The motorsport world mourns the loss of Herbert Schnitzerthe last of the legendary Schnitzer brothers who steered BMW to countless victories on race tracks worldwide. Schnitzer passed away peacefully at his home in Freilassing on his 85th birthday, surrounded by his family.
Christian Menzel, a former racing driver, expressed his grief on Instagram, sharing a photo of Schnitzer with his half-brothers Charly and Dieter Lamm. Menzel wrote, “To me, Schnitzer was BMW; they lived the brand’s values and communicated them authentically to all fans. One of the most successful motorsport teams ever and an unreachable team spirit – role models.”
The Schnitzer Legacy: A Half-Century of Motorsport Excellence
The Schnitzer name is synonymous with BMW’s motorsport achievements. For over 50 years, Schnitzer Motorsport and BMW were inseparable, achieving remarkable successes across various racing categories.
The Early Days: A Family Affair
Herbert Schnitzer’s journey began in the 1950s in Freilassing, where he and his brother Josef were trained as car mechanics by their stepfather, Karl Lamm. In 1963, the brothers purchased a damaged Fiat, restored it, and entered it into races, marking the start of their motorsport adventures. While Josef focused on racing, Herbert managed the business side, becoming a BMW dealer in 1964.
The Rise to Prominence
In 1966, Josef Schnitzer became the German Touring Car Champion in a BMW 2000ti he tuned himself, bringing the first title to Freilassing. This victory was just the beginning of a remarkable success story. In 1971, Charly Lamm joined the team, initially assisting with minor tasks but eventually becoming the team manager and primary decision-maker. Dieter Lamm, Charly’s twin brother, also played a crucial role in technical processes and logistics.
Milestones and Triumphs
The Schnitzer team’s achievements are nothing short of extraordinary. They built Toyota engines for rally outings and helped Jacques Laffite win the 1975 Formula 2 European Championship with a Schnitzer-engineered BMW power unit. The team’s success continued with three European Touring Car Championships in the 1980s and a streak of nine victories in the Macau Guia Circuit.
The Pinnacle: Le Mans and Beyond
Between 1989 and 2010, Schnitzer triumphed five times at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, contributing significantly to BMW’s record as the event’s most successful manufacturer. They also won the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps five times starting in 1985. Notable victories include the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring with the legendary BMW V12 LMR prototype.
DTM Success and Beyond
Schnitzer’s success extended to the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), with titles won by Roberto Ravaglia in 1989, Joachim Winkelhock in 1995, and Johnny Cecotto in 1998. In 2001, the team secured the GT title in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). From 2005 to 2009, Schnitzer competed in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), achieving 25 victories and 57 podium finishes.
The End of an Era
In 2012, Schnitzer returned to the DTM as a works team with BMW, winning the drivers’ title with Bruno Spengler, the teams’ title for Schnitzer, and the manufacturers’ title for BMW. However, the team’s activities were scaled back in 2016 when BMW withdrew from the series. Despite continuing in GT racing and achieving notable successes, the team was eventually dissolved in 2026 due to BMW’s realignment of its motorsport strategy.
Keeping the Legacy Alive
The Schnitzer legacy lives on through Schnitzer Classic, owned by Stefan and Yannik Trautwein, who acquired large parts of the team’s inventory. They continue to run the historic racing cars, a mission that deeply moved Herbert Schnitzer. “You loved telling stories and sharing gems from your rich life,” the Trautwein team wrote on Instagram, “and how much we loved listening to you. Every anecdote, every memory of the wild years was a gift.”
The large picture of Herbert Schnitzer, Josef, Charly, and Dieter hangs centrally in the Trautwein workshop, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Schnitzer brothers. The team intends to keep the engines roaring in Herbert Schnitzer’s honor, ensuring that his contributions to BMW’s motorsport history are never forgotten.
