RECALL: NHTSA Recall ID No. 13V172000
[Dated: MAY 03, 2013 BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safe... url=]....More
The 2013 MotoGP season is a special one for the BMW M GmbH which is celebrating a double anniversary. It is the 15th year as ?Official Car of MotoGP? and at the end of the season, the BMW M Award for the best MotoGP qualifier will be handed over for the tenth time. Since the end of 2003, the rider with the best qualifying results has been awarded an exclusive and individually customised BMW* ...More
The 2013 MotoGP? World Championship is a very special one for BMW M GmbH: this is BMW M?s 15th season as ?Official Car of MotoGP?. The fleet of Safety and Official Cars is made up of the latest BMW M models, which have been modified specifically for their outings in MotoGP. ....More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Auckland was a three-time winner at the Asia Pacific regional dealer awards held in Hong Kong recently. The dealership shone during an awards ceremony held for the brand?s 16 dealer partners from across the Asia Pacific region (outside of China). ...More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced plans for a new authorised dealer to be based in Poland. Last week Auto Fus and the manufacturer of super-luxury motor cars signed an agreement which states that the new dealership is to be officially named Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Warsaw. Since 2010, Auto Fus has been an authorised service partner and will extend its services to the entire range of sales and aftersales. ....More
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The BMW Motorrad Days 2013 celebrates 90 years of BMW Motorrad.
Munich/Garmisch-Partenkirchen. 90 years of BMW Motorrad: this is the motto of the 13th BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This year the world's biggest BMW Motorrad meeting will take place from July 5th - 7th. ....More
After success at Long Beach: BMW Team RLL ready for the next ALMS round at Laguna Seca
The 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is back on track this Saturday at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California (US), with the four-hour American Le Mans Monterey. ...More
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BMW GROUP FINANCIAL SERVICES ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE CHANGES IN THE U.S.
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ, May 8, 2013 - BMW Group Financial Services announced today changes to its executive team in the U.S. which will all take effect on June 1, 2013. ...More
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FWIW: SBK and F1 are driving a very early post of the BR&TMR Saturday edition.
Melandri is on top of Q1 but a wise gambler would hedge their bets for Superpole. I have not had a lot of time to dig through the numbers but Lucy there's a lot a sandbaging going on.
Speed is king at Monza and a front row start may mean more than usual in a very tight field. Dig into Friday's times and comments and you will find a good deal of time spent setting up for R1&2. The big guns get uncorked tomorrow.
Melandri has had another week to recover. Over the Assen weekend his stammina seemed much improved compared to Portimao. Monza will be a real test of his physical recovery.
Davies is the designated whinner for the team it seems. Friday and early Saturdayhe appears to be tasked to ride the setup test mule for the Goldbet Team. We should see him improve in Superpole. He needs to after the Assen Round.
Aprilia scares me. Hodna is an illusion. KRT!!! Suzuki the tough street kid. Then there is DucAudi. Checa is a hero in Italy but is astride a lackluster bike for this venue and so far this season.
F1 ? Tyres ? Alonso ? Tyres ? Strategy. Look for some serious crashes that will impact the race on Sunday.
worldsbk.com: Melandri flies his BMW to the top in Q1
BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team - WSBK - Monza - Qualifying Practice 1
n tricky conditions, the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team secured provisional pole-position for its home round at Monza (ITA). Factory rider Marco Melandri (ITA) set the fastest time in today?s first qualifying practice on his BMW S 1000 RR. His team-mate Chaz Davies (GBR) was also on course for a top position, but for him the qualifying practice came to an early end when he crashed 15 minutes into the session and was classified 13th. In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team?s rider Sylvain Barrier also secured provisional pole-position with his BMW HP4, being fastest in the first qualifying practice with a gap of more than seven tenths of a second to his closest rival. His team mate Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) was 15th.
