Road Atlanta. BMW Team RLL celebrated its fourth GTLM victory
of the year at the season finale of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship (IWSC) at Road Atlanta (USA). At the classic
Petit Le Mans, the number 25 BMW M6 GTLM with
Bill Auberlen (USA), Alexander Sims (GBR) and Kuno Wittmer
(CAN) at the wheel won with a 1.060 second margin-of-victory over
the second-placed Corvette, completing 392 laps of the 2.54-mile
road course in the 10-hour contest. It was the first victory for BMW
Team RLL at this event – and a very special triumph for Auberlen in
his 400th race for BMW. Martin Tomczyk (GER), John
Edwards (USA) and Nick Catsburg (NED) had to retire the number 24
BMW M6 GTLM with less than one hour to go.
In the Drivers’ Championship, Auberlen and Sims conclude the
IMSA season in second place, having 317 points under their belts.
Tomczyk and Edwards have 262 points. In the manufacturers’
standings, BMW is in second place with 342 points after the final round.
The 20
th Petit Le Mans saw the last race appearance of the BMW M6 GTLM.
The car celebrated its debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar
Championship in 2016. Particularly during this second season, the GT
sports car was able to prove its full potential.
BMW Team RLL claimed four victories, at Watkins Glen (USA),
Mosport (CAN), Laguna Seca (USA) and Road Atlanta. Auberlen and Sims
made it onto the top step of the podium on three occasions, while
Tomczyk and Edwards added their maiden IMSA race win as co-drivers
at Laguna Seca.
In addition, the team scored four further podium finishes and
took one pole position in Austin (USA). Since 2009 BMW Team RLL has
scored 17 wins in North American sports car racing. It was the
team’s first-ever GT win at Road Atlanta. Auberlen could celebrate
his 400-race anniversary on the top step of the podium.
Before Saturday’s race start a rain shower hit the track.
Consequently, the field was on wet tyres when the lights went green
for the 10-hour race. The track dried out quickly however, so teams
were soon able to switch to slick tyres. Road Atlanta then provided
the backdrop for some spectacular GT action, with the BMW Team RLL
drivers taking centre stage, thrilling the fans with some great
overtaking moves and fast lap times.
Car number 25 was battling it out in the group of front-runners
from the start, with first-stint driver Auberlen taking the lead
early. Over the course of the race, the BMW M6 GTLM was always in
contention, many times the team showing perfect timing when calling
the car in for pit stops. Auberlen, Sims and Wittmer didn’t make any
mistakes – and were rewarded with victory.
Car number 24, however, suffered a dose of bad luck early in the
race when Tomczyk had to enter the garage for repairs to resolve a
steering issue at the beginning of the second hour which cost the
black BMW M6 GTLM more than 10 laps. The trio of drivers proved
their fighting spirit, but with less than an hour to go Catsburg had
to retire the car with a damaged cooling system.
In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport also had to retire early.
The number 96 BMW M6 GT3 – driven by Jens Klingmann (GER), Jesse
Krohn (FIN) and Justin Marks (USA) – had led the race in the early
stages, before the trio had to give up due to a technical problem.
Over the course of the 2017 championship, Will Turner’s (USA) team
highlights in the GTD category included a win at Road America (USA)
and several podiums with the yellow BMW M6 GT3.
Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):
“This win for BMW Team RLL is the crowning glory of a turbulent
IMSA season. Following some difficult races in the early stages of
the year, we got stronger and stronger with the BMW M6 GTLM and were
able to battle for title honours. Four wins is a great achievement,
we have never scored more wins per season since 2009. I’m
particularly pleased that Bill Auberlen – along with Alexander Sims
and Kuno Wittmer – was able to win in his 400
th race with BMW. A big thank you goes to the whole team. This was
also the final race for the BMW M6 GTLM. In 2018 we will write a new
chapter with the BMW M8 GTE and cannot wait for the first race
appearance of the car at Daytona next year. I would also like to
mention the Turner Motorsport team. They were victorious with the
BMW M6 GT3 again in 2017 and scored several podiums. Will Turner’s
crew is a true flagship for our customer racing programme in North America.”
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):
“This was a good, tough race. I’m so happy for Bill, winning at
his 400
th race appearance for BMW. Alexander and Kuno also did a great
job. In the end, the Corvette gave us everything it had to give –
but we still won. To win four race in one year is pretty good in
this series. And they were hard-fought. I’m really pleased for BMW
Motorsport and the whole team. What a way to end the year with two
wins in a row.”
Bill Auberlen (No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM, 1st place):
“We went to battle with this BMW M6 GTLM. This was a perfect
car right from the beginning. Thanks to all my guys. What great way
to complete my 400
th race with BMW. This is just amazing.”
Alexander Sims (No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM, 1st place):
“What a race. This was really, really something. It was very
challenging out there, but the team made the right calls all day. We
beat a few people into some of the stops under yellow which was
really helpful for the overall race. We had a great pace. But
traffic was always a big gamble. BMW and the whole team worked very
well this weekend – and all season. I’m so glad we brought it home.”
Kuno Wittmer (No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM, 1st place):
“I’m overwhelmed with emotions right now. This is such a team
sport. Every person in the team performed to absolute perfection
today. That’s how you win. Co-driving with Bill was great again. He
is someone to look up to. Alex is an amazing talent. I couldn’t ask
for better team-mates. Good job BMW Team RLL!”
John Edwards (No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM, DNF):
“This outcome sums up our season really. Either we did great or
we didn’t finish. We had another DNF today. This is not what you
want. The good news, however, is the great result of our sister car.”
Martin Tomczyk (No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM, DNF):
“You certainly wish for a different result in the final race of
the year. Again we had a technical issue with the power steering at
the beginning of the race. That’s a shame. The pace was there. For
us it didn’t work out. Nevertheless it was a great year for me here
in the States. We had a victory at Laguna Seca, driving with John
was a great experience. Congrats to our team-mates!”
Nick Catsburg (No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM, DNF):
“Unfortunately we not only lost ten laps due to a technical
issue in the beginning. Later on we had to retire. We would have
liked to finish the race, as we never quit. But we were just unlucky
today. It’s great to see our team-mates winning. They did a great job.”