To round off the 2004 motor racing season, BMW will be taking part in the legendary touring car race at Macau on 21st November 2004. Each year, the 6.2-kilometre city circuit, one hour by ferry from Hong Kong, sees the world's top touring car drivers vie for the coveted Guia Race trophy.
Three BMW 320i ETCCs fielded by Schnitzer Motorsport will be driven in China by newly acclaimed European Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (GBR) along with BMW works drivers Jörg Müller (GER) and Dirk Müller (GER). In addition, Carly Motors will be running another two BMW 320i ETCCs in the race, steered by Tom Coronel and the winner of the last three years, Duncan Huisman (both NLD).
Priaulx, who managed to secure the Drivers' title in the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) in Dubai last weekend, knows Macau from his Formula 3 days. Last year the 30-year-old entered the touring car race for the first time but had to retire early. While Dirk Müller will be marking his debut at the classic event in China, Jörg Müller managed to claim one of his major successes at this venue in 1993 when he won the Formula 3 race. Now the seasoned racing driver will be aiming for victory in the BMW 320i.
32-year-old Huisman has already delivered multiple evidence of his racing prowess in Macau. In 2003 he made history when he climbed to the top of the podium for the third time in succession. No other driver can claim a similar tally of wins in the Guia Race. His team-mate Coronel comes to Macau as the winner of the FIA ETCC Independents Trophy and hopes to conclude the season in China with an equally good result.
The significance of this year's 51st classic race edition cannot be under-estimated. In 2005, the FIA ETCC will become the World Touring Car Championship (FIA WTCC) and Macau is earmarked to host the final event of the season. That is why changes in the regulations have already been implemented for this year's race: the touring cars will for the first time comply with the FIA's Super 2000 regulations. The winner will be determined in two races consisting of eight rounds each.
BMW already looks back on a successful 2004 season of touring and sports car racing. Apart from the Drivers' Championship and Independents Trophy, the FIA ETCC Manufacturers' title went to Munich as well. Team BMW Motorsport, moreover, celebrated a one-two victory in the Nürburgring 24 Hour Race with its two BMW M3 GTRs, followed by a Group GT2 win at Spa-Francorchamps.
