Ready for its first race outing: BMW Junior Team is set for its Nordschleife debut.

2020.06.17

After several months of working from home during the enforced break in racing, the BMW Junior Team is now set for its first race together. Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen will drive a BMW M240i Racing at the opening round of this season’s Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) on 27th June as they enter the next phase of their training. Last Monday, under the watchful eye of mentors Jochen Neerpasch and Dirk Adorf, the trio successfully passed the obligatory permit test ahead of its race debut on the Nordschleife.

Harper, Hesse and Verhagen each spent the past few months at home, but recently returned to Germany, where they moved back into their shared house near the Nürburgring. They will live and, above all, race together there for the full season. They got their first laps at the wheel of a BMW race car under their belt last Monday, at the permit test on the Nordschleife. They were accompanied by their mentors, Jochen Neerpasch and Dirk Adorf. The Juniors had previously learned all they needed to know about the track from their virtual starts in the BMW SIM M2 CS Racing Cup and the Digital Nürburgring Endurance Series powered by VCO.

Now that the BMW Junior Team has acquired permission to race in the NLS, it will initially take to the track in a BMW M240i Racing when the season gets underway on 27th June. As soon as the Juniors have completed enough laps in this car, they will move on to the BMW M4 GT4, in which they will contest the 24-hour race in September. Provided everything goes to plan, they can then look forward to their first race outings in the BMW M6 GT3.

“My first experience in the BMW M240i Racing on the Nordschleife was absolutely incredible,” said Verhagen. “When I went out for the first laps on what is by far the most technically demanding circuit I have ever experienced, I just thought ‘wow’. At the same time, however, it was immediately clear to me that this was my new favourite racetrack. On the whole, I am very happy to have the permit in the bag and am really looking forward to the first race.”

Hesse said: “It felt great to finally get back behind the wheel of a race car. We got a lot of laps under our belt and were able to get to know the Nordschleife in both wet and dry conditions. Looking ahead to the race and the weather in the Eifel region, which is often unsettled, that will definitely be very helpful. Generally speaking, I am proud to be able to fly the BMW flag on the racetrack and to be a part of this team.”

Harper is someone else who can hardly wait for his first race outing in the BMW M240i Racing. “After so many months without any races, the test really went rather well. It was fantastic to do the first few laps on the Nordschleife and to get the permit. That was our primary goal – and we achieved it. Next up is the first race which I am very much looking forward to.”

Ready for its first race outing: BMW Junior Team is set for its Nordschleife debut.

Related articles.

An interview with Michael Andretti: “I am very proud of the partnership with BMW i Motorsport”.

Bruno Spengler and Team BMW Bank win again on the virtual Nordschleife – Debut for Timo Glock in the BMW M4 GT4.

Bruno Spengler tops overall standings in the IMSA iRacing Pro Series – John Edwards on the podium at season finale.

The wheels are turning again: BMW M Motorsport returns to the racetrack with four days of DTM testing.

An interview with Bruno Spengler: “Sim racing is the perfect practice for me in this time without racing.”

The two worlds of Formula E: simulator work forms the basis for success at the racetrack.

This highlight is only available for desktop devices.

COOKIES DISABLED HEADLINE

COOKIE CONSENT HEADLINE

Your browser is not up to date and may not be compatible with our website.

Ready for its first race outing: BMW Junior Team is set for its Nordschleife debut.

Related articles.

An interview with Michael Andretti: “I am very proud of the partnership with BMW i Motorsport”.

Bruno Spengler and Team BMW Bank win again on the virtual Nordschleife – Debut for Timo Glock in the BMW M4 GT4.

Bruno Spengler tops overall standings in the IMSA iRacing Pro Series – John Edwards on the podium at season finale.

The wheels are turning again: BMW M Motorsport returns to the racetrack with four days of DTM testing.

An interview with Bruno Spengler: “Sim racing is the perfect practice for me in this time without racing.”

The two worlds of Formula E: simulator work forms the basis for success at the racetrack.

This highlight is only available for desktop devices.

COOKIES DISABLED HEADLINE

COOKIE CONSENT HEADLINE

Outdated browser version