FIA.com : 2013 Spanish Grand Prix
Friday Press Conference Transcript
10.05.2013
TEAM REPRESENTATIVES ? Dave GREENWOOD (Marussia), Mike COUGHLAN
(Williams), Mark SMITH (Caterham), Andrew GREEN (Force India), Nikolas
TOMBAZIS (Ferrari), Adrian NEWEY (Red Bull Racing)
formula1.com: Alonso leads the way in soggy opening practice
Hard work by the BMW Motorrad Motorsport technicians and testing at Zwartkops Raceway between rounds paid off big time for former South African Supersport champion Chris Leeson, when he rode two brilliant races on the BMW HP4 to record his first victory in the fourth round of the 2013 South African Superbike championship at Zwartkops near Pretoria on Saturday 4 May. ...MORE
fim-live.com: Husqvarna CH Racing looking for success in Spain
sportrider.com: KTM announces Road Race Contingency Program
R 10 ? almost a new beginning?....More
Accelerating growth with the R 25 series
The post-war years saw the increasing importance of affordable utility transport, hence the sales success of the R 24 ? the first machine that BMW made after WWII. More than 12,000 R 24 models were manufactured, until it was superseded by the R 25, which would go on to become an incredible success story, helping the German motorcycle manufacturer achieve sales records never seen* ...More
Alfred B?ning ? a man of his time
The R 7 is an elegant motorcycle and although it was never a production model, it had many features that would not be seen until thirty or more years later. Monocoque construction, fuel cell under the bodywork, the motor with the camshaft below the crank and even the choke lever mounted on the handle bar ....More
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Sebasti?o Salgado: The silent drama of photography
Economics PhD Sebasti?o Salgado only took up photography in his 30s, but the discipline became an obsession. His years-long projects beautifully capture the human side of a global story that all too often involves death, destruction or decay. Here, he tells a deeply personal story of the craft that nearly killed him, and shows breathtaking images from his latest work, Genesis, which documents the world's forgotten people and places. TED Talks
Remember the Saturday B&W drawing shows just after test pattern and before cartoons?
alstare.net: Badovinin qualifies in twelth position for tomorrow's racesat Monza
BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team - WSBK - Monza - Superpole
The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team experienced a thrilling Superpole qualifying in Monza (ITA). In a nail-biting session, both factory BMW S 1000 RR riders went through to the deciding Superpole 3 session. Local hero Marco Melandri will start the fourth round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship from fifth place on the second row of the grid. His team-mate Chaz Davies (GBR) qualified ninth and will start on the third row. In the 2013 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, championship leader Sylvain Barrier (FRA) will start the third round of the season from pole-position. His team-mate Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) improved several positions from yesterday and qualified seventh.
motomatters.com: Monza World Superbike and World Superspot post qualifying press releases
worldsbk.com: 10th Career pole for Sylvain Barrier
Formula One fia.com: 2013 Spanish Grand Prix
Post Qualifying Press Conference Transcript
11.05.2013
DRIVERS
1 ? Nico ROSBERG (Mercedes)
2 ? Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes)
3 ? Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull Racing)
jamesallenonf1.com: Nico Rosberg made it a hat-trick of pole positions for Mercedes GP as he produced two laps fast enough to take the top spot for the Spanish Grand Prix, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
f1times.co.uk: Ecclestone has put money into New Jersey race
Other Racing
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BMW Team RLL Qualifies 5th and 8th for ALMS Monterey
Woodcliff Lake, N.J. ? May 10, 2013 . . . BMW Team RLL will start in the fifth and eighth positions in tomorrow?s four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race at Laguna Seca, the third round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series.
BMW Sports Trophy Media Guide for the 2013 DTM season.
BMW Motorsport is continuing its long tradition of supporting privateer teams around the world in their fight for victories and titles in GT and touring car racing in 2013.
worldsbk.com: Melandri wins an incredibly close race
worldsbk.com: Laverty takes Race 2 win to close on championship lead
aprilia.com: World Superbike 2013 ? The races at Monza
BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team - WSBK - Monza - Races
The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team is back on winning ways. Factory rider Marco Melandri (ITA) rode his BMW S 1000 RR to victory in race one today and in race two, Marco was once again one of the front runners and finished second, claiming the fastest race lap. His team-mate Chaz Davies (GBR) finished fifth in the first race, but crashed out of race two, once again, lying in fifth. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team had a more than unlucky day. The race of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup ended prematurely for both riders after Sylvain Barrier (FRA) and Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) were involved in a heavy crash in the first corner which involved a number of motorcycles.
[url=http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/road-race/news.asp?Id=3400C602997 ]Sykes takes two podiums and the lap record at Monza
patahonda.com: Disappointment for PATA Honda at Monza
fia.com: 2013 Spanish Grand Prix
Sunday Press Conference Transcript
12.05.2013
DRIVERS
1 ? Fernando ALONSO (Ferrari)
2 ? Kimi RAIKKONEN (Lotus)
3 ? Felipe MASSA (Ferrari)
RECALLNHTSA Recall ID No. 13V180000
Dated: APR 30, 2013 Triumph Motorcycles America, Ltd. is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Explorer and Explorer XC motorcycles. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating data on the certification Label is incorrect. Thus, t...
