Two additional teams will enter BMW’s M235i Racing customer race car in the Pirelli World Challenge series in 2017. Long-time PWC competitor Turner Motorsport will return to the series to campaign three M235iRs, while Virginia-based Rooster Hall Racing will enter one car.
This year the Classic BMW Motorsports M235i Racing with Toby Grahovec at the wheel is going into the October PWC season finale with the lead in Touring Car class team and drivers’ points.
Next year, Turner will enter three of the cars in the TC class; drivers will be named later. Turner entered an M235i Racing in the 2015 Tire Rack BMW CCA Oktoberfest Club Race at New Jersey Motorsports Park; Will Turner piloted the car to two overall wins in the two races in which he entered the car.
Turner said, “We are really looking forward to getting back into Touring Car racing with these BMW M235R racecars. As the M235R has already demonstrated all over the world, it is a very competitive and dependable platform that we think is a great addition to the Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car class and our racing programs for 2017.”
Turner added, “Having some experience with this car already, we think that the M235R is a great racecar for a customer racing program, making a perfect stepping stone for someone with aspirations of racing in GT or other higher classes. The M235R also shares a good amount of parts with the M235i street car which is cost effective when compared to GT racing, which allows us to put together more reasonable budgets for the season.”
Rooster Hall Racing, run by BMW Club Racer Todd Brown and his family, will enter an M235i Racing in PWC with frequent Club Racer and race driving instructor Anthony Magagnoli at the controls. The car was tested in August at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and also ran in the O’Fest race at Sonoma Raceway in August, where it finished third in class in the first race and exited the second race after an off-course excursion. Magagnoli said, “I am thrilled to be teaming up with RHR for what I know will be a great racing relationship. I’ve worked with the Brown family for a few years now and know what a class act they are personally, how committed they are to their endeavors professionally, and how naturally well we work together. I thank Todd and the team for having the confidence in me to bring me on board and look forward to progressing with the team into the professional ranks next year!”
If Grahovec’s experience with the M235i Racing in PWC this year is any indication, the car should be a strong contender in the Touring Car class in 2017.—Brian S. Morgan
Photos:
Anthony Magagnoli ran the Rooster Hall Racing M235i Racing in the 2016 O’Fest race at Sonoma Raceway. Brian Morgan photo
Will Turner won two sprints in an M235i Racing at the 2015 O’Fest race at NJMP. Brian Morgan photo
