BMW Team RLL has success in Daytona 24 Hours

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Team RLL results from Daytona 24 Hours

32
COMMENTS

Tweet

BMW Team RLL finishes second and fourth at Daytona – No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM crosses the line only 0.478 seconds from victory

January 25, 2014

Daytona (US), 25th January 2015. BMW Team RLL finished second and fourth in this weekend's 53rd Daytona 24 Hours on the 40th anniversary of BMW Motorsport's very first race in North America and the start of the 1975 IMSA season for the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL.

With car numbers chosen to honour that car, the no. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM finished second and the no. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM took the chequered flag fourth. Bill Auberlen (US), Augusto Farfus (BR), Bruno Spengler (CA) and Dirk Werner (DE) completed 725 laps around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course in the number 25 machine during the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic.

Werner, the finishing driver, crossed the line a scant 0.478 seconds behind the winning no. 3 Corvette. The no. 24, driven by John Edwards (US), Jens Klingmann (DE), Lucas Luhr (DE) and Graham Rahal (US) finished 24 laps in arrears after an accident just past the nine-hour mark cost the quartet 29 laps.

Last year, the team finished the season opener of the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) at Daytona in the same positions, and, following another podium finish at Sebring (US), led the championship for the early part of the 2014 season.

Quotes after the Daytona 24 Hours:

Jens Marquardt (BMW Motorsport Director):

“That was a nail biter for the last ten to fifteen minutes. The final yellow came in just the right moment for us so we were lucky at the end. I should give a compliment to everyone involved for the hard work here and back in Munich over the winter to build some top speed into the BMW Z4 GTLM that we were lacking here last year. We can definitely see the improvement. We aren’t there yet, but the guys had something in their hands that they could fight with today, and in that respect I send big, big congratulations to all the drivers and the team. They really fought hard and deserve this second-place. I would have been super happy with a win, but only one-half second behind at the finish is a result we can be proud of. Second and fourth make a fantastic start the 2015 season and the 40th anniversary here for BMW.”

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):

“All the drivers did a great job in their respective cars. They did, frankly, everything we asked them to. We are getting closer every year. Maybe next time we'll get to the top of the Daytona podium.”

Dirk Werner (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM, 2nd place):

“To finish a race like that is nice. In the last couple of laps we were both on the limit. I tried to give everything, but it was just not enough – although we were really close. I think the team can be really happy with all that we have achieved in this 24 hour race and the performance of the car, which was down to the time and work BMW have put into it over the winter. It makes me optimistic for the rest of the season and looking forward to that already. Thanks to everybody involved, my team-mates and the entire team.”

Bill Auberlen (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM, 2nd place):

“It was a great finish. It is two years in a row we have finished second. Last year, we finished two and a half seconds behind, and this year Dirk drove it up there and got it within half a second. It was amazing. All the guys put their heads down and achieved the best possible result. Hats off to all these guys in the team as that is all we could do.”

Augusto Farfus (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM, 2nd place):

“That last stint was practically a qualifying stint, and one of the best days of my life. I got out there and then when I knew it was my last stint of the race I gave everything I had.”

Bruno Spengler (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM, 2nd place):

“My first 24-hour race in a racing car and I finished second. I am very, very happy about that. I had to learn a lot of things here – especially getting used to the cold tyres at night. There were also so many cars around and I had to try and pass them without getting into trouble. It was a great experience. I wish I had not done that little mistake trying to overtake. I guess that was a little bit of my sprint racer character trying to come out, but I still managed to get back on track and then it ended up well. Dirk had an amazing drive and was putting pressure on the Corvette in front of us, but unfortunately there was not enough time to overtake but he did great. It was an amazing experience and I really hope I can do this again.”

John Edwards (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM, 4th place):

“That last one was a triple stint so a bit longer than my first two, and actually it was green for most of it. I think I only had one full course yellow during that whole of it. That’s why I have been sweating a lot! We made up a couple of positions due to other people falling out. That’s all we knew we had to do at around midnight last night. It was kind of a frustrating position to be in at that point because you know your race is pretty much over when it comes to winning a watch. You know you have got to keep pushing because we made up two or three positions just by continuing to run. That will help us later on in the year for the championship.”

