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Second place on the podium for BMW Team RLL in Virginia – Bill Auberlen celebrates IMSA record win.
Sun Aug 23 10:29:11 CEST 2020 Press Release
BMW Team RLL has returned to the podium in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA). Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Connor De Phillippi (USA) finished the fifth race of the 2020 season, held on Saturday at ‘VIRginia International Raceway’ (USA), in second place of the GTLM class.
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Ingo Lehbrink
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Alton . BMW Team RLL has returned to the podium in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA). Bruno Spengler (CAN) and Connor De Phillippi (USA) finished the fifth race of the 2020 season, held on Saturday at ‘VIRginia International Raceway’ (USA), in second place of the GTLM class. It was the first podium finish for the duo in the #25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE and came on the day before Spengler’s 37th birthday on Sunday.
After 85 laps and a race duration of two hours and forty minutes, the #25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE crossed the line just 3.5 seconds behind the winning Corvette. The BMW Team RLL duo in the #24 car, John Edwards (USA) and Jesse Krohn (FIN), fell victim to a mechanical issue early in the race and ultimately finished 19 laps down.
The story of the day was the victory in the GTD class by Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley (both USA) in the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3. The win marked Auberlen’s 61st IMSA victory and moves him to the top of the standings in all-time IMSA victories. The race marked Auberlen’s 443rd race start in a BMW, also a record.
Reactions to the IMSA race at ‘VIRginia International Raceway’.
Bruno Spengler (BMW Team RLL, #25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE) : “I entered the race with only very few laps of practice and had to really focus. Connor (De Phillippi) did a great job and when I got in the car my target was clear – to finish on the podium. I found my rhythm, but the competition did not make it easy. I am delighted with our effort.”
Connor De Phillippi (BMW Team RLL, #25 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE): “It feels great to get our first podium finish. We drove hard and clean to put ourselves in a position to fight for the win and at the checkered flag were only one step away from the top of the podium. We’ll soon get Bruno (Spengler) his first IMSA win.”
Bill Auberlen (Turner Motorsport, #96 BMW M6 GT3): “I am humbled to own this record and dedicate it to my mom and dad. My thanks to BMW for having the faith in me to sign me back in 1996. I have been lucky to have many great co-drivers and Robby (Foley) was the man today, driving two great stints and making it look easy. To everyone at Turner Motorsport, my second home, I’m delighted to have shared this with you all. Now, let’s go see about win number 62.”