cyrilhuzeblog.com: Tire reapair the easy way versus tire repair the old way
Schubert Motorsport triumphs in the ADAC GT Masters, ALMS podium for BMW Team RLL ? and a Q&A with Dirk Werner ....More
Dirk M?ller (DE) and John Edwards (US), driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, scored a third place finish in Saturday?s four-hour American Le Mans Monterey (US) race. A second consecutive podium finish for the No. 56 machine in only the third race of the new programme and a win for the No. 55 car at Long Beach (US) keeps BMW in second place in the manufacturer point standings in the GT class and moves M?ller to the top of the GT class driver points. ...More
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VIDEO: 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship - Monza (ITA)
worldsbk.com: Sykes reinstated to third after FIM panel decision
pirelli.com: At Monza the Pirelli SC0 solution is the unanimous choice among Superbike and Supersport riders for the rear with Tom Sykes and Marco Melandri using it to break historic records
BMW Motorrad sells 11.5 % more vehicles in April. April 2013 is the most successful month in the history of BMW Motorrad with 14,587 BMW motorcycles sold.
Munich. In April BMW Motorrad sold 11.5% more vehicles than in the equivalent month last year. 14,587 units (previous year: 13,088 units) were supplied to customers worldwide last month. As of April, vehicle supplies total 39,319 motorcycles and maxi scooters (previous year: 37,461 units / + 5.0 %). ....More
Following Augusto Farfus? (BR) and Dirk Werner?s (DE) one-two at the first round of the 2013 DTM in Hockenheim (DE), the BMW teams travel to the second race of the season with the wind in their sails. The ?Brands Hatch Circuit? in Great Britain will host the popular touring car series on 19th May. Last year, BMW Team Schnitzer?s Bruno Spengler (CA) stepped onto the podium as runner-up. Martin Tomczyk (DE) of BMW Team RMG finished fourth to score valuable points, and also clocked the fastest race lap in a time of 42.138 seconds. ....More
On the Whitsun weekend the tradition-rich 24-hour race at the N?rburgring will be held for the 41st time and, just as was the case in the 40 previous events, BMW will once again be represented by a large number of cars and drivers. Nearly 50 BMW cars will contest possibly the most gruelling race in the world, held at the famous N?rburgring-Nordschleife. Since the inaugural event, back in 1970, BMW drivers and teams have celebrated 19 overall and 155 class wins. No other manufacturer can look back on a similar history of success in the ?Green Hell?. ...More
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Transport Canada: MASERATI issued a recall on the QUATTROPORTE, 8C, and GRANTURISMO models
On certain vehicles, the rear suspension tie rods (for alignment toe adjustment) may corrode and fail. This could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury
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VIDEO: Round four 2013 Le Mans
Built in 1965 around the existing 24-Hour track, the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit sits 5km south of the city of Le Mans and 200km south-west of Paris. The venue has hosted Grand Prix since the late 1960s but a serious accident to Spanish rider Alberto Puig in 1995 saw it struck off the calendar until 2000 whilst stringent safety improvements were carried out. With the capacity to comfortably accommodate up to 100,000 spectators, the Bugatti circuit is once again the venue for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France.
[urlo=http://www.fim-live.com/en/media/news/news-detail/article/1368528016-marquez-and-pedrosa-move-on-to-france-at-head-of-motogp-standings/ ]fim-live.com[/url]: Marquez and Pedrosa move on to France at head of MotoGP standings
Notable guest at the 2013 Formula BMW Talent Cup: BMW DTM driver Andy Priaulx (UK) paid a visit to the simulator training in the iZone Driver Performance Centre in Silverstone (UK) last weekend, and passed on some of his extensive knowledge to this year?s talented youngsters, who BMW is sustainably preparing for a successful career in professional motor racing. The three-time World Touring Car Champion and 2004 European Touring Car Champion was on hand throughout the t ....More
At the Concorso d?Eleganza Villa d?Este 2013, two tradition-steeped car manufacturers ? the BMW Group and Pininfarina ? will be straddling the automotive past and future as they unveil the result of their debut cooperation to the global public on 24 May: the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coup?. ...More
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Maria Bezaitis: The surprising need for strangeness
In our digital world, social relations have become mediated by data. Without even realizing it, we?re barricading ourselves against strangeness -- people and ideas that don't fit the patterns of who we already know, what we already like and where we?ve already been. A call for technology to deliver us to what and who we need, even if it?s unfamiliar. (Filmed at TED@Intel.) TED Talks
WSBK - 1st Q Review
With four rounds completed the WSBK season is a little over a quarter of the way through the season calendar. The teams head into the meat of the season with the Donington round the last weekend in May. This seems like a good time to check themes and the standings.
