BMW News: The BMW 3 Series is Back Racing and all is Right in the World

by Sam McEachern

With BMW opting to race the M4, M6, and M8 in GT racing categories, the 3 Series has been absent from major race series in recent years.

The sports sedan that started it all is returning to the track for 2019, though, with the automaker today announcing plans to take the G20 3 Series racing in the British Touring Car Championship.

West Surrey Racing will field three G20 330i M Sport touring cars in the BTCC this year for Colin Turkington, Tom Oliphant and Andrew Jordan. BTCC regulations stipulate that all cars must use a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and six-speed sequential transmission. Organizers also balance the cars for performance parity by making adjustments to their power and weight, among more.

The 330i M Sport BTCC car will make its debut at the season-opening round at Brands Hatch’s Indy Circuit on April 6th and 7th. BMW will be looking to build on the successes of its outgoing BTCC challenger, the 125i M Sport, which powered the brand to two driver's titles and three manufacturer's championships.*

"The BMW 3 Series has a rich and successful history competing in the BTCC and we are extremely proud to see that tradition continue," said BMW UK CEO Graeme Grieve. "This all-new BMW 3 Series is the road-going dynamic benchmark and we have a great track record working with our partners at West Surrey Racing, so 2019 looks set to be a very exciting year for us in the BTCC.”