BMW Motorsport has announced that the M2 CS Racing Cup class will replace the M240i Racing Cup in the Nürburgring Endurance Series in 2021. The Cup series, run on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring as part of NLS races, will be contested by the company’s new customer car running in two different performance levels, one for “Permit B” rookie drivers that will have 375 horsepower, and one for “Permit A” experienced drivers that will have 450.
The M2 CS Racing is described in more depth here.
Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said, “I am delighted that we are now able to continue the tradition of a BMW Cup class in 2021 with the BMW M2 CS Racing as the successor of the BMW M240i Racing. From the ground up, our new entry-level car, which BMW M and BMW Motorsport developed together, is far more of a thoroughbred race car than its predecessor. That is because BMW M GmbH provided a perfect basis with the BMW M2 CS. To take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the racing version of the BMW M2 CS, we will have cars with two different performance levels for the first time in the history of the cup. This will allow Nordschleife rookies and experienced drivers to showcase their ability at the wheel. I am particularly pleased that, by concluding the contract with those responsible for the VLN, we are able to offer our customers planning security for three years. With Michelin, we have also found a strong and very familiar tire partner for the same period. That is more important than ever in what is currently a difficult time for motorsport.”
This year’s Nürburgring Endurance Series was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic resurgence in Germany. The champions in the final year of the M240i Racing class in the truncated five-race season were Heiko Eichenberg and Moritz Oberheim, driving for the AVIA Sorg Rennsport team.—Brian Morgan
[Photos courtesy BMW Motorsport.]