APRILIA 172 pts. +64 pts over 2012, 11 Podiums
The speculation of 2013 being a rebuilding season or the first in a dynastic string favors the latter. Of the maximum possible of 200 Aprilia has scored 172 points. They have occupied 11 of a possible 24 podium slots (sweeping the opening podium *at PI). As a result they are an impressive 64 points ahead of where they were in the 2012 championship season for them. The factory team riders occupy P1 and 2 in the rider standings, though not in the order I might have expected.
Aprilia fans may be quietly calculating the magic number for clinching the Manufacturer?s Championship but it is far too early for that. Yes it is possible that they could be putting together a juggernaut season along the lines of Checa/Ducati in 2011. What is more likely is they will be confronted with problems they need to overcome.
To date their riders have not suffered serious injuries. Racing at this level is becoming more and more dangerous. If, when, how and how fast riders can recover from an accident could play a role in derail a title run. (BMW learned that in 2012). I do not wish problems for any of the riders. I would rather defeat a healthy opponent than a wounded one. If they do have problems how the riders and team deal with them will be critical.
The Aprilia machine is the front runner on race day; so far. Monza suggest they don?t hold that by much. The heat is on.
BMW 144 pts. +48, 6 podiums
Judgement was the theme for the season preview. Die hard Roundel fans may think the questions have been answered. School is still out on that question for me. Let?s set that aside for now. BMW Italia has suffered many setbacks in Q1, dealt with them and hold P2 in the Manufacturer?s hunt and their riders in P4 and 5 in the rider standings.
The *S1000RR v2.13 continues to improve from the very strong v2.12. No it is not the Superpole wonder of Team Green. That is Saturday business. On Sunday it is going toe to toe with everyone.
Riders are coming off some problems. Checa?s racing crash that took out Melandri in P.I. Race 1 echoed over the next races. Melandri appeared to fade over a race weekend until Monza where he paced himself into a P1 and P2 for the weekend effort. Davies picked up the slack for an ailing Melandri with a P2 in the Rider hunt after Aragon. As the Monza weekend started I dubbed him the teams designated whiner. A bit harsh sounding but that is the role of a team number 2. He spent the Monza weekend dueling in from the lead of the second pack of riders on the track. He was slowly reeling in Sykes just before his crash in Race 2. Catching and passing are two different things.
Dipping into the stick and ball cliche bag; championship seasons are built a game at a time over the length of the calendar. BMW has 48 points in hand over 2012. If they had them after Magny Cours last season they would be defending champs this season. Could they be in a better spot now: yes. However, their standing right now is pretty good and one that definitely a solid base to build on.
Kawasaki 130 pts. +32.5 pts., 6 podiums
KRT is on the cusp of putting it all together. Sykes continues to rack up Superpoles. He and the bike are fast and now they are figuring race tyre management out. Sykes is P3 in the Rider?s hunt. While Sykes is a serious contender for the Rider?s title is KRT a contender for the Manufacturer?s title? The answer to that is in the hands of Loris Baz, KRT?s designated whiner...number 2.
The Rider Championship is great but I am rooting for a Manufacturer?s title. The combination of Sykes and Baz are a pesky duo for the BMW riders to deal with, but not as pesky as the non factory Aprilia riders. Baz is improving. Melandri/Davies is a better team than Sykes/Baz in the Manufacture hunt for my money.
Honda 78 pts +4, 1 Podium
PATA Honda is struggling. The CBR is not what it once was. While others are finding ways to improve one has a sense that Honda is struggling just to hang on in 2013 WSBK season.
Suzuki 68 pts. +47.5, 0 Podiums
If Honda is just hanging on, Suzuki is coming back. On the street Suzuki may make news for sales decreases, dealer closings etc as they roll out their new corporate direction that emphasises their motorcycle roots. On the WSBK track they are becoming the journeyman team people should not ignore. P6 in the 2012 Standings looking for a P4 finish in 2013 is what I expect.
Ducati -88.5, 0 Podiums
Fortunately I have run out of time to write. Fortunate not because I have so much to say about DucAudi?s situation; rather, I don?t have the time needed to figure out what that is and what to say. Ducati won something on the order of 60% of the WSBK races ever held. DucAudi is obviously a duc of a different feather.
