Four weeks after the final round of the 2017 DTM season at Hockenheim (GER), the BMW M4 DTM was back in action in the Far East this weekend. The three manufacturers involved in the DTM thrilled the huge crowd of fans at the Japanese Super GT Championship in Motegi (JPN) season finale, where they presented the touring car series to the Japanese spectators and teams.
This was a return visit, after the DTM welcomed the Super GT manufacturers to the DTM finale at Hockenheim.
BMW Motorsport sent the BMW Driving Experience M4 DTM to Japan. The car was run by BMW Team RBM, with BMW DTM driver Augusto Farfus (BRA) at the wheel. The DTM played a prominent role in the Super GT Championship weekend schedule. On Friday, the cars headed out onto the track for an exclusive half-hour session.
They were then joined by the Super GT cars for outings on Saturday and Sunday. Prior to Sunday’s race, the DTM cars also took part in the parade, which traditionally takes place immediately before the start in the Japanese championship.
“It was a fantastic weekend and we enjoyed a very warm welcome by the Japanese organisers, teams and fans,” said Farfus.
“I know Japan from my time in the World Touring Car Championship, and have raced in the Super GT Championship with Jörg Müller in a BMW M6 GT3 run by BMW Team Studie. I love Japan. The fans here are simply fantastic, and rather special. As such, I really enjoyed taking the BMW M4 DTM out onto the Motegi track and giving the Japanese spectators and teams a closer look at the DTM.”
The fans at the circuit also had the opportunity to check out the BMW M4 DTM up close and personal in a tent specially erected for the DTM in the paddock, as well as in the pit lane during pit walks on Saturday and Sunday.
The programme also included several autograph sessions, during which Farfus – one of the crowd favourites – posed for countless selfies. The Super GT teams also showed great interest in the visitors from Europe, and spent much time chatting with their DTM guests.
