BMW Team RLL Results at Road America Don’t Match the Effort. Sixth and Eighth Place Finishes After Deserving Performances.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – Aug. 5, 2018… The results for BMW Team RLL in today’s Continental Tire Sports Car Showcase at Road America belie an effort that came within minutes of delivering the first victory for the BMW M8 GTE. Taking over the lead on lap 42 with one hour remaining, Connor De Phillippi, driving the No. 25 BMW M8 GTE, looked to be a winner until minutes from the checkered flag. Although indicated as full of fuel on the last pit stop, a refueling system issue did not in fact fill the car and De Phillippi was halted on track just before the white flag flew.

The No. 25 BMW M8 GTE of De Phillippi and Alexander Sims ultimately finished sixth, two laps in arrears of the GTLM class winning No. 67 Ford GT. After a very strong day, the No. 24 BMW M8 GTE of John Edwards and Jesse Krohn was forced to retire from the race with a mechanical issue on lap 52 and was credited with an eighth place finish.

Bobby Rahal, Team Principal said, “The No. 25 car must be a little askew in the fuel tank. It looked like there was enough during the last pit stop, but there just wasn't. It’s tough to be that close to winning the race, but we leave knowing we're competitive.”

Connor De Phillippi, driver No. 25 BMW M8 GTE (P6): “We led a large portion of the last stint, but with two laps to go, I had a stumble and coming into the last corner just ran completely out. I wouldn't say I am disappointed because the guys put in so much hard work, but we did not get the result we deserved.”

Alexander Sims, driver No. 25 BMW M8 GTE (P6): “The car was handling nicely and the guys were doing a great job, but - plain and simple - this was a tough way to lose.”

John Edwards, driver No. 24 BMW M8 GTE (P8): “We were quite competitive today and once again had a mechanical issue, so it's really disappointing because I think we had a sure spot at a podium and potentially a P2.”

Jesse Krohn, driver No. 24 BMW M8 GTE (P8): “Early on in the race it looked good. We were able to keep up with the pack and even fight for position, but ultimately it wasn't our day. 

The No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 of Robby Foley and Markus Palttala finished fourth in the GTD class after being punted out of a podium position in the final minutes of the race.

BimmerWorld Racing drivers Nick Galante and Devin Jones took the Street Tuner class victory in yesterday’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Road America 120. The duo drove the No. 81 BMW 328i to the top of the podium for the third time this season to extend their lead in the driver points standings. In the Grand Sport class, the two

BMW M4 GT4s – the No. 82 and No. 19 cars – campaigned by the BimmerWorld Racing and Stephen Cameron Racing - finished ninth and tenth.

The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR will take the green flag at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 19. The first hour of the race be broadcast on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 1 p.m.

ET with the final one-hour-and-forty minutes broadcast on FOX Sports 2. Follow BMW Team RLL on Twitter at @BMWUSARacing for updates all weekend.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; technology offices in Silicon Valley and Chicago, and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, and X6 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 346 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 153 BMW motorcycle retailers, 127 MINI passenger car dealers, and 36 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

BMW’s partner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan, has been competing for almost three decades. Prior to the start of their 27^th season of competition in 2018, the team had compiled 42 victories, 53 poles, 162 podium finishes, three series championships (1992, 2010, 2011) and claimed an Indianapolis 500 victory (Buddy Rice in 2004). In 2009 the team joined BMW of North America to campaign the new BMW M3 in the American Le Mans Series. The following year the team won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category and swept all three GT titles - Manufacturer, Team and Driver – in 2011. In 2012, the team finished second in the Team Championship and third in the Manufacturer Championship and in 2013, the team finished second in the Driver, Team and Manufacturer Championship. Since 2014, BMW Team RLL has competed in the GTLM class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a two car program and has brought their total to 17 wins, 23 poles and 68 podium finishes as well as a second place finish in the Manufacturer, Team and Driver championships in 2015 and 2017.

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Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwgroupusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com. 

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