PressClub Global · Article.
BMW Team RLL restarts USCC season at Watkins Glen.
Thu Jun 25 12:32:55 CEST 2015 Press Release
Following an eight week break in the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) action for teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FR), BMW Team RLL will restart its season at Watkins Glen International (US), in Watkins Glen, NY, on 28th June with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.
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Munich (DE), 25th June 2015. Following an eight week break in the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) action for teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FR), BMW Team RLL will restart its season at Watkins Glen International (US), in Watkins Glen, NY, on 28th June with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.
Watkins Glen International this weekend will also be the site of the North American public reveal of the new BMW M6 GT3 and BMW M235i Racing cars. The BMW M6 GT3 is BMW Motorsport's replacement for the BMW Z4 GT3 that has seen so much professional and privateer success worldwide in recent years. The BMW M6 GT3 is currently in the testing phase and is expected to make its racing debut in 2016. The BMW M235i Racing is planned to be made available to North American enthusiasts next year. Both cars will be on display at the BMWUSA Classic display along with the number 25 BMW 3.0 CSL that gave BMW its first motorsport victory at Sebring in 1975 and the BMW of North America sponsored McLaren F1 GTR that raced at Le Mans in 1996.
With two wins (Long Beach-No. 25; Laguna Seca-No. 24) and an additional two runner-up finishes (Daytona-No. 25, Laguna Seca-No.25) in the first four races of the ten-event season, BMW Team RLL sits at the top of the GTLM class Manufacturer points standings, with two more points than Chevrolet. The team stands second (No. 25) and third (No. 24) in Team points with the pairings of Bill Auberlen (US)/Dirk Werner (DE) and John Edwards (US)/Lucas Luhr (DE) second and third in the Driver points respectively.
The team shoehorned in a productive two-day test on 20th and 21st May at Watkins Glen just days before many of the crew joined the RLL IndyCar team for the Indianapolis 500. Auberlen, Edwards and Luhr attended the test. More than 200 laps were run on the 3.4-mile, 11-turn circuit that hosted the United States Grand Prix from 1961 to 1980.
Last year, Andy Priaulx (GB) qualified the number 55 car on the class pole for the six-hour contest, but the team struggled with pace over the longer stints in the race – finishing sixth and tenth.
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):
“Interestingly enough, I wasn’t confident about our abilities at Laguna Seca and yet obviously we had a pretty good result. Watkins Glen is a faster circuit than Laguna, but it’s still all about handling so I actually feel somewhat better about our chances. Last year we qualified on pole at Watkins Glen, but it was a difficult race for us. We had all kinds of issues with one car and we didn’t finish very well. I think it will be a tough, competitive race but I’m optimistic that if we minimise mistakes we can capture another podium.”
Bill Auberlen (Number 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“Testing at the Glen is a very important component to success in the Six Hour. The circuit is so long and challenging, with complicated corners like turn five and the Carousel that lead you onto the long straights, you need to understand exactly how to be your best.”
Dirk Werner (Number 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“I am very excited about driving at Watkins Glen in our next USCC race. I have some experience there with a win in the GT class in the 2009 Grand Am race. I think I will need to get back in the rhythm a bit after not being in the car since Laguna Seca, but then I will, for sure, enjoy this great track. It has a good flow and some nice quick corners. But most important: We will keep pushing for good results.”
John Edwards (Number 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“Certainly the one-two finish at Laguna Seca was an important one for the team, possibly even more so than the win at Long Beach because it showed the performance of the BMW Z4 GTLM is now more of a complete package. Watkins Glen is the acid test because we struggled there last season. We have to be solid in every stint and continue to post strong results.”
Lucas Luhr (Number 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“The Six Hour is always an excellent event – lots of fans and people camping along the circuit. I enjoy racing at the Glen. The team has continued to improve with every race. John and I got our first victory of the season at Laguna Seca and we are working hard for another.”