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Auto123.com is proud to present yet another column from Canadian driver Bruno Spengler, works driver for BMW in the DTM series , featuring his thoughts on his latest victory.
Hello all!
It's a pleasure to share my thoughts with you, as we approach the end of the 2012 DTM season.
The most recent round mirrored our season, as we at BMW were discovering at Oschersleben a new track for the third consecutive time.
For us at BMW, that means racing with no prior data. This being said, at the Nürburgring, we earned pole and victory on an unknown track. To be fair, the same approach didn't go down so well at Zandvoort the week after.
Anyhow, at Oschersleben we hit the ground running, our development work eased by consistent weather. It's always better to work set-ups when the track is dry. On the results front, my teammate Dirk Werner proved us right, posting the fastest lap during the first free practice session. I took over from him Saturday morning.
Things were still going well in qualifying where I managed to pull a perfect lap to put my BMW M3 on pole. Similar story Sunday, where I grabbed my third win of the season, also the third for my team.
This means we are well within the fight for the title, which is hard to believe when you think this is our first season. Still, it's not time to celebrate yet, so everyone's focus is at 110 % until the final checkered drops at Hockenheim.
Being where we are shows just how well the team can adapt. It's a great motivational boost for the guys behind me who prepare the car, work the strategy and execute the pit stops. Now we really must take it one race at a time - first Valencia, then Hockenheim - and not think too much about the title.
I'm really happy to be in the title hunt for BMW. In my DTM career, I've been in such a position five times out of seven. It's great for the fans, and great for the brand.
By the way, last week, I took part in a historic rally, the Klassik Hambourg-Berlin, at the wheel of a 1939 BMW 328. My co-driver Ulrich Knieps managed to finish 6th out of 300!
Other than that, these days, I also participate in driver education days, where I teach track-driving aboard a 3-series BMW. At the end of the day, my students get to experience the circuit aboard a Formula BMW.
But right now, I'm stationed in Munich at the team's headquarters where I can enjoy the legendary Oktober Fest, very popular here in Germany. BMW takes the opportunity to organize several PR events, and I get to drink lots of beer!
Then, on Thursday, I fly home and then it's Valencia a week later.
It's a track we know a at least a little since we tested there before the start of the season. Still, a track is always evolving so it's never twice the same. Unlike Mercedes and Audi, we're not used to dealing with the changing conditions. But that's not saying we don't stand a chance to beat them!
I should know more Sunday night!
All the best,
Bruno Spengler
www.brunospengler.com
Note: As two rounds remain, Bruno Spengler sits second in the championship standings, only 11 points adrift current leader Gary Paffett (Mercedes). A victory in the DTM series is worth 25 points.
Hello all!
It's a pleasure to share my thoughts with you, as we approach the end of the 2012 DTM season.
The most recent round mirrored our season, as we at BMW were discovering at Oschersleben a new track for the third consecutive time.
 |
| Photo: dtm.com |
For us at BMW, that means racing with no prior data. This being said, at the Nürburgring, we earned pole and victory on an unknown track. To be fair, the same approach didn't go down so well at Zandvoort the week after.
Anyhow, at Oschersleben we hit the ground running, our development work eased by consistent weather. It's always better to work set-ups when the track is dry. On the results front, my teammate Dirk Werner proved us right, posting the fastest lap during the first free practice session. I took over from him Saturday morning.
Things were still going well in qualifying where I managed to pull a perfect lap to put my BMW M3 on pole. Similar story Sunday, where I grabbed my third win of the season, also the third for my team.
 |
| It was Bruno Spengler's birthday on August 23. (Photo: BMW) |
This means we are well within the fight for the title, which is hard to believe when you think this is our first season. Still, it's not time to celebrate yet, so everyone's focus is at 110 % until the final checkered drops at Hockenheim.
Being where we are shows just how well the team can adapt. It's a great motivational boost for the guys behind me who prepare the car, work the strategy and execute the pit stops. Now we really must take it one race at a time - first Valencia, then Hockenheim - and not think too much about the title.
I'm really happy to be in the title hunt for BMW. In my DTM career, I've been in such a position five times out of seven. It's great for the fans, and great for the brand.
By the way, last week, I took part in a historic rally, the Klassik Hambourg-Berlin, at the wheel of a 1939 BMW 328. My co-driver Ulrich Knieps managed to finish 6th out of 300!
 |
| Bruno Spengler and the famous 1939 BMW 328. ( Photo: Bruno Spengler) |
Other than that, these days, I also participate in driver education days, where I teach track-driving aboard a 3-series BMW. At the end of the day, my students get to experience the circuit aboard a Formula BMW.
But right now, I'm stationed in Munich at the team's headquarters where I can enjoy the legendary Oktober Fest, very popular here in Germany. BMW takes the opportunity to organize several PR events, and I get to drink lots of beer!
Then, on Thursday, I fly home and then it's Valencia a week later.
 |
| Photo: dtm.com |
It's a track we know a at least a little since we tested there before the start of the season. Still, a track is always evolving so it's never twice the same. Unlike Mercedes and Audi, we're not used to dealing with the changing conditions. But that's not saying we don't stand a chance to beat them!
I should know more Sunday night!
All the best,
Bruno Spengler
www.brunospengler.com
Note: As two rounds remain, Bruno Spengler sits second in the championship standings, only 11 points adrift current leader Gary Paffett (Mercedes). A victory in the DTM series is worth 25 points.