19.12.2024Exclusive and limited for ck-modelcars – the BMW of “Il Dottore” from the 24-hour race in Spa 2023

Valentino Rossi has been part of BMW's factory driver line-up since 2023. The Italian, who won the world championship title in every displacement class in his previous motorsport career in motorcycle racing, has been on four wheels for the WRT team since 2022 and also made the brand change to BMW in 2023. At the 75th 24 Hours of Spa, Rossi shared the car with Brazilian Augusto Farfus and Belgian Maxim Martin. The trio crossed the finish line in sixth place at the end of the race distance.

Minichamps has now released the BMW M4 GT3 with the starting number 46, which is Valentino Rossi's trademark, exclusively for ck-modelcars. The model in scale 1:18 is limited to 446 units and has steerable front wheels. The doors, the hood and the trunk of the model can be opened and thus provide a glimpse into the faithfully reproduced cockpit and the detailed engine compartment. The model is delivered in a high-quality collector's box.

Compared to previous years, the 24-hour race in Spa this year turned out to be a rather disciplined race. In previous years, there had been quite a bit of fighting, especially in the early stages. The longest yellow phase was at night and lasted two hours. After about six hours of racing, the second BMW of the WRT team with the drivers Dries Vanthoor, Sheldon van der Linde and Charles Weerts was leading the race.

Valentino Rossi himself experienced an eventful double stint. First Rossi had to survive a slip in turn 10, then there was a collision with the WRT sister car with starting number 31, which was driven by the three English drivers Adam Carroll, Lewis Proctor and Tim Whale. Rossi hit his teammates at the rear, causing their vehicle to spin off the track. At the end of his stint, the nine-time motorcycle world champion had to accept a 10-second penalty due to track limits. In the end, the trio around Valentino Rossi finished sixth with 537 race laps.

Valentino Rossi's beginnings in GT racing were anything but easy. The nine-time motorcycle world champion had many interested parties who wanted to sign him due to his fame, but not all offers felt equally good. Rossi himself explains that most people wanted him as a character, but had no real plan as to what role he would be used in the team.

According to him, the chemistry with the Belgian WRT team was right from the start. The next few years will show how many titles Rossi will win on four wheels. He is now a works driver for BMW and is also used in their Hypercar program. For 2025, however, the question is which series he will start in, because a complete parallel flight in the WEC and the GT World Challenge, as he did in 2024, is not possible in 2025.

BMW M4 GT3 #46 6th 24h Spa 2023 Farfus, Martin, Rossi 1:18 Minichamps, RRP €399.95, item-no.: 113232646BOX

Galerie

produits

BMW M4 GT3 #46 6ème 24h Spa 2023 Farfus, Martin, Rossi 1:18 Minichamps

399,95 €