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From BMW Motorsport
Former CART series' champion and Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi completed Thursday the historic drive in golden BMW M3 DTM car.
Zanardi and the BMW DTM teams were at the Nürburgring to celebrate “40 Years of BMW M”. Within just a few laps the 46-year-old had slotted seamlessly back into racing driver mode and looked more at home in the car with each of his 32 laps.
This unique opportunity was BMW Motorsport's way of acknowledging the outstanding sporting achievements of Zanardi, who won two gold and one silver medal on his handbike at the Paralympic Games in London.
In keeping with the occasion, the BMW M3 DTM sported a gold livery, specially designed for Zanardi. As well as the Italian's image on the bonnet, the roof of the car also featured the three medals, which Zanardi won at this summer's Paralympic Games having lost both legs in an accident in 2001.
The BMW Motorsport engineers worked hard to prepare the M3 for this very special drive. While the modifications made to the BMW M3 DTM would not be suitable to be used under race conditions, they did allow Zanardi to complete this unique demonstration drive at the Nürburgring.
Accelerator and clutch pedals were removed and the brake pedal was shifted to the right in order to allow Zanardi to brake with his prosthetic right leg. He operated the accelerator with his left hand on the steering wheel, while he was able to change gear by pushing and pulling the shift paddle. The pneumatic-hydraulic clutch was located on the shift panel.
Zanardi's outing in the M3 DTM was one of the highlights of the three-day celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of BMW M.
Former CART series' champion and Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi completed Thursday the historic drive in golden BMW M3 DTM car.
Zanardi and the BMW DTM teams were at the Nürburgring to celebrate “40 Years of BMW M”. Within just a few laps the 46-year-old had slotted seamlessly back into racing driver mode and looked more at home in the car with each of his 32 laps.
 |
| (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |
This unique opportunity was BMW Motorsport's way of acknowledging the outstanding sporting achievements of Zanardi, who won two gold and one silver medal on his handbike at the Paralympic Games in London.
In keeping with the occasion, the BMW M3 DTM sported a gold livery, specially designed for Zanardi. As well as the Italian's image on the bonnet, the roof of the car also featured the three medals, which Zanardi won at this summer's Paralympic Games having lost both legs in an accident in 2001.
 |
| (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |
The BMW Motorsport engineers worked hard to prepare the M3 for this very special drive. While the modifications made to the BMW M3 DTM would not be suitable to be used under race conditions, they did allow Zanardi to complete this unique demonstration drive at the Nürburgring.
 |
| (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |
Accelerator and clutch pedals were removed and the brake pedal was shifted to the right in order to allow Zanardi to brake with his prosthetic right leg. He operated the accelerator with his left hand on the steering wheel, while he was able to change gear by pushing and pulling the shift paddle. The pneumatic-hydraulic clutch was located on the shift panel.
Zanardi's outing in the M3 DTM was one of the highlights of the three-day celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of BMW M.
 |
| (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |