Scheider admits talks with BMW over a rallycross project
Double DTM champion Timo Scheider has confirmed that he is in talks with BMW about a Rallycross entry.
Scheider raced full-time in World RX in 2017 for the MJP Racing Team Austria squad, following selected appearances in 2015 and 2016. He finished on the podium at the opening round in Barcelona this year.
Scheider told MN: “There are dreams and hopes and there is something positive behind that. I can’t say anything more but I can tell you that we’re in deep talks [with BMW].”
The German driver expects to remain in World RX next season, but is yet to confirm who he will drive for. “Let’s see,” he said. “I try to make it happen for next year, it looks good for 2018 but I will also do some races with BMW somewhere else so it will be a double programme. That’s the target we have.”
Following his retirement from DTM at the end of 2016, which ended a 10-year relationship with Audi, the German driver signed for BMW and raced in the Nurburgring 24 hours alongside his World RX campaign this year.
Scheider finished the World RX season as the highest-placed non-worksbacked driver, in 10th, and acknowledged the lure to manufacturers of a potential electric rallycross category, that could be introduced to World RX as soon as 2020.
He added: “The future looks bright with electric rallycross. So far it sounds quite interesting what the manufacturers are talking about. When you look at how much manufacturers are involved in Formula E for example, then for sure the future of rallycross with electric cars can be a good future.”