With four races remaining in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), this weekend’s race at Road America (USA) begins BMW Team RLL’s final push for the GTLM class championship. After a difficult start to the season, Bobby Rahal’s (USA) outfit has fought back to score six podium finishes in the last four races, including two wins by Bill Auberlen (USA) and Alexander Sims (GBR) in the No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM.
While teammates John Edwards (USA) and Martin Tomczyk (GER) have yet to reach the top of the podium, the No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM drivers have a second-place and two third-place results in the last four races.
BMW has moved into third place in GTLM class Manufacturer points, seven behind leader Chevrolet. Auberlen and Sims finished sixth in the last round at Lime Rock Park, but remain second in the Driver points – seven points away from first. Edwards and Tomczyk have climbed to seventh in the Driver points.
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL): “We have a pretty successful history at Road America. We have won three times, and been second a couple of times. We’ve qualified well there most times and, even the times we didn’t qualify well, we had good finishes. Based on our performance at COTA, Watkins Glen and Mosport, we should be in pretty good shape at Road America. But we will see how that shakes out. It’s well known that the BMW M6 GTLM likes long, fast corners and that’s everything that Road America is.”
Bill Auberlen (No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM): “We’ve had a great run over the last four races, with three podiums, including two wins and that has Alexander and me second in the points. With its long, sweeping corners Road America really suits the BMW M6 GTLM and I know we can count on continuing our championship fight.”
Alexander Sims (No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM): “Having tested at the awesome Road America, I think we can go there expecting to be competitive and fight near the front. Obviously, many things can happen, but I hope it will be a good hunting ground for us in the BMW M6 GTLM.”
John Edwards (No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM): “Last year we scored our only podium of the year at Road America, and this year we’re riding the momentum of three podiums in the last four races. I’m excited to push for a win at one of the coolest tracks we race on. We spent two days testing there, so I’m confident that we will be ready to perform and keep BMW in the hunt for the manufacturers’ championship.”
Martin Tomczyk (No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM): “Road America is one of the few tracks where I have tested. So from that point of view I know the track already, and we can concentrate right from the beginning on the perfect set-up. The track seems to fit the BMW M6 GTLM better than, say Lime Rock Park. After having a sensational fight there, I am looking forward to more racing with our competitors. Racing in the States is pure passion!”
Source. BMW
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