WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. – BMW Team RLL officials have announced changes to the team driver roster ahead of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
Bill Auberlen will transition to a new role in support of BMW of North America’s customer racing program as a BMW North America Brand Ambassador. Auberlen will remain a part of BMW Team RLL’s driver roster at the four endurance events on the IMSA schedule.
“I am honored to have been asked to become a BMW North America Brand Ambassador and look forward to additional opportunities with BMW of North America,” said Auberlen. “First and foremost I am a racing driver and am looking forward to four races with BMW Team RLL in 2018. My goal remains to get to the top of the list in all-time North American sports car victories and I want that achievement to be shared with BMW. We are only three wins away. We have not yet determined what else I may be driving but every opportunity in a BMW racing car is a good one.”
24-year old Connor De Phillippi will join BMW Team RLL to race full-time for the team in the new BMW M8 GTE, which the team recently tested at Homestead-Miami Speedway. De Phillippi will return to living in his native California after being based in Europe for five years and driving first for Porsche in their Junior program and, most recently, with Audi.
In the last two seasons De Phillippi drove for Land Motorsport, co-driving to wins at the Nurburgring 24 and Petit Le Mans (GTD class) in 2017.
“To be part of the BMW family is something I am very proud of,” said De Phillippi. “Driving for BMW Team RLL is quite an achievement for me and I hope I can add to the success of the team next year.”
John Edwards will return for his sixth season with BMW Team RLL in 2018. Since joining the team in 2013 he has scored a total of 15 podium finishes, including three victories.
“The M8 GTE will be the third racing car I will have driven for BMW Team RLL and so far I believe it is the coolest,” said Edwards. “I look forward to continuing the ongoing development of the car and getting its first victory sooner than later.”
Source : speedsport.com
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