BMW makes its return to Le Mans as the BMW M8 GTE completes the official test day

Jason · 06-03-2018, 06:11 PM

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June 3, 2018... Le Mans. BMW has returned to the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe in France, where the pair of BMW Team MTEK M8 GTEs have successfully completed testing for the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. On Sunday’s one-day test, the number 81 and 82 cars covered a total of 1,200 kilometres to run through the team’s extensive pre-event preparation plan.

Four BMW works drivers – Nick Catsburg (NED), António Félix da Costa (POR), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Martin Tomczyk (GER) – were on duty over the course of the nine-hour test, while 24 Hours of Le Mans team-mates Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Phillip Eng (AUT) were competing in the third DTM event of the 2018 season.

Reactions to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Official Test Day:

Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK):

“It’s good to get our first kilometres of Le Mans under our belt. The cars ran pretty much trouble-free, apart from some minor issues that we can resolve before race week. We completed 1,200 kilometres and gathered some good info, especially tyre-wise as the track evolves. We have more work to do but I’m pleased with today’s test.”

Martin Tomczyk (#81 BMW M8 GTE):

“MISSION8 has finally reached Le Mans, after 18 months of hard work and preparation, and it did not disappoint. It’s my first time at Le Mans and the track really is something special. Around eighty percent is closed public road and, although there are not many corners, you have to always remain focussed because there is so much traffic. The competition is really tight so I can’t wait to come back and compete in less than two weeks.”

Nick Catsburg (#81 BMW M8 GTE):

“It was a proud moment to leave the garage this morning and complete the BMW M8 GTE’s first laps of Le Mans – it feels like we really entered the history books. Hopefully, this will be the start of a really exciting and successful chapter that sees us challenge for results here at the biggest endurance race in the world.”

António Félix da Costa (#82 BMW M8 GTE):

“Everyone talks about the amazing atmosphere at Le Mans and it’s true. It’s not even race week but you can feel it. The car ran really well for the full test and we managed to run through our entire test programme, so we go into the race week in the best position possible.”

Alexander Sims (#82 BMW M8 GTE):

“I have good experience in the BMW M8 GTE, having completed in endurance races in the USA, and it felt very good here today. I think we go into the race week with some good data and having made progress with our set-up and we’re all looking forward to coming back next week.”

BMW M8 GTE Completes Testing First Test Day at Le Mans

ZIV3R · 06-03-2018, 07:13 PM

Sweet, now I know who to ask for a ride along.

F85Matt · 06-03-2018, 07:15 PM

I will be there in a week and a half....hot laps included

Will post many pictures!

DangF30 · 06-03-2018, 07:24 PM

Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!

F85Matt · 06-03-2018, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!

The suspense sucks

DangF30 · 06-03-2018, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F85Matt

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!

The suspense sucks

Literally packed today, got everything ready to go...... just got to get the next few days over and out the way with!

F85Matt · 06-03-2018, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Quote:

Originally Posted by F85Matt

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!

The suspense sucks

Literally packed today, got everything ready to go...... just got to get the next few days over and out the way with!

I arrive the 14th in Paris. Sarthe and g15 release Friday

DangF30 · 06-03-2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F85Matt

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Quote:

Originally Posted by F85Matt

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangF30

Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!

The suspense sucks

Literally packed today, got everything ready to go...... just got to get the next few days over and out the way with!

I arrive the 14th in Paris. Sarthe and g15 release Friday

I get to Dieppe on the 12th! Down the the circuit on the 13th

raysspl · 06-05-2018, 03:13 PM

That front-end is menacing

marcva · 06-05-2018, 10:26 PM

I suppose only time will tell if it's a GT3/GTR killer.

RABAUKE · 06-06-2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcva

I suppose only time will tell if it's a GT3/GTR killer.

Good luck with that.

marcva · 06-06-2018, 03:10 PM

Isn't that the purpose of the M8? Granted there will be shake down issues in the initial campaigns. I suppose they're holding up in DTM these days.

If only there were a suburban neighborhood series that the X vehicles could compete in.

