The two Schubert Z4s collided in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. As a result, one vehicle failed, while the other lost a lap due to a repair stop and finally finished sixth.

Marc VDS Racing Team

The Marc VDS Racing Team began in the middle of the 2011 season at the Spa 24 Hours for the first time a BMW Z4 GT3 one. Bas Leinders , Maxime Martin and Markus Palttala won the following two races in the Blancpain Endurance Series at Magny-Cours and Silverstone .

In 2012, the Marc VDS Racing Team was now represented in the Blancpain Endurance Series with two BMW Z4 GT3s. Bas Leinders, Maxime Martin and Markus Palttala were again victorious in the first two races of the season at Monza and Silverstone. In the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race, which is part of the racing series, the team finished fourth, with Maxime Martin being by far the fastest driver in the field in the rain. At the end of the season, the trio finished second in the drivers' championship of the Blancpain Endurance Series. The team was also represented in the VLN. When it first took part in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, the Marc VDS Racing Team with drivers Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala and Maxime Martin achieved fourth place, making their vehicle the best-placed BMW Z4 GT3.

In the 2013 season, the Marc VDS Racing Team continues to field two Z4 GT3s in the Blancpain Endurance Series. In addition to Schubert Motorsport, the team also competed in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 2013 with works support from BMW Motorsport. Maxime Martin, Yelmer Buurman , Andrea Piccini and Richard Göransson achieved second place. Maxime Martin was noticed by lap times that were sometimes 20 seconds below those of the competition.

Vita4One Racing Team

BMW Z4 GT3 of the Vita4One Racing Team 2012

Michael Bartels and his Vita4One Racing Team fielded two BMW Z4 GT3s in the 2012 FIA GT1 World Championship . Michael Bartels and Yelmer Buurman won a qualification race in Zolder and a qualification race as well as two championship races on the Slovakiaring . They finished third in the drivers' championship at the end of the season, just barely beaten. In 2012, the Vita4One Racing Team also fielded a BMW Z4 GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Gregory Franchi , Frank Kechele and Mathias Lauda finished third in the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race . In addition, the Vita4One Racing Team was represented in the VLN in 2012 and in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, which Marco Wittmann , Jens Klingmann , Pedro Lamy and Richard Göransson finished in ninth place.

In 2013 the Vita4One Racing Team continues to contest the Blancpain Endurance Series. Participation in the new FIA-GT series , which succeeded the FIA-GT1 World Championship, was also planned. Before the start of the season, the team withdrew the entry and further starts in the FIA ​​GT series are questionable. At the race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, the team made a guest appearance in the ADAC GT Masters for the first time.

DB Motorsport

DB Motorsport has owned two BMW Z4 GT3s since 2011. The team contested the 2011 FIA GT3 European Championship, in which Jeroen den Boer and Hoevert Vos won a race at Silverstone. DB Motorsport finished the season in third place in the team classification. The team also competed in individual races in the ADAC GT Masters and in the Blancpain Endurance Series, including the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race.

In 2012, DB Motorsport was no longer active in the FIA ​​GT3 European Championship. Instead, the team completed the entire season in the Blancpain Endurance Series with two BMW Z4 GT3s, including the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps and all of the ADAC GT Masters races. In the latter racing series, Jeroen den Boer and Simon Knap scored a victory in their home race in Zandvoort , which was also the first victory of a BMW Z4 GT3 in the ADAC GT Masters. In addition, a vehicle was used in the Dutch Supercar Challenge .

In the 2013 season, DB Motorsport will continue to compete in the ADAC GT Masters and the Dutch Supercar Challenge with a Z4 GT3.

More teams

BMW Z4 GT3 from WestCoast Racing 2012

The following teams, among others, will field a BMW Z4 GT3 in the aforementioned racing series:

• ROAL Motorsport (Blancpain Endurance Series, Campionato Italiano Gran Turismo )
• Ecurie Ecosse ( European Le Mans Series , British GT Championship )
• Study AG ( Super GT )
• BMW Sports Trophy Team Brasil (FIA GT Series)
• BMW Sports Trophy Team India (FIA GT Series)
• Walkenhorst Motorsport (VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring, 24-hour race on the Nürburgring)
• Thiriet by TDS Racing (Blancpain Endurance Series, Championnat de France FFSA GT )
• Uwe Alzen Automotive (VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring)
• 888Optimum (British GT Championship)
• DKR Engineering (still open)

In the past, the following teams fielded a BMW Z4 GT3 in the aforementioned racing series:

• WestCoast Racing (ADAC GT Masters, Swedish GT )

successes

2010 4th place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring

2011 1st place in the 24-hour race at the Dubai Autodrome

2012 4th place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring

2013 2nd place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring

2014 6th place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring

2015 2nd place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring

2015 1st place in the 24-hour race in Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps

BMW Z4 GTE

Starting in July 2012 , BMW Motorsport and BMW Team RLL developed a version based on the BMW Z4 GT3 based on the ACO-GTE regulations . The vehicle became the successor to the BMW M3 GT . In order for the vehicle to comply with the ACO GTE regulations, the dimensions had to be adjusted, which resulted in new developments in the area of ​​aerodynamics. In addition, no electronic driving aids such as ABS, ASC and DSC may be used. The BMW Z4 GTE had its first test run in January 2013.