Design of the perfect smartphone for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts/ Rugged, light and with satellite-based life-saving functions/ Market launch 2014. ...More
Nearly every Rolls-Royce Phantom and almost three in four Rolls-Royce Ghosts sold around the world are commissioned with Bespoke personalisation. And customer demand for the world?s pinnacle automotive tailoring service has helped drive the marque towards three consecutive record sales years. ...More
On 1 January 2013, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated 10 years of production at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. To mark this latest chapter in the marque?s 109-year history, a special collection of Ghost and Phantom family models, conceived and designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team, will be released in 2013. ...More
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Liu Bolin: The invisible man
Can a person disappear in plain sight? That?s the question Liu Bolin?s remarkable work seems to ask. The Beijing-based artist is sometimes called ?The Invisible Man? because in nearly all his art, Bolin is front and center ? and completely unseen. He aims to draw attention to social and political issues by dissolving into the background. TED Talks
A strong contingent is once again set to represent MINI at the 2013 N?rburgring 24 Hours. Five MINI endurance cars will take on the infamous Green Hell. ...More
Woodcliff Lake, NJ May 16, 2013? Sumptuous flair and alluring athleticism come together in the BMW 6 Series models to invest these premium luxury-class vehicles with hallmark driving fun. The new M Sport Edition offers a particularly exclusive opportunity to highlight the dynamic attributes of the BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 6 Series Convertible and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. With their harmoniously coordinated design details and ultra-high-quality range of features, the BMW 6 Series models in M Sport Edition guise deliver a driving experience that satisfies the most discerning requirements. ...More
BMW Group Classic is about to enter the 2013 Mille Miglia suffused with memories of a glorious premiere. It was 75 years ago that the BMW 328 sports car first lined up among the starters for this legendary long-distance event. Now BMW Group Classic is dispatching nine such models to compete in the latest edition of this historic round trip. The squad of BMW 328 models will delight classic car enthusiasts, while once again paying tribute to the tradition-steeped association between BMW and the Mille Miglia. Back in 1938, the teams competing in the BMW 328 secured a majestic sweep of the top places in the 2.0-litre category. Two years on, overall victory would follow courtesy of the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coup?. ...More
Sumptuous flair and alluring athleticism come together in the BMW 6 Series models to invest these premium luxury-class vehicles with hallmark driving fun. The new M Sport edition offers a particularly exclusive opportunity to highlight the dynamic attributes of the BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 6 Series Convertible and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. ...More
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The MotherShip PressClub
R 51 ? a new generation of boxer twins
The aftermath of war has no boundaries and its effects are reaching and well versed. Despite all, BMW as a business survived the years following WWII through sheer determination and the need to rebuild the broken German economy. Slowly but surely, foundations of normality began to rise. BMW production staff, marketing teams and management stood together to lift BMW. In 1949, production of* ...More
The BMW drivers do not usually have time for a sight-seeing tour on a DTM weekend. However, it was a different story ahead of the second race of the season at Brands Hatch (GB): the eight drivers climbed on board a typical British double-decker bus and set off on a one-hour trip through the county of Kent and the area around the ?Brands Hatch Circuit?. They were accompanied on their journey by journalists and TV crews, who used the unusual location for interviews. ...More
International Mini Meeting 2013 to take place at the weekend in Italy ? history will come to life at the world's biggest meeting of the Mini club scene: from the very beginnings back in the premiere year of 1959 through to the current MINI. ...More
[Woodcliff Lake, NJ ? May 17, 2013? Andy Warhol?s 1979 BMW M1 Art Car will be the center piece of the exhibition ?BMW ? The Ultimate Driving Machine?, which opens this weekend at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. The exhibition will also feature the BMW 3.0 CSL which won the Daytona 24 Hour race in 1976. The exhibition, which features a retrospective of BMW cars and motorcycles, will run until November 3, 2013. The array of BMW automobiles will include road cars and race cars, both from the modern era, as well as pre-war. The exhibition will also celebrate 90 Years of BMW Motorcycles. ...More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveiled the highly anticipated new model, Wraith, at a closed-room event in Beijing Art Zone. ...More
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Sergey Brin: Why Google Glass?
It's not a demo, more of a philosophical argument: Why did Sergey Brin and his team at Google want to build an eye-mounted camera/computer, codenamed Glass? Onstage at TED2013, Brin calls for a new way of seeing our relationship with our mobile computers -- not hunched over a screen but meeting the world heads-up. TED Talks
supercross.com: 2013 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Round 1 ? Sacramento
supercross.com: FIM World Motocross Round 7 Brazil ? Qualfying
Cage and... BMWgroup-sport.com: Tomczyk stripped of pole position in Brands Hatch.
Martin Tomczyk?s (DE) joy at claiming his first DTM pole position for BMW at Brands Hatch (GB) lasted just four hours. Having initially set the fastest time in the all-important Q4, the 31-year-old BMW Team RMG driver was subsequently excluded from the second qualifying of the year by the race stewards.