06-03-2018, 06:11 PM	#1
Jason Administrator 43934 Rep 21,327 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW makes its return to Le Mans as the BMW M8 GTE completes the official test day BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW makes its return to Le Mans as the BMW M8 GTE completes the official test day 11 COMMENTS Tweet June 3, 2018... Le Mans. BMW has returned to the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe in France, where the pair of BMW Team MTEK M8 GTEs have successfully completed testing for the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. On Sunday’s one-day test, the number 81 and 82 cars covered a total of 1,200 kilometres to run through the team’s extensive pre-event preparation plan. Four BMW works drivers – Nick Catsburg (NED), António Félix da Costa (POR), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Martin Tomczyk (GER) – were on duty over the course of the nine-hour test, while 24 Hours of Le Mans team-mates Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Phillip Eng (AUT) were competing in the third DTM event of the 2018 season. Reactions to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Official Test Day: Ernest Knoors (Team Principal, BMW Team MTEK): “It’s good to get our first kilometres of Le Mans under our belt. The cars ran pretty much trouble-free, apart from some minor issues that we can resolve before race week. We completed 1,200 kilometres and gathered some good info, especially tyre-wise as the track evolves. We have more work to do but I’m pleased with today’s test.” Martin Tomczyk (#81 BMW M8 GTE): “MISSION8 has finally reached Le Mans, after 18 months of hard work and preparation, and it did not disappoint. It’s my first time at Le Mans and the track really is something special. Around eighty percent is closed public road and, although there are not many corners, you have to always remain focussed because there is so much traffic. The competition is really tight so I can’t wait to come back and compete in less than two weeks.” Nick Catsburg (#81 BMW M8 GTE): “It was a proud moment to leave the garage this morning and complete the BMW M8 GTE’s first laps of Le Mans – it feels like we really entered the history books. Hopefully, this will be the start of a really exciting and successful chapter that sees us challenge for results here at the biggest endurance race in the world.” António Félix da Costa (#82 BMW M8 GTE): “Everyone talks about the amazing atmosphere at Le Mans and it’s true. It’s not even race week but you can feel it. The car ran really well for the full test and we managed to run through our entire test programme, so we go into the race week in the best position possible.” Alexander Sims (#82 BMW M8 GTE): “I have good experience in the BMW M8 GTE, having completed in endurance races in the USA, and it felt very good here today. I think we go into the race week with some good data and having made progress with our set-up and we’re all looking forward to coming back next week.” BMW M8 GTE Completes Testing First Test Day at Le Mans __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
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06-03-2018, 07:13 PM	#2
ZIV3R Private First Class 103 Rep 191 Posts Drives: '14 F10 M5\| Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Tempe/Scottsdale Arizona iTrader: (2)	Sweet, now I know who to ask for a ride along.
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06-03-2018, 07:15 PM	#3
F85Matt Private First Class 216 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 2020 X3M / 2018 M3 / 2002 M3 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Lake Forest iTrader: (0)	I will be there in a week and a half....hot laps included Will post many pictures! __________________ 2016 x5m \| IND \| Dinan \| GoneNotForgotten 2002 M3 \| ESS S/C w/ Meth \| IND 1x1 Cf roof \| Homemade Street/Track 2018 M3 \| ZCP \| 6 speed \| IND 2020 X3M Comp \| IND \| Autoteckic \| ?
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06-03-2018, 07:24 PM	#4
DangF30 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: F30 330d Mperformance Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Peterborough iTrader: (0)	Will be there a week on Tuesday! This next week in work is going to drag knowing what lies at the other end of it!
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06-05-2018, 03:13 PM	#9
raysspl Brigadier General 992 Rep 3,000 Posts Drives: walking, bicycle, & bus Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	That front-end is menacing __________________ re
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06-05-2018, 10:26 PM	#10
marcva Captain 378 Rep 647 Posts Drives: E36 M345 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vienna, Virginia, USA iTrader: (0)	I suppose only time will tell if it's a GT3/GTR killer.
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06-06-2018, 03:10 PM	#12
marcva Captain 378 Rep 647 Posts Drives: E36 M345 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vienna, Virginia, USA iTrader: (0)	M8 Isn't that the purpose of the M8? Granted there will be shake down issues in the initial campaigns. I suppose they're holding up in DTM these days. If only there were a suburban neighborhood series that the X vehicles could compete in.
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