BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Professional Motorsport Racing Discussion (IMSA, DTM, Formula 1, Grand-AM, Le Mans, IRL, WRC, etc..) > Bruno Spengler switches from the DTM to the North American IMSA series in 2020

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-17-2019, 07:33 AM   #1
Jason
Administrator
Jason's Avatar
United_States
40286
Rep
21,232
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Bruno Spengler switches from the DTM to the North American IMSA series in 2020

BIMMERPOST NEWS
Bruno Spengler switches from the DTM to the North American IMSA series in 2020
20
COMMENTS
Name:  P90379580_highRes_munich-ger-17th-dece.jpg
Views: 2320
Size:  727.7 KB

Bruno Spengler switches from the DTM to the North American IMSA series in 2020

December 17, 2019

Munich. Bruno Spengler (CAN) will swap the BMW M4 DTM for a BMW M8 GTE next season, when he will race in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This move sees Spengler bring the curtain down on a dazzling DTM career, which has spanned 15 years and 195 races and produced a host of highlights. The Canadian’s greatest success came in 2012, when he won the Drivers’ Championship in the BMW Bank M3 DTM.

Spengler’s first race as a regular driver for BMW Team RLL in the BMW M8 GTE is just around the corner. He will compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona (USA) at the end of January. Spengler will also remain a reserve and test driver for BMW i Andretti Motorsport in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.

“Very few drivers have had as big an influence on the DTM as Bruno Spengler has in the past 15 years,” said BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “In winning the title in his first season for BMW in 2012, he achieved something that nobody believed possible at the time. In doing so, he earned a permanent place in the history of BMW Motorsport. Of the 122 DTM races he has contested for us, he won seven. His latest victory at the Norisring last season was another very emotional one. The fact that he broke the 1000-point mark in his 15th season in 2019 underlines the outstanding status that Bruno has earned for himself in the DTM. Nevertheless, we were of the opinion that 2020 is the right time to head in a new direction together for the coming years. This decision was not an easy one for us. However, as we do at the end of every season, we took a very close look at our squad of drivers and are confident that Bruno, with all his experience, can help us make progress in the IMSA series. He will also be used as a reserve and test driver in Formula E. I am happy that we are able to keep Bruno as a valuable member of the BMW family. We will ensure that he can bid a worthy farewell to BMW fans in the DTM next year.”

“Firstly, I am obviously disappointed that I will no longer be racing in the DTM in 2020,” said Spengler. “I had a fantastic time for 15 years, during which time the DTM became part of my family. I have been racing in the DTM for almost half of my life. In my 195 races, I have enjoyed some fantastic success – above all, of course, my title win with BMW at Hockenheim in 2012. This title win will forever be very closely linked to Charly Lamm for me. As a sportsman, I would obviously have liked to have stuck around for a few more years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my mechanics and engineers who I have worked with all these years, and with whom I have celebrated so many successes. Even though it has come as something of a surprise to me that I won’t be contesting my 16th DTM season, I’m looking ahead. I feel right at home in the BMW family, am about to face a new challenge, and am ready to write a new chapter in my career. I know the BMW M8 GTE, BMW Team RLL and some of the circuits in North America. As such, I think I will find my feet quickly there. For me as a Canadian, it will certainly be a highlight to line up at a genuine home race for the first time in a long time, at the race at Mosport in the summer. I will really miss the DTM fans. I am looking forward to saying ‘goodbye’ to them in 2020.”

Spengler initially drove for Mercedes in the DTM between 2005 and 2011, during which time he twice finished runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship. When BMW returned to the series in 2012, he switched manufacturer and promptly won the title at the first attempt in a dramatic season. During his DTM career, Spengler won 16 races, secured pole position 18 times, and made it onto the podium 51 times. In total, he amassed 1,024 points.

__________________
Check on the Latest BMW News
Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook
Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter
Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2019, 08:12 AM   #2
M340Mike
Private
M340Mike's Avatar
Canada
70
Rep
89
Posts

Drives: 2020 M340, 2018 X3 Ultimate
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Canada's Best Kept Secret

I'm sad to say that besides myself no one in my circle of family or friends or colleagues or pretty much anyone has even heard of Bruno. Not that there aren't motorsports fans there... there are a couple. Just no one that follows DTM. I followed him from the MB days and loved watching him win the Championship in a BMW and then the SPEED channel dropped it here.

