“What a fantastic anniversary success! 50 years after the first overall victory for BMW in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, we have now come full circle with our 20th triumph. Congratulations to the entire ROWE RACING team and to drivers Nick Catsburg, Alexander Sims and Nick Yelloly. They didn’t let themselves be rattled even by the difficulties we had, especially in the wet, and showed a terrific race to catch up in the final hours when the track initially dried off and then rain set in again. Thanks to a perfect team performance, all those responsible always made the right decisions at the right time. The final phase, in which every second mattered, was incredibly nerve-wracking. We have already made many attempts with the BMW M6 GT3 to win this extremely important and tradition-steeped race for BMW Motorsport. Now it has worked out and the joy about it is enormous,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.

After a spectacular opening phase, the team’s two BMW M6 GT3s were initially unable to maintain their good grid positions of fifth (#99) and eighth (#98) in heavier rain. In return, all drivers consistently avoided all difficulties on the track. Later in the evening, the #99 had worked its way back up to fourth place and the #98 to twelfth, until the race was abandoned at 10:32 p.m. due to yet more heavy rain and was not resumed until 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

After the restart, with the track slowly drying out, it was the BMW M6 GT3’s hour, with Alexander Sims setting the fastest race lap several times in succession. On the 67th lap, both ROWE RACING cars were on the podium for the first time. When the rain became heavier again 1:45 hours before the end of the race, the team reacted immediately and fitted Nick Catsburg with rain tires. One lap later he took the lead for the first time, which he only relinquished briefly for one lap during the last tire change. But after the rival Audi had rejoined the track one lap later behind the #99, Catsburg brought home the win.