BMW’s fortunes improved dramatically at Pau, France last weekend in the latest World Touring Car Championship {link} rounds, with a bizarre accident robbing them of an excellent result.
Race 1 on the tight and twisty street circuit saw a return to full competitiveness for BMW as their 3 series touring cars took 6 of the top 7 places as well as having claimed pole position. Unfortunately the BMWs finished 2nd to 7th with the podium’s top step being occupied by a Chevrolet. None the less the result was greeted with jubilation by the Bavarian marque who had endured a disappointing 4 races prior to this.
Race 2 was developing into an even better situation for BMW until the first corner! BMW drivers Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx tangled with both paying visits to the unforgiving Armco barriers surrounding the track. Priaulx suffered rear bumper damage whilst Muller limped back to the pits for repairs.
Turn 2 saw BMW’s misery increase further as two more of its cars made contact with each other and the scenery. This time Felix Porteiro and Sergio Hernandez clashed after Porteiro clipped a kerb stone resulting in damage to both cars with Hernandez’ ending up burning!
Just when things couldn’t have got any worse for BMW and their drivers, race leader Franz Engstler came across the slow moving safety car with no prior warning. Travelling at race speed Engstler was unable to avoid hefty contact with not only the safety car but the barrier too. Engstler went from leading the race to an instant retirement.After the carnage and a re-start BMW managed to secure 2, 4th and 5th with Augusto Farfus taking 2nd overall for the second race in succession. Farfus is also 2nd in the championship as it moves on to Valencia in 2 weeks time.
Race 1 on the tight and twisty street circuit saw a return to full competitiveness for BMW as their 3 series touring cars took 6 of the top 7 places as well as having claimed pole position. Unfortunately the BMWs finished 2nd to 7th with the podium’s top step being occupied by a Chevrolet. None the less the result was greeted with jubilation by the Bavarian marque who had endured a disappointing 4 races prior to this.
Race 2 was developing into an even better situation for BMW until the first corner! BMW drivers Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx tangled with both paying visits to the unforgiving Armco barriers surrounding the track. Priaulx suffered rear bumper damage whilst Muller limped back to the pits for repairs.
Turn 2 saw BMW’s misery increase further as two more of its cars made contact with each other and the scenery. This time Felix Porteiro and Sergio Hernandez clashed after Porteiro clipped a kerb stone resulting in damage to both cars with Hernandez’ ending up burning!
Just when things couldn’t have got any worse for BMW and their drivers, race leader Franz Engstler came across the slow moving safety car with no prior warning. Travelling at race speed Engstler was unable to avoid hefty contact with not only the safety car but the barrier too. Engstler went from leading the race to an instant retirement.After the carnage and a re-start BMW managed to secure 2, 4th and 5th with Augusto Farfus taking 2nd overall for the second race in succession. Farfus is also 2nd in the championship as it moves on to Valencia in 2 weeks time.
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