As we previously reported, BMW will be this year’s Honoured Marque at the Goodwood Festival of speed an this prompted the German group to bring its A game to the show. In this regard, no less than 13 classic and very rare cars from the BMW collection will be brought out at Goodwood, one of them even opening the ceremony, a 1957 BMW 507 Roadster.
The estate of Lord March will be hosting an array of historic vehicles bearing the white-and-blue logo from 23 to 26 June 2016. The special role being played by the company at the Festival of Speed during this centenary year will be highlighted in a number of ways, and the BMW Group will present the sculpture that is traditionally unveiled in front of Goodwood House to launch the event.
Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, is joining forces with Lord March to open the weekend of racing with a drive in a BMW 507 from the year 1957. Since 1993, the climb has annually been the stage for presenting legendary automobiles and motorcycles from the different eras of motor-sport history.
This year once again, vehicles from different manufacturers, teams and racing outfits are participating in the Parade of Champions. They are being driven by a large number of famous and successful drivers and riders. Some of them are still competing whereas others have retired from active driving. The roll of honor from BMW Group Classic comprises 13 motor-sport legends on four wheels and five classics on two wheels.
They are led by the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé, which drove to overall victory at the Mille Miglia in 1940 with a new record time. The Brabham BMW BT52 also occupies a place of honor in the collection of BMW Group Classic. In 1983, this was the first vehicle in the history of Formula 1 to take the World Championship Title with the assistance of a turbocharged engine. Three years ago, the racing car was fully restored to full campaign condition and Italian driver Riccardo Patrese will take the wheel at Goodwood. This car was part of the Brabham BMW Team in 1983 and became the runner-up Formula 1 World Champion in 1992.
In 1999, Frenchman Yannick Dalmas was a member of the trio of drivers who drove the BMW V12 LMR to victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Once again, he will be taking the wheel of this sports car at the Festival of Speed in 2016. Dalmas will also be renewing his acquaintance with the McLaren F1 GTR. This is similarly powered by a BMW twelve-cylinder engine and he triumphed with this vehicle at Le Mans in 1995. British driver Steve Soper will be behind the wheel of this vehicle at Goodwood. He drove a BMW to victory at the 24 Hour Race in Spa-Francorchamps in 1992 and 1995.
Alessandro Zanardi and Roberto Ravaglia will also be present on the grounds. While the former will be driving his BMW Z4 GT3 that he used in various competitions up until recently, Roberto Ravaglia will be driving a BMW M3 DTM from the 2012 season, a bit of a changed pace from the E30 M3 that made him famous in 1989.
Two models from the BMW Art Cars Collection are also being presented while the BMW 2002 Hommage will also make an appearance after its world premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Northern Italy, a couple of weeks ago. The 2002 Hommage is the youngest vehicle to put its sporting potential to the test on the world-famous hillclimb.
