The prospect of using the M4 GT3 cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship required extensive testing for the team, drivers and engineers on different race tracks in order to make the best possible debut in 2023.
With the support of the Austrian BMW works driver Philipp Eng, the first test kilometers in the new BMW M4 GT3 began in October 2022, including MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi. The former motorcycle racer had already successfully taken part in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe for WRT in the Audi R8 last year. Rossi made his debut in a BMW at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
In Barcelona, Rossi had an M4 designed as a pattern at his disposal. The car rolled out – how could it be otherwise – with its iconic starting number 46. In addition to highlights in the famous M colors, the car, which was primarily decorated in gray and white, also offered a glimpse of one of the main sponsors for the season - the Belgian shoe and fashion brand Skechers.
During the test days in Barcelona, the focus was on collecting data and evaluating it. For the drivers, it was mainly a matter of getting used to the new car, which was quite different from the Audi R8 previously used in terms of driving behavior and dynamics. Therefore, after the test in Barcelona, the entire team went on to Valencia to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
The uniquely designed test car piloted by Valentino Rossi is available from Minchamps in scale 1:18 and features opening doors as well as a removable hood and trunk cover. The model is produced in the usual quality and shines with the highest level of detail.
BMW M4 GT3 Test Car 2023 Driver: Valentino Rossi RRP €149,95, item-no.: 113232246