BMW UK At The 2013 Silverstone Classic

LONDON – July 26, 2013: BMW M3 DTM driver and triple-World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, will drive a BMW 1800 TI/SA at the 2013 Silverstone Classic, 26-28 July. Visitors will also be treated to a display of cars covering BMW’s glorious heritage right up to the current model range, whilst the new 40-foot high ‘BMW Wheel’ will tower above all the action on and off the track.

Alongside the world’s finest historic racing cars, the Northamptonshire circuit will reverberate to the sounds of a BMW 1800 TI/SA this weekend. Produced in 1965 specifically for works teams, only 200 such cars were built featuring twin carburettors, a higher compression ratio and a five speed gearbox. The 130bhp TI/SA, which won many races including a second place finish at the 24 Hours of Spa, will be piloted in the ‘under 2-Litre Touring Car’ category by the BMW M3 DTM driver Andy Priaulx.

When he’s not racing the BMW 1800, the Guernsey driver will be available on the BMW stand for interviews and autographs. Fans of Andy and of the DTM - one of the world’s most exciting and competitive touring car championships– will be also be able to see the BMW M3 DTM race car on display. Currently competing in the 2013 season, the BMW M3 DTM raced to victory last year after an absence of nearly 20 years.

As an official sponsor at Silverstone Classic for the second year, BMW UK will provide a VIP courtesy car service for guests and competitors attending the ‘World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival’. Now in its 23rd year, the event will see over 800 iconic race cars competing, attracting over 1,100 competitors and over 8,000 classic cars.

The BMW stand will host a number of classic BMWs including BMW’s super sports car, the legendary M1, alongside a BMW 328 Frazer Nash and the ultimate lightweight version of the BMW 3.0 CSL – the infamous ‘Batmobile’. Along with these classics an array of new BMWs will be showcased, including the most powerful production BMW ever launched – the 575hp BMW M5 Saloon with Competition Package – the BMW M135i Sport Hatch, the new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo and revised BMW Z4.

Meanwhile, the VIP Hospitality area will display BMW M GmbH’s new flagship model, the M6 Gran Coupé, and the beautiful BMW 507.

Located directly opposite the main stand, the ‘BMW Wheel’ will tower above the action. It is free to all visitors and will offer unrivalled panoramic views of Silverstone. On display at the ‘BMW Wheel’ will be the eBay Motors BMW 125i Sport Hatch, competing in this year’s British Touring Car Championship, driven by Colin Turkington.

For the first time at Silverstone Classic, BMW owners will be able to access an exclusiveBMW Owners’ Lounge, on the first floor of the stand, by presenting their keys at the entrance. Owners can also show their keys to fast track their way to the top of the BMW Wheel.

Chris Brownridge,Marketing Director of BMW Group UK, said: “Once again we’re delighted to be involved in the 2013 Silverstone Classic. We’ll showcase some of our beautiful historic cars and some of our latest models as well as providing a premium courtesy car service for guests, whilst the ‘BMW Wheel’ will give everyone the opportunityto view all that's on show from over 40-foot up.”

Meanwhile, the Northamptonshire circuit will provide the perfect stage to host the UK’s second Z-Fest following the success of last year’s inaugural event at Silverstone Classic. Hundreds of BMW’s popular Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 sports cars will be on display, along with a number of BMW’s high-performance M models.