Christoph von Oeynhausen gave a former Triple Eight Motorsport BMW Z4 GT3 another chapter in its racing history with a spectacular double victory for Classic & Speed at the Nürburgring. More than a decade after the #888 BMW raced in British GT and the Blancpain Endurance Series, Von Oeynhausen brought the ‘Zetti’ back to the front at his home circuit.
“It was crazy. I didn’t really know where I was before the safety car, and then the team was just pushing me through.
“On the last lap, I didn’t know there was a yellow in Turn 1, so I attacked. Then I saw the yellow and held a bit back. I overtook in Turns 3 and 4.
“It was just crazy. It was so much fun.”
Bringing the ‘Zetti’ back
The win carried extra meaning for Von Oeynhausen because of the history underneath him. The BMW is a former Triple Eight Motorsport Z4 GT3 that raced extensively with Joe Osborne and Lee Mowle.
The car competed in British GT and the Blancpain Endurance Series during the mid-2010s, including at the Spa 24 Hours and Nürburgring, with drivers such as Joe Osborne, Lee Mowle, Dirk Müller and Ryan Ratcliffe. Today, the car wears its colours from the 2015 season – the final year of the Z4 before it was replaced by the BMW M6 GT3.
Von Oeynhausen learned more about that history directly from one of the drivers who lived it.
“When Joe Osborne came up to me for the first time, he told me what happened and what they did with the car. It’s just so nice to bring it back.
“Also as it’s supposed to, because they were fighting like crazy in British GT. So I want to do it again and show the people what it’s capable of.”
The Z4 has lost little of its following in the years since. At the Nürburgring, Von Oeynhausen felt that connection throughout the weekend.
“All of the people, all the fans, they remember the Z4s from the old days. Everybody is huge in support, but also with the other cars.
“It’s just really nice to be here with these cars. It’s good competition as well.”
A family affair
Classic & Speed also runs another BMW Z4 GT3 from the era, a former Marc VDS Racing car driven by Christoph’s father, Marcus von Oeynhausen.
“It’s so nice. We did it at the Spa 24 Hours as well, and then we had the win.
“Also in Race 1 on Saturday, I saw him back in the race for a short time. It’s just special. We sort of have our own motivation for each other.
“That is the best thing. I think it doesn’t get better than that.”
Last-lap Nürburgring victory
Race 2 provided perhaps the best demonstration yet of what the old Triple Eight BMW can still do.
After spinning on the opening lap, the younger Von Oeynhausen fought his way back into contention. A late safety car put him within reach of the leaders before he passed Jean-Luc Beaubelique and closed on Nick Padmore’s Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3.
The move for victory came on the final lap. Von Oeynhausen passed Padmore through the Mercedes Arena and Ford corner to complete the Nürburgring sweep.
Inside the Classic & Speed garage, nobody was keeping quiet.
“The boys and the whole family, they were all shouting. It was really nice. It was the best feeling, best feeling ever.”
And the celebrations?
“Lots of champagne.”
