ELMS – Marc VDS will enter a BMW Z4 at Estoril

We left Marc VDS Racing with a little disillusionment during the last 24 Hours of Spa, the peak of the Blancpain season. Endurance Series, where the Belgian team gave in at the very end of the race to the onslaught of the Audi R8 LMS Ultra from the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT of René Rast, Laurens Vanthoor and Marcus Winkelhock. Team Principal Bas Leinders announced today that it will be fielding a BMW Z4 GT3 in the GTC class for the European season finale. Le Mans Series on the Portuguese track of Estoril on October 18 and 19. Leinders will be accompanied for the occasion by Finnish Markus Palttala and a third driver who remains to be defined in the German GT seat.

“I drove quite a bit in this championship, when we were talking about the Le Mans Series, Palttala explains. Coming back is really a good thing. It is also interesting to note that the ELMS returned to a very good level after a few more difficult seasons. I'm curious to see the level of competition compared to the races we've competed in this year. Is it really nice to ride in Estoril? it?s still an “old-fashioned” circuit. And then there is the added bonus of driving right next to the sea. It?s not unpleasant to spend an October weekend on that side! »

For Bas Leinders, the opportunity presented itself to ride the BMW Z4 again, before preparing for 2015. “We continue to evaluate the different options available to us for next year. And that?s why it will be interesting to be able to taste the ELMS in this context. This championship looks really strong, and I can't wait to take part in it. From a driver point of view, it is important that we find the “bronze” driver best suited to the situation, because we want to be competitive. The level of the field in GTC is really very high. »