BMW expanding Korea's motorsport scene

Drivers compete in the BMW M Class race in BMW M4 Coupe models, during the 2019 CJ SUPERRACE Championship in this photo provided by BMW Group Korea, Thursday. / Courtesy of BMW Group Korea

By Baek Byung-yeul

BMW Group Korea has been bolstering its efforts to expand the base of motorsports here by taking part in auto racing and hosting related events to let more people experience the fun of driving, its Korean unit said Thursday.

The company started its engagement in motorsports in 2018 when it held a BMW M Class race at the CJ SUPERRACE Championship, the country's professional race car competition.

“The BMW M Class race is a unique auto racing event as every driver competing in the circuit drives the BMW M4 Coupe model,” a BMW Group Korea official said.

The company sought to prove the superior performance of its M4 Coupe models by hosting six BMW M Class races in 2018. This year's M Class events have already passed the halfway point, with three races so far.

Drivers compete in the MINI Challenge Korea race during the 2019 CJ SUPERRACE Championship in this photo provided by BMW Group Korea, Thursday. / Courtesy of BMW Group Korea

To make motorsports enjoyable not only for the top level racers but for every car lover, the Korean unit also introduced an amateur race in 2019.

BMW Group Korea said it will hold a series of MINI Challenge Korea events which started on the opening day of the 2019 CJ SUPERRACE Championship, at Everland Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, April 27 and 28.

All participating drivers will compete in the races drive MINI Cooper models. The races are certified by the Korea Automobile Racing Association, the company said. The second round of the MINI Challenge Korea events was held at Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, on June 16.

To let more people know the fun of driving, BMW Group Korea also has been holding various kinds of side events for visitors to the auto racing competitions.

During the third round of the CJ SUPERRACE Championship, BMW Group Korea installed a pavilion, BMW M Town, and gave visitors a glimpse of its Z4 M40i roadster.

Also, for children attending the racing events, BMW Korea Future Foundation has held a series of workshops, teaching them about cars.

“As seen in our slogan, Sheer Driving Pleasure, BMW Group has actively participated in global motorsports event and contributed a lot to expand the scene. Since 1972, BMW Group has operated an independent team solely dedicated to motorsports and developed vehicles for them,” the company official said.