Family ties
The Upper Bavarian town of Freilassing has 16,000 residents, and is home to Schnitzer Motorsport. However, the team has enjoyed racing success around the world. Since its founding in 1963, Schnitzer has tasted victory and has won championships in Europe, Asia, and North America. Although their activities took them to the four corners of the world, the team's roots remain firmly planted in Bavaria.
Brothers band
Two names are behind the success of BMW Team Schnitzer: Schnitzer and Lamm.
The Schnitzer motorsports team was born in 1963 when brothers Josef and Herbert Schnitzer bought a car that had been involved in an accident, with the intention of restoring it and participating in races. A few years later they were joined by their half brothers Karl, known to all as "Charly", and Dieter Lamm. From then on, the quartet led Schnitzer Motorsport to ever-increasing levels of success. After the death of Josef Schnitzer in 1978, Herbert Schnitzer and the Lamm twins led the team with great success for 36 years. Dieter Lamm died in 2014, after a serious illness. Since then Herbert Schnitzer and Charly Lamm have been at the helm of the BMW Team Schnitzer.
The Schnitzer Motorsport team is characterized by its experience, professionalism and passion for motorsport. Over the years, each of them, from the truck driver to the mechanic to engineer, has played their part in what has become a tight-knit community. Everyone knows and values each other at Freilassing. This internal solidarity is one of the greatest strengths of BMW Team Schnitzer, and many other teams envy it.
History
1963 - The company is founded: two brothers, one car.
In 1963, the brothers Josef and Herbert Schnitzer buy a damaged Fiat, which they restore and race themselves. This marks the birth of motorsport in the Schnitzer household.
1966 - Title number one: Victory by Josef Schnitzer.
Josef Schnitzer brings the first title to Freilassing, winning the German Touring Car Championship in a BMW 2000ti that he has tuned himself. At this point, no one has any idea that this will be the first in a unique collection of titles.
1968 - Schnitzer conquers the hills of Europe: Ernst Furtmayr's triumphal procession begins. Furtmayr.
1968 marks the beginning of the Schnitzer team's dominance in the European Hillclimb Championships. Ernst Furtmayr takes his first overall victory in the proven BMW 2002ti. Two more titles will follow in 1969 and 1970.
1971- Fourth consecutive title: Brun takes over where Furtmayr left off.
The Swiss Walter Brun, who will go down in motorsport history, presents the Schnitzer team from Freilassing with its fourth consecutive title in the European Hillclimb Championship. He wins in a BMW 2.8 CS.
1975 - European Formula 2 Champion: successful foray into single-seater racing.
Frenchman Jacques Laffite wins the Formula 2 European Championship in a Formula 2 Martini powered by a Schnitzer engine, thus helping Schnitzer to his first single-seater racing title.
1978 - Triumph and Tragedy: A Great Loss.
While 1978 may be successful from a sporting point of view, it is a tragic year for Schnitzer. New driver Harald Ertl's outstanding performances in the BMW 320 turbo, which ultimately led him to win the German Racing Championship, are overshadowed by a tragic accident involving Josef Schnitzer, who dies from injuries sustained in a crash, without fault of his own, while traveling to Zolder.
1983 - European Touring Car Champion: on the European throne.
Schnitzer Motorsport wins the European Touring Car Championship with driver Dieter Quester at the wheel of a BMW 635 CSi Group A. After titles in the European Hillclimb Championship and as an engine supplier in Formula 2, this is the sixth European title in the history of the company.
1985 - Victory in the Ardennes: debut in the marathon.
In 1985, the Schnitzer team claimed its first victory in a 24-hour race in the BMW 635 CSi. The trio of Roberto Ravaglia, Gerhard Berger and Marc Surer win the classic at Spa-Francorchamps, finishing ahead of the second Schnitzer car, which is driven by Dieter Quester, Markus Oestreich and Johnny Cecotto.
1986 - First title for Ravaglia: beginning of an era.
Schnitzer Motorsport wins the European Championship for the second time after 1983, and with the proven BMW 635 CSi Group A. This time at the wheel is Italian Roberto Ravaglia. This first win together will be followed by many more victories in the years to come.
1987 - World Touring Car Champion: debut in victory.
Schnitzer's Italian driver Roberto Ravaglia wins the World Touring Car Championship in a BMW M3. Ravaglia remains the starter for 18 years, until the next World Touring Car Championship is held in 2005.
1988 - Ravaglia makes it a hat-trick: European champion again.
After winning the European Championship in 1986 and the World Championship in 1987, Roberto Ravaglia collects the third consecutive mosaic for Schnitzer Motorsport in the European Touring Car Championship. Success comes at the wheel of a BMW M3 Group A.
1989 - Maiden title DTM and more: two titles for Schnitzer.
1989 is a very special year for the Schnitzer team, as they win two titles in one season for the first time. Roberto Ravaglia wins the DTM in his rookie season, while Johnny Cecotto triumphs in the Italian Touring Car Championship.
1990 Strike five for Ravaglia: The Italian job.
After winning a World Championship title, two European Championships and the DTM, Roberto Ravaglia collects his fifth consecutive title in the Italian Touring Car Championship. An impressive record, which makes the Italian one of the most successful touring car drivers in the world.Roberto Ravaglia is the legend of the team and touring cars racing.
1993 - British Touring Car Champion: Winkelhock conquers England.
Following BMW's withdrawal from the DTM, Schnitzer looks for a new challenge and finds it in the British Touring Car Championship. Joachim Winkelhock, known as "Smoking Joe", he wins the championship in the first attempt to present the Schnitzer team yet another national title.
1994 - FIA Asia-Pacific Touring Car Champion: A New Adventure
New season, new championship, new continent, but family winners. Our team wins the FIA Asia-Pacific Touring Car Championship with Joachim Winkelhock.
1998 - Johnny Cecotto is the best dog in the STW: back in Germany.
In 1998, another touring car icon wins the German ADAC Super Touring Car Championship in a BMW Schnitzer, in the form of Johnny Cecotto. Given the ITC and DTM no longer exist, the STW is the pinnacle of touring car racing in Germany in 1998.
1999 - Victory at Le Mans: in BMW Motorsport colors.
Operating as a BMW Motorsport work team, Schnitzer wins the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in a BMW V12 LMR driven by Joachim Winkelhock, Pier-Luigi Martini and Yannick Dalmas. This is still one of Freilassing's best hits.
2001 - American Le Mans Series: Win in America
Even across the Atlantic, Schnitzer is the team to beat: Jörg Müller wins the GT title in the American Le Mans Series in a BMW M3 GTR presented by the Schnitzer team. His teammate J.J. Lehto is second. The team title also returns to Upper Bavaria.
2005-2009 - WTCC title race: Schnitzer in the World Touring Car Championship.
Between 2005 and 2009, BMW Team Schnitzer won 25 races in the FIA World Touring Car Championship with the BMW 320i and BMW 320si WTCC. However, despite being in contention until the grand final in Macau on several occasions, there will be no more World Championship titles.
2012 – DTM Champion for the first time asking: Back with a bang.
As in 1989 with Roberto Ravaglia, BMW Team Schnitzer wins the title in its first year in the DTM, courtesy of Bruno Spengler. Freilassing's outfit is also victorious in the Team Championship.Bruno Spengler won the DTM title in 2012 with BMW Team Schnitzer.
Schnitzer Motorsport (Freilassing) is not open to the public.
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