Last edited by M340Mike; 12-17-2019 at 12:56 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2019, 08:25 AM   #3
Scrippy
Lord Scrip
Scrippy's Avatar
United_States
1802
Rep
3,005
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: LA,Ca

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
I'm glad Bruno is coming to IMSA. He was looking stagnant in DTM. I think he will fit in the multi class of IMSA well. He will push that M8 hard. If there is one thing RLL needs it's a new driver IMO.
__________________
Appreciate 3
      12-17-2019, 08:33 AM   #4
F32Fleet
Lieutenant General
F32Fleet's Avatar
United_States
3540
Rep
10,327
Posts

Drives: 2015 435i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Southeastern US

iTrader: (0)

Sweet!!!
__________________
"Drive more, worry less. "

435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-17-2019, 08:47 AM   #5
Trainer97
C.E.O.
Trainer97's Avatar
Canada
18
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2, 2010 E83 X3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Super excited to see Bruno make the switch to IMSA!! A great series and driver! Hopefully BMW can do a little (or a lot) better this year!
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-17-2019, 08:55 AM   #6
AtlantaDude
Just enjoying my time
AtlantaDude's Avatar
United_States
128
Rep
855
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW E92 335i - Sold
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
I'm glad Bruno is coming to IMSA. He was looking stagnant in DTM. I think he will fit in the multi class of IMSA well. He will push that M8 hard. If there is one thing RLL needs it's a new driver IMO.
Agreed, 100%. I hope this will be a positive turn for him
__________________
Current - 2022 Rivian R1T, 2021 Ducati Streetfighter V4S, 1969 Chevy C10
Sold - 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance
Sold - 2007 E92 335i

If speed is death, then buy a Honda and live forever
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-17-2019, 09:02 AM   #7
Brake_Late
Brigadier General
Brake_Late's Avatar
Norway
1937
Rep
3,297
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 FIREORANGE2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Manhattan Beach

iTrader: (1)

Lit 🔥
#dtmroots
Bring it on in IMSA
Attached Images
 
__________________
Eendraght Maeckt Macht
FOF82,3pedals,MPE,CCBs,Multicams,
CarbonStrucktureAnthracite, CF_Everything
BMWPhotoVin, 01of01, GTS DCT, EPS, MDM,
CS EDC,Analog Dip ,GTS parts.
Euro Vin e30 M3, FIA cage / 14.7 p / w ratio.
Euro E30 touring G30 MSport i3s LBB X5M
3.2carrera

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRTsfNzuz_EjUBu59UCykA
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2019, 10:55 AM   #8
M5Rick
General
M5Rick's Avatar
58874
Rep
19,238
Posts

Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Southern England

iTrader: (0)

Just when DTM BMW are going to whack Audi at last in '20.
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-17-2019, 01:26 PM   #9
Mrgunfun
Second Lieutenant
Mrgunfun's Avatar
219
Rep
241
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 M-DCT
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Garden State

iTrader: (0)

IMSA is getting big and I like it.
Appreciate 4
      12-17-2019, 01:39 PM   #10
Brake_Late
Brigadier General
Brake_Late's Avatar
Norway
1937
Rep
3,297
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 FIREORANGE2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Manhattan Beach

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M340Mike View Post
I'm sad to say that besides myself no one in my circle of family or friends or colleagues or pretty much anyone has even heard of Bruno. Not that there aren't motorsports fans there... there are a couple. Just no one that follows DTM. I followed him from the MB days and loved watching him win the Championship in a BMW and then the SPEED channel dropped it here.
Share this with them
a few more times



https://de.motorsport.com/dtm/news/b...21702/4614214/
__________________
Eendraght Maeckt Macht
FOF82,3pedals,MPE,CCBs,Multicams,
CarbonStrucktureAnthracite, CF_Everything
BMWPhotoVin, 01of01, GTS DCT, EPS, MDM,
CS EDC,Analog Dip ,GTS parts.
Euro Vin e30 M3, FIA cage / 14.7 p / w ratio.
Euro E30 touring G30 MSport i3s LBB X5M
3.2carrera

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRTsfNzuz_EjUBu59UCykA
Appreciate 2
      12-17-2019, 08:41 PM   #11
mindcontrollerone
Lieutenant
mindcontrollerone's Avatar
United_States
808
Rep
475
Posts

Drives: 2015 M4 / 2015 X5
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Los Angeles CA

iTrader: (0)

Great news!!! Bruno is well known if you're into Motorsports! 😎
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-17-2019, 09:34 PM   #12
Pic18
First Lieutenant
United_States
304
Rep
351
Posts

Drives: 18' F80 Comp, Spec E46
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (0)

Seems like Bruno is not to happy about the move, hopefully that doesn’t affect his performance. GTE is such a tough class, hopefully this year team RLL can find a bit more luck and performance to get back on the podium more often!
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-18-2019, 09:26 PM   #13
Scrippy
Lord Scrip
Scrippy's Avatar
United_States
1802
Rep
3,005
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: LA,Ca

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlantaDude View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
I'm glad Bruno is coming to IMSA. He was looking stagnant in DTM. I think he will fit in the multi class of IMSA well. He will push that M8 hard. If there is one thing RLL needs it's a new driver IMO.
Agreed, 100%. I hope this will be a positive turn for him
I think it will be good for him. The 4th season of the M8 will bring a better car and he will want to come out hard like he did in his DTM start with the M3.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 02:46 PM   #14
TomHudson
Major
658
Rep
1,118
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Awesome!

