BMW Team RLL is looking to Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wis., for a repeat of the magic the classic road racing circuit brought to the team when it raced to its first BMW victory in 2009 to see the BMW M6 GTLM reach the top of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTLM class podium.
From that first win in 2009, a BMW Team RLL BMW M3 GT2 won twice more at Road America in the remaining three years of that program, finishing second in 2011 - the only year it failed to win. The BMW Z4 program raced from 2013 through 2016 with the Road America highlight being a run to second from the pole in 2014.
This season’s two-hour-and-forty-minute Continental Tire Road Race Showcase will see BMW Team RLL arrive with two newly rebuilt racing cars after both were crashed out by a competitor during the July 23rd race at Lime Rock Park. Both Bill Auberlen and Lucas Luhr were unable to race.
After seven rounds completed and four remaining in the season, Auberlen and Dirk Werner, with two podium finishes to their credit, stand fourth in GTLM driver points. Luhr and John Edwards stand ninth. BMW stands fifth in Manufacturer points.
“BMW Team RLL has been very successful at Road America over the years,” said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “The fast, sweeping corners lend themselves to BMW’s handling strengths. I believe the M6 GTLM is equally well suited to the circuit, just as it was at Watkins Glen - a track with similar corners. And, of course, Road America is a track that is one of my favorites in the world.”
Bill Auberlen, driver #25 BMW M6 GTLM: “We are now headed to the best track in America and it is time to bring home a win for the BMW M6 GLTM. It's long overdue and our recent results haven't shown how amazing the car really is. Next week is time to win. Period.”
Dirk Werner, driver #25 BMW M6 GTLM: “Road America is one of the best tracks we go to during the season. And I will go there just after competing in the 24h of Spa on one of the best tracks in Europe. Good times for me! I think we will have a competitive car, just like we had in the last couple of races. The team is working without a break to improve our package. They want to get our first win with the M6 GTLM as much as Bill and I do."
John Edwards, driver #100 BMW M6 GTLM: “Elkhart Lake is always a fun place to go race. It's a very historic track so there is a great energy around the track and the town when we go there. Road America is also home to the Kink, the fastest corner on our calendar, which has some big consequences if you get it wrong! The track also has some long straight always which open up the opportunity for more passing than a typical circuit. It should be a great race.”
Lucas Luhr, driver #100 BMW M6 GTLM: “Road America is by far my favorite circuit in the US. It would be wonderful to turn the season around this weekend for the #100 car and show a result that better reflects the level of effort everyone has put in and the performance the M6 GTLM really has.”
The Continental Tire Road Race Showcase takes the green flag at 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 7 with the live broadcast beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Follow BMW Team RLL on Twitter at @BMWUSARacing for “from-the-pit-box” updates all weekend.
