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Michelin and BMW Motorsport join forces

Michelin and BMW Motorsport will join forces to contest the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2013. The German carmaker’s BMW Z4 GTE and BMW Z4 GT3 will run on tyres from Michelin’s ‘Ultimate’ endurance racing range.

“We are delighted to be working together with Michelin, and are confident our teams running the BMW Z4 GTE and BMW Z4 GT3 will benefit from this iconic company’s motorsport experience and from the renowned quality of its tires,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “The durability and performance of the tires play a crucial role in motorsport. With Michelin at our side as tire partner, we are excellently positioned in both these areas.”

The BMW Z4s entered by BMW Motorsport will race on 30/68-18 and 31/71-18 tires at the front and rear respectively. The slick from the French firm’s ‘Ultimate’ endurance racing range will be available in a choice of three compounds (hard, medium and soft), but just one type of wet weather tire will be permitted, in accordance with the ALMS regulations.

“The BMW Z4s will run on our taller front tire (30/68-18, instead of 30/65-18) to enable our new partner to take full advantage of the benefit of its Michelin tires in terms of longevity,” said Serge Gisin, the director of Michelin’s racing activities. “In January 2013, we began a series of test sessions that involved working with BMW Motorsport to identify the operating windows and pressures of our different slicks and also work on the set-up of the new BMW Z4. This will allow us to make sure that the tires and car work in perfect harmony together so that the team can derive maximum benefit from the car’s performance potential. We are delighted with the confidence BMW Motorsport has placed in us. Making sure we live up to their expectations is an extra source of motivation for me and my team.”

The 2013 programme’s first competitive outing will be the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida, USA, on March 16.