Bill Auberlen Wins BMW M Legends Race at the Nurburgring.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - June 2, 2022 --- Bill Auberlen spent this past Memorial Day weekend far from his Lake Havasu, Arizona home at the famed Nurburgring, in the Eiffel Mountains of Germany, doing what he does best, winning races in a BMW. This race was a very special, invitational contest for BMW drivers from the past five decades to celebrate the golden anniversary of BMW M Motorsport. There were 12 identically prepared BMW M2 CS race cars and collectively more BMW racing experience than anywhere else on the planet lined up for a 30-minute race to kick off the 24-Hour race weekend.

In addition to Auberlen, Dirk Adorf (DE), Johnny Cecotto (VEN), Eddie Cheever (USA), Harald Grohs (DE), Olaf Manthey (DE), Jochen Mass (DE), Arturo Merzario (IT), Steve Soper (UK), HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria (DE), Franciscus van Meel (NL) and Eric van de Poele (BEL) made up the grid.

Cheered on by the fans lining the Grand Prix circuit, no mercy was shown as the M Legends executed overtaking maneuvers, drifts, battles, and some accidents before celebrating together on the podium. Victory went to Bill Auberlen, who fought his way through the entire field after starting from last place on the reverse grid, having posted the best time in qualifying. Second and third places went to the BMW DTM legends Johnny Cecotto and Steve Soper. Guest of honor, the former FIA President Jean Todt waved the checkered flag and joined Franciscus van Meel and Jochen Neerpasch, co-founder of BMW M GmbH, to hand over the trophies. Spectators were drawn to the BMW M Race of Legends paddock throughout the weekend and the drivers lost count of the autograph requests.

A delighted Auberlen said, “That was so much fun! I had a superb time on the track with these guys. I knew that Johnny Cecotto would be the toughest nut to crack – and he did shove me into the gravel once. Once I passed him, I simply enjoyed watching his duel with Steve Soper in the rear-view mirror. Overall, a fantastic event from BMW M. Thanks for letting me be part of it!”

What’s Bill doing this weekend? Racing a BMW, of course. Practice starts tomorrow for the IMSA Detroit Grand Prix where Bill and co-driver Robby Foley will be racing for a second consecutive GT Daytona class victory in the No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3.

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; a technology office in Silicon Valley 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, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 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.