Paul Dalla Lana is the 2011 season’s most successful BMW privateer

50th BMW Sports Trophy Award Ceremony in Munich

This year’s trophy for the most successful private BMW driver is heading to Canada: BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt presented Paul Dalla Lana (CA) with the winner’s cheque for 30,000 Euros at the 50th BMW Sports Trophy Award Ceremony, held in the Double Cone building at Munich’s BMW Welt. Dalla Lana’s 23 starts with the BMW M3 in the GT class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the GS class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge allowed the Canadian to score 517.47 points in BMW’s privateer competition over the course of the season.

“Congratulations to Paul Dalla Lana,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “He caused a sensation in several classes in the GRAND-AM Series, in which he was a regular on the podium. It is no coincidence that a driver from Canada tops our privateer standings this year. The interest in motorsport across the Atlantic is immense, and the drivers in the North American series are also well aware that driving a BMW car significantly increases their chances.”

Speaking after the Award Ceremony, Dalla Lana said: “I didn’t expect to win the BMW Sports Trophy. We had a fantastic 2011 season, but this comes as no surprise when you work with BMW, a team like Turner Motorsport or drivers like Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand. It just feels great to be part of the BMW family. From talented young guns to true-blood professional drivers, everybody comes together here. Being part of it makes me proud.”

The runner-up spot behind Dalla Lana went to Ricardo van der Ende (NL), who triumphed in the GT4 European Cup and Dutch GT4 Championship at the wheel of his BMW M3 GT4. The Dutchman was followed by Robert Driscoll (US) in third place. Driving a BMW 323i, Driscoll tasted success in both the American Pro IT Series and North Atlantic Road Racing Championship in 2011.

Two hundred and thirty five participants – more than ever before in the history of the competition – entered the 50th edition of the BMW Sports Trophy, each looking to earn themselves a share of the 250,000 Euros prize money. Marquardt said: “Even after 50 years, the BMW Sports Trophy still retains its appeal for drivers around the world. We once again had a record number of participants in 2011. A closer look at the list of entrants shows the many different ways in which drivers and teams can race successfully with BMW cars: 27 different models were in action in over 40 racing series across four continents, winning an impressive nine titles. Every driver competing in the BMW Sports Trophy is part of the BMW Motorsport family. The participants have come to value this for half a decade. They are fantastic ambassadors for BMW.”

Among the ambassadors in 2011 was once again Franz Engstler (DE), who has won the BMW Sports Trophy on two occasions in the past and finished in 19th place this year. In the 16th round of the World Touring Car Championship in Oschersleben (DE), Engstler claimed the maiden World Championship victory for the BMW 320 TC, with the win coming just six days after his 50th birthday.

In recognition of his performances over countless seasons as a BMW privateer and representative of BMW customer racing, the experienced driver was presented with the “Honorary Sports Trophy” by Marquardt.

As well as the opportunity to win a substantial amount of prize money at the end of the year, participation in the BMW Sports Trophy also offers drivers many other benefits. Particularly attractive are the many partnerships that BMW Motorsport enjoys with selected companies as part of its customer racing programme.

2011 BMW Sports Trophy Results.

1 Paul Dalla Lana, Canada, BMW M3, 517.47 points

2 Ricardo van der Ende, Netherlands, BMW M3 GT4, 443.93 points

3 Robert Driscoll, USA, BMW 323i, 417.38 points

4 Jeff Henderson, USA, BMW 323i, 407.62 points

5 Nobuteru Taniguchi, Japan, BMW Z4 GT3, 400.00 points

6 Simon Knap, Netherlands, BMW M3 GT4, 394.22 points

7 Duncan Huisman, Netherlands, BMW M3 GT4, 374.83 points

8 Carsten Knechtges, Germany, BMW Z4, 339.10 points

8 Manuel Metzger, Germany, BMW Z4, 339.10 points

8 Tim Scheerbarth, Germany, BMW Z4, 339.10 points

11 Robert Thiele, USA, BMW 325i, 335.24 points

12 Mario Merten, Germany, BMW Z4, 319.74 points

13 Jeroen den Boer, Netherlands, BMW Z4 GT3, 318.83 points

14 Colin Turkington, Great Britain, BMW 320si WTCC, 316.84 points

15 Alberto Cerqui, Italy, BMW M3, 315.00 points

16 Wolf Silvester, Germany, BMW Z4, 314.94 points

17 Thomas Biagi, Italy, BMW M3, 310.00 points

18 Dino Lunardi, France, BMW Alpina B6, 299.50 points

19 Franz Engstler, Germany, BMW 320 TC, 294.97 points

20 Kristian Poulsen, Denmark, BMW 320 TC, 294.94 points

21 Edward Sandström, Sweden, BMW Z4 GT3, 291.71 points

22 Alexandros Margaritis, Griechenland, BMW Alpina B6, 282.00 points

23 Johannes Leidinger, Germany, BMW 320si WTCC, 281.07 points

24 Matt Plumb, USA, BMW M3, 272.00 points

25 Johan Stureson, Sweden, BMW 320si WTCC, 265.00 points