A weekend at Mosport and a pass to the BMW pit!

Cigar anyone?
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-19-2019, 03:18 PM   #15
Brake_Late
Brigadier General
Brake_Late's Avatar
Norway
1937
Rep
3,297
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 FIREORANGE2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Manhattan Beach

iTrader: (1)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Spengler.
__________________
Eendraght Maeckt Macht
FOF82,3pedals,MPE,CCBs,Multicams,
CarbonStrucktureAnthracite, CF_Everything
BMWPhotoVin, 01of01, GTS DCT, EPS, MDM,
CS EDC,Analog Dip ,GTS parts.
Euro Vin e30 M3, FIA cage / 14.7 p / w ratio.
Euro E30 touring G30 MSport i3s LBB X5M
3.2carrera

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRTsfNzuz_EjUBu59UCykA
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 03:20 PM   #16
Brake_Late
Brigadier General
Brake_Late's Avatar
Norway
1937
Rep
3,297
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 FIREORANGE2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Manhattan Beach

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlantaDude View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
I'm glad Bruno is coming to IMSA. He was looking stagnant in DTM. I think he will fit in the multi class of IMSA well. He will push that M8 hard. If there is one thing RLL needs it's a new driver IMO.
Agreed, 100%. I hope this will be a positive turn for him
I think it will be good for him. The 4th season of the M8 will bring a better car and he will want to come out hard like he did in his DTM start with the M3.
First year using M3
meaning 2012 season ?
__________________
Eendraght Maeckt Macht
FOF82,3pedals,MPE,CCBs,Multicams,
CarbonStrucktureAnthracite, CF_Everything
BMWPhotoVin, 01of01, GTS DCT, EPS, MDM,
CS EDC,Analog Dip ,GTS parts.
Euro Vin e30 M3, FIA cage / 14.7 p / w ratio.
Euro E30 touring G30 MSport i3s LBB X5M
3.2carrera

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRTsfNzuz_EjUBu59UCykA
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 07:13 PM   #17
Trainer97
C.E.O.
Trainer97's Avatar
Canada
18
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW M2, 2010 E83 X3
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomHudson View Post
Awesome!

A weekend at Mosport and a pass to the BMW pit!

Cigar anyone?
I'll see you there!
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2019, 08:53 PM   #18
Scrippy
Lord Scrip
Scrippy's Avatar
United_States
1802
Rep
3,005
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: LA,Ca

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
  [0.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brake_Late View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlantaDude View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrippy View Post
I'm glad Bruno is coming to IMSA. He was looking stagnant in DTM. I think he will fit in the multi class of IMSA well. He will push that M8 hard. If there is one thing RLL needs it's a new driver IMO.
Agreed, 100%. I hope this will be a positive turn for him
I think it will be good for him. The 4th season of the M8 will bring a better car and he will want to come out hard like he did in his DTM start with the M3.
First year using M3
meaning 2012 season ?
That was his championship year. He came out aggressive in 2005-6. Being that the M8 is still new he is a great aggressive yet veteran in age driver. He will provide good data for the M8 and he has great lineage with BMW which will be an awesome base to start from. I would like to see him paired with Farfus.
__________________
Appreciate 1
Brake_Late1936.50
      12-20-2019, 07:24 AM   #19
TomHudson
Major
658
Rep
1,118
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 M3
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainer97 View Post
I'll see you there!
Half way up the hill outside turn 3.
Trailer lit up like a restaurant, which it is....
Appreciate 2
      12-24-2019, 08:59 PM   #20
SoCali E36
BMW Client Advisor
SoCali E36's Avatar
United_States
999
Rep
3,525
Posts

Drives: X5 40e/e36 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Where the road takes me...

iTrader: (10)

Bruno Spengler switches from the DTM to the North American IMSA series in 2020

I wish him well! I love IMSA and this is great news for BMW.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      12-26-2019, 08:37 AM   #21
Brake_Late
Brigadier General
Brake_Late's Avatar
Norway
1937
Rep
3,297
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 FIREORANGE2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Manhattan Beach

iTrader: (1)

Welcome ( back ? ) to America ! ( north )
Attached Images
  
__________________
Eendraght Maeckt Macht
FOF82,3pedals,MPE,CCBs,Multicams,
CarbonStrucktureAnthracite, CF_Everything
BMWPhotoVin, 01of01, GTS DCT, EPS, MDM,
CS EDC,Analog Dip ,GTS parts.
Euro Vin e30 M3, FIA cage / 14.7 p / w ratio.
Euro E30 touring G30 MSport i3s LBB X5M
3.2carrera

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRTsfNzuz_EjUBu59UCykA
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:52 AM.




m2
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST