The BMW Motorsport Juniors are about to contest their first joint race. This weekend, Victor Bouveng (SE), Louis Delétraz (CH) and Trent Hindman (US), and their head instructor Dirk Adorf (DE), will compete at the 24 Hours of Zolder (BE). The quartet will take on well-known competition from the world of GT, touring cars and sports cars in a BMW M235i Racing. The race on the legendary track is extremely popular in Belgium in particular, and traditionally attracts many fans as well as some of the top racing drivers in the country. The huge number of vehicle classes that are allowed to compete in the race is a unique characteristic of the 24 Hours of Zolder. The race is contested by GT3 cars, as well as sports cars and touring cars – for example, the BMW M235i Racing.

The BMW Motorsport Juniors have undergone intensive preparations ahead of the race in Zolder in the race simulator at the iZone Driver Performance Centre in Silverstone (GB). It will be the first 24-hour race of their careers for Delétraz and Hindman; Bouveng contested the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (DE) in the BMW M235i Racing Media Car. Nick Cassidy (NZ), the fourth BMW Motorsport Junior in the 2015 class, will line up alongside his class mates at the 12 Hours of Brünn (CZ) on 10th October.

The race in Zolder gets underway this Saturday at 4 p.m. local time.

Driver quotes ahead of the race:

Dirk Adorf (head instructor):

“I am really looking forward to taking on the challenge with the BMW Motorsport Juniors. This appearance is incredibly important for them because this is where they learn that motorsport is a team sport. An endurance race is no place for egoists, it's the joint success that counts. There is no doubt that the lads have the necessary speed. It's all about delivering a perfect performance and bringing home a good result. I am very excited to see how they will fare. I definitely don't intend to be the one sitting in the car the longest.”

Trent Hindman: (Brian Graham Racing)

“I generally try to go into a race weekend with as few expectations as possible since expectations often bring disappointment. My goal is to soak up everything I experience in Zolder so that I can benefit from it in my development. It will be the first time in over two years that I will have raced in Europe. I will have to get used to a new track, and it has also been a long time since I have driven the BMW M235i Racing. But nevertheless my aim is to give it my all in the car and deliver a top performance for my team.”

Victor Bouveng:

“I have gained experience on the Nürburgring, but driving a 24-hour race on the much shorter track in Zolder is completely different. I am really looking forward to this new challenge, but in particular to contesting a race alongside the other BMW Juniors for the first time. I am certain that we will work very well together.”

Louis Delétraz:

“Naturally I am a little nervous ahead of my first 24-hour race, but I am also really looking forward to this new experience. I contested a four-hour race in a kart once, but you can't even begin to compare that with a marathon like the one in Zolder. The preparation for the race in the simulator was extremely useful. At the weekend it will feel like I have already driven on the track in real life. I already know how fast and technically demanding it will be. That is an enormous help when it comes to finding a good rhythm quickly. As well as the actual race, I am looking forward to the teamwork and everything that I can learn from such an experienced endurance driver as Dirk Adorf.”

Trent Hindman spent 2011 with Brian Graham Racing in the Ontario Formula Ford Championship, winning the prestigious F1600 support race at the Canadian Grand Prix