As the final stretch towards the end of the 2012 DTM season gets underway, Munich’s drivers, with the exception of title challenger Bruno Spengler being at Hockenheim for an official press conference at the track, took a trip out to the Automobile and Technology Museum at Sinsheim, which has over 3,000 exibits, that make up the majority of the impressive site itself.
But to be a racer, you must also respect history, not to mention be a true fan deep down, as Martin Tomczyk, Joey Hand, Andy Priaulx, Dirk Werner and Valencia race winner, Augusto Farfus, took in the historic pieces that consist of this phenomenal collection, that includes “Blue Flame”, which set a land speed record of 1014 km/h in 1970, as well as a BMW Motorrad classic from 1927, the R47 racing bike with sidecar.
Outgoing champion Tomczyk says that the outing to the exhibition was welcomed and exciting, as apart from the drivers having racing in their blood, they are interested in technology in any form of motorsport: “I am not only a racing driver, but also a huge automobile enthusiast. I was very impressed to be able to see so many past legends at close hand, and even to touch them.”
But even Farfus was feeling a bit cramped, as all of the drivers decided to squeeze their way into a BMW Isetta 300, and enjoyed the fun aspect of the visit, and made a quick comparison in the process: “We don’t have an awful lot of space in our DTM cars,” said the Brazilian race winner, “However, compared to the BMW Isetta 300 you could almost describe our racing cars as comfortable. I am glad I am on my own in my car and don’t have three passengers with me.”
Hand, Tomczyk, Werner, Priaulx and Farfus next to the iconic “Blue Flame” (Image credit: BMW AG)
But along with the drivers, fans and visitors enjoyed the exhibit, as well as meeting and having autographs signed by the drivers in the foyer, along with photos and some general chit-chat to pass the time. As BMW Motorsport continues the upward trend for success this season, a new year brings another fresh start, with more joining to help the cause in 2013…
