WTCC: First ever victory for the BMW 320 TC

 Munich, 31st July 2011. BMW private teams and drivers had a more than successful Sunday. In the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) BMW privateer Franz Engstler (DE) experienced a perfect second race at his home round at the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben” (DE). Only a few days after his 50th birthday, Engstler celebrated the first ever victory in the series for him and for the BMW 320 TC. Racing in the WTCC since 2007, he claimed his first podium finish at Donington (GB) only a few weeks ago. His ambitious target for his home round was to get on top step of the podium. In the first heat he suffered bad luck, spinning his BMW 320 TC in the very last corner into the barriers. But in the second race, Engstler’s dream came true. Starting from pole position, he crossed the finish line first.

 “It is absolutely fantastic to claim my first ever victory and it is more than special to do it here at my home round in front of all my fans”, a more than delighted Engstler said. “In the first race I had the accident and I have to thank my team and BMW. They all helped to fix the car and made it possible to start in the second race. I really do not know what to say at the moment. It is fantastic and the greatest birthday present. I want to thank everybody who helped me to achieve that.”

 “Our heartiest congratulations to Franz Engstler and the LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler for their victory at Oschersleben,” commented BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “BMW drivers have already celebrated numerous podium places with the BMW 320 TC in the World Touring Car Championship. It is fantastic that the first victory for this car can be celebrated, even more so that it happened at the BMW home round at Oschersleben. The BMW 320 TC proved to be competitive from the word go. Together with our customer teams, we work hard to improve it from race to race. We, and especially the LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler, have now been rewarded for these efforts at Oschersleben.”

 In the first race at Oschersleben, Stefano d’Aste (IT) from the BMW private Team Wiechers-Sport (DE) won the Independents’ Trophy and finished sixth overall.

 Also, at the Spa 24 Hours race (BE) a BMW private team was successful: The Need for Speed Team Schubert (DE) finished second on the podium. The BMW Z4 GT3 was driven by Claudia Hürtgen (DE), Edward Sandström (SE) and BMW works driver Dirk Werner (DE). After starting from only 49th position, they showed a great high-speed pursuit which was rewarded with a big success.