Ralf tests BMW M3 GTR at Monza

By Andrew Hooper
February 26 2004

   
Ralf tests M3 GTR
 
Will team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya was testing his FW26 at Imola Ralf Schumacher was at Monza testing a BMW M3 GTR Touring car. The Schnitzer Team was giving the new BMW M3 GTR its first test run.

The M3 GTR will be entered in this year's Nürburgring and Spa 24 hour races. Ralf had previously expressed an interest to drive the car and BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen was able to organise time for Ralf behind the wheel.

Theissen recalled Ralf interest. On the BMW Motorsport web site he said: “It was late in the evening and we were sitting at a table, which happened to be facing a BMW M3 GTR. We all agreed that it was a fantastic car, when Ralf suddenly expressed his wish to test the car. I asked Charly Lamm to join us so we could talk details. The date today was ideal for all concerned, Ralf was at Imola for testing, Schnitzer were here with the ETCC team plus the new M3 GTR, which made the test easy to arrange.”

Ralf spoke of his drive by saying: "Obviously you cannot compare it to Formula One, however, it didn't take long until I was running on nearly the same level as the other BMW touring car drivers - and even faster sometimes."
 
Ralf tests the BMW M3 GTR at Monza.
 
Ralf in the cockpit of BMW M3 GTR
 
 
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HP Formula One 2004
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