Teams:

European Le Mans Series :

• BMW Sports Trophy MarcVDS (2015-)

United SportsCar Championship :

• BMW Team RLL (2014-)

American Le Mans Series :

• BMW Team RLL (2013)

(As of February 2015)

Web links

Commons : BMW Z4 GT3  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• BMW Z4 GTE / GT3 - BMW Motorsport
• BMW Z4 GT3: Data sheet 2011 - BMW Motorsport (PDF; 975 kB)
• BMW Sports Trophy: Teams - BMW Motorsport

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Popular right away: The new BMW Z4 GT3. Motorsport-Total.com, March 22, 2010, accessed May 28, 2013 . 
2. ↑ ^{a b} BMW Z4 GT3 - post-homologation of the 4.4 ltr GTS engine block. BimmerToday.de, August 13, 2010, accessed May 28, 2013 . 
3. ↑ ^{a b} Successful season for BMW Z4 GT3: further improvements announced for 2013. adrivo Sportpresse / BMW Motorsport, November 16, 2012, accessed on May 28, 2013 . 
4. ↑ Fit for 2011: BMW Motorsport is redesigning the BMW Z4 GT3. BimmerToday.de, April 8, 2011, accessed May 28, 2013 . 
5. ↑ BMW relies on the GT3 Sport and the Z4 GT3. ADAC GT Masters, February 14, 2012, accessed on May 28, 2013 . 
6. ↑ Points Chart: 2010. FIA GT3 European Championship, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
7. ↑ Schubert looks back on a successful season. Motorsport-Total.com, November 3, 2010, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
8. ↑ Success in the desert: Schubert wins in Dubai. Motorsport-Total.com, January 15, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
9. ↑ Schubert celebrates a double victory at the GT3 EM season opener. Motorsport-Total.com, May 7, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
10. ↑ ^{a b} Points Chart: 2011. FIA GT3 European Championship, accessed on May 29, 2013 . 
11. ↑ Historic catch-up: Schubert celebrates second place in Spa. Motorsport-Total.com, July 31, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
12. ↑ Schubert celebrates a successful comeback in the "Green Hell". Motorsport-Total.com, August 27, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
13. ↑ Schubert ends the season with a podium place. Motorsport-Total.com, October 29, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
14. ↑ Mission accomplished: Victory for Huertgen / brother-in-law. Motorsport-Total.com, September 29, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
15. ↑ It couldn't be better: Schubert celebrates VLN opening win. Motorsport-Total.com, March 31, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
16. ↑ Schubert with factory support in the "Green Hell". Motorsport-Total.com, March 22, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
17. ↑ Schubert without luck in the Eifel. Motorsport-Total.com, May 20, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
18. ↑ Hürtgen / Baumann triumph in Spa in a BMW. Motorsport-Total.com, May 12, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
19. ↑ Team Schubert wins VLN prelude. Motorsport-Total.com, April 13, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
20. ↑ Schubert: Sixth place is poor consolation. Motorsport-Total.com, May 20, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
21. ↑ Spa: Marc-VDS tries out a BMW Z4 for the first time. Motorsport-Total.com, July 5, 2011, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
22. ↑ ^{a b} BMW in Spa: Up and down in the Ardennes. Motorsport-Total.com, July 30, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
23. ↑ BMW customer teams: Surprise Belgians around Bas Leinders. Motorsport-Total.com, May 21, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
24. ↑ BMW: With two factory-supported teams into the "Green Hell". Motorsport-Total.com, May 13, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
25. ↑ Marc VDS celebrates Eifel magician Martin. Motorsport-Total.com, May 20, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
26. ↑ Confirmed: Bartels drives a BMW in 2012. Motorsport-Total.com, January 12, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
27. ↑ 40th ADAC Zurich 24h Race: Official Result RACE. (PDF; 139 kB) (No longer available online.) ADAC Nordrhein eV, May 20, 2012, archived from the original on April 18, 2013 ; Retrieved May 29, 2013 . 
28. ↑ Vita4One not at the start in Nogaro. Motorsport-Total.com, March 29, 2013, accessed May 29, 2013 . 
29. ↑ BMW celebrates first GT Masters victory in Zandvoort. Motorsport-Total.com, May 6, 2012, accessed May 29, 2013 .