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THE BMW GROUP CLASSIC NEWSLETTER #09_2021.

1 July 2021

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“WHEELS & WEISSWÜRSCHT”: CANCELLATION FOR 3 JULY 2021.

Owing to the regulations for prevention of infection currently still prevailing in Bavaria, holding the event Wheels & Weißwürscht for classic motordom on Saturday 3 July 2021 has been prohibited. Unfortunately, we are unable to give any binding commitment to the other dates planned for July. We will keep you informed about the latest news on this event in the newsletter and through all BMW Group Classic channels. At the same time, we will also provide information on the website https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/building/wheels-and-weisswuerscht.html with updates about whether the individual scheduled events can take place. Many thanks for bearing with us.

BMW GROUP CLASSIC INSIDE

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LAP OF HONOUR IN THE “EIFELBLITZ” FOR SABINE SCHMITZ.

She was one of the most experienced and most popular endurance racing drivers in Germany – a true legend in her time. In March 2021, Sabine Schmitz passed away at just 51 years of age. Her former team and colleagues have now honoured her with a final tribute. Together with co-driver Johannes Scheid, Schmitz won the 24 Hour Race at the wheel of the BMW M3 “Eifelblitz” in 1996 and 1997. Scheid drove a replica of the winning car from 1996 in a lap of honour round the North Loop of the Nürburgring. Drivers and mechanics formed a guard of honour in the pit lane. “It was very emotional, firstly all the people in the pit lane and then all along the track, the marshals even had flags that they’d made themselves,” said Scheid after he finished his lap. “I looked up at the sky and said to Sabine: ‘They are all there for you’. It was very moving. It still sends a shiver down my spine. We all owed her such a lot, and I can’t thank BMW enough for making that happen.”

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BMW GROUP PLANT MUNICH WILL OFFER PLANT TOURS ONCE MORE FROM JULY ONWARDS.

A very special magnet for the public is opening its doors (again). From 5 July 2021, visitors will once again be given exciting insights into selected production areas of automobile manufacture at BMW Group Plant Munich. The plant tours will go ahead with reduced group sizes in compliance with all official regulations and safety measures. The parent plant is located in the north of Munich in the immediate vicinity of the Group headquarters, the BMW Museum and BMW Welt. Approximately, 7,800 employees from over 50 countries work at this site, around 850 of whom are trainees. Every day, around 800 automobiles and more than 1,000 engines are manufactured here, the plant being closely integrated into the Group’s global production network. Plant tours take place from 9.00 to 17.00 on Monday to Friday and can be booked using the hotline +49 (0) 89 1250 16001 and by email at infowelt@bmw-welt.com.

Neighbouring BMW Welt, the BMW Museum and BMW Group Classic are also once again offering tours.

The current opening times of BMW Welt: Monday to Sunday: 8.00 to 20.00

The current opening times of the BMW Museum: Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 to 18.00

You can find more information and the latest rules for sanitising and social distancing here:

BMW GROUP CLASSIC CLIPS

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12 CYLINDERS, MORE THAN 700 HP AND A RECORD ON THE NORTH LOOP: THE BMW X5 LE MANS.

What happens when engineers are given a lot of freedom to experiment with extreme things? Now and again, BMW comes up with an answer to this question. A one of one is the focus of an eminently viewable, cool clip from the series “Inside BMW Group Classic”. It takes the designation Sports Activity Vehicle for BMW X models to the limit: the BMW X5 Le Mans. The engineers equipped the special with the twelve-cylinder race-winning engine from the BMW V12 LMR, which had powered to victory in the 24 Hour Race of Le Mans in 1999. The engine generated power in excess of 700 hp – even more powerful than in the previous race car. The feasibility study was intended to prove the true sporting potential of the BMW X5. In June 2001, the former Formula 1 driver Hans-Joachim “Strietzel” Stuck succeeded in demonstrating this on the Nürburgring in flamboyant style. He drove the BMW X5 Le Mans round the North Loop in 7 minutes and 49 seconds. The presenters of the clip took their leave of the audience early because the video concludes with a symphonic sound display of the V12 engine mounted in the BMW X5 Le Mans in an ear-splitting finale.

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