Lucas Luhr (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM, 4th place):

“First of all I have to say I am very proud of the improvements the whole team – the guys from BMW Motorsport, BMW Team RLL, and BMW of North America – have made since last year. It is still the same result, but we were ready to fight and ready to hunt. Our car had an accident with John, which was unfortunate but the other car also had a little off. Speed-wise we had improved a lot since last year and I am very proud to be part of it. Some days in racing it is just not your day, and unfortunately today it was not our day, but we are second and fourth and these are very important points for the manufacturer and for the team championship, so I think we can work with that and move on to Sebring.”

Jens Klingmann (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM, 4th place):

“It was my first race in the States and my first race in a GTLM, and it was really a beautiful experience. I think we did quite well apart from that little accident. At least we had the performance and the package is working and I am looking forward to doing another couple of races with this team, my team-mates and, of course, the BMW Z4 GTLM.”

Graham Rahal (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM, 4th place):

“As everybody knows in these sorts of races a lot of luck goes into it. Unfortunately, she wasn’t on our side today. I am disappointed we couldn’t be a little bit better, but the boys did a great job fixing the car and making up for the mistakes that were made, not on our part but by other guys hitting us. I am proud of our effort and hope we will be back next year to do a better job.”

BMW Team RLL at the Daytona 24 Hours Race

[G30 B58]

Photos are fantastic.

[cncmastr]

Nice shots!

[Curt2000]

I love the Z4 GT cars!

[tallshortguy]

That third or fourth to last I believe pit stop really killed them when they were in 1st. Still, had a chance to catch the C7 at the end after the yellow flag.

Z4's had good pace this year, much better in the straights than last year.

[EzequielR]

The Z4 GT is AWSOME!!

[hellrotm]

Congrats to Corvette racing for their Rolex 24 win.

[slalomfever]

what an exciting race!

[sirantsE90]

Originally Posted by slalomfever

what an exciting race!

It was. If it wasn't for the pit stop mistake they would have taken it. Bruno's off-roading brought some touring car style to it

[MDM]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Congrats to Corvette racing for their Rolex 24 win.

And they did it with a product that closely represents their road car! Hint Hint BMW ///M.

[turbo8765]

Originally Posted by MDM

And they did it with a product that closely represents their road car! Hint Hint BMW ///M.

BMW would be more likely to hybridize... I mean "electrify" the race car at this point.

It was a fantastic race. Miss the Speed coverage though.

Good to see Schrader racing again.

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by MDM

And they did it with a product that closely represents their road car! Hint Hint BMW ///M.

You do realize the C7.R has the 5.5L engine from the old C6.R car right? It is not the same or even based on the new 6.2 in the road car. That engine iirc is derived from the LS7. I'm assuming the engine in the Z4 GT3/GTE is what you're referring to.

Besides, the upcoming M6 GT3 and assuming GTE will use the 4.4 V8 in the road car.

[MDM]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

You do realize the C7.R has the 5.5L engine from the old C6.R car right? It is not the same or even based on the new 6.2 in the road car. That engine iirc is derived from the LS7. I'm assuming the engine in the Z4 GT3/GTE is what you're referring to.

Besides, the upcoming M6 GT3 and assuming GTE will use the 4.4 V8 in the road car.

This is true...however there are no road going V8 Z4s in production. At least the C7.R has a V8 as does the production car. The M6 GT3 will be much closer.

[turbo8765]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

You do realize the C7.R has the 5.5L engine from the old C6.R car right? It is not the same or even based on the new 6.2 in the road car. That engine iirc is derived from the LS7. I'm assuming the engine in the Z4 GT3/GTE is what you're referring to.

Besides, the upcoming M6 GT3 and assuming GTE will use the 4.4 V8 in the road car.

There is a lot of common ground among any recent small block Chevy V8. Particularly among those used in the vettes.

Chevy would use the 6.2 or 7.0 (likely the 6.2 for economy) but the regs cap displacement at 5.5L.

Anyone have info on the M6 GT3?

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by turbo8765

There is a lot of common ground among any recent small block Chevy V8. Particularly among those used in the vettes.

Chevy would use the 6.2 or 7.0 (likely the 6.2 for economy) but the regs cap displacement at 5.5L.

Anyone have info on the M6 GT3?

Common ground or not the 6.2 is part of the gen V small block architecture, not the same as the LS7.

I think they wanted the ease of sticking in the already proven 5.5L rather than develop the 6.2 given how quickly the C7.R came out after the road car. I think they could have gotten a waiver like the viper did for it's displacement or If not they could have decreased the 6.2's displacement like they did with the LS7.R

[VMRWheels]

That Z4

[M3 Esq]

Great results for BMW. Just finishing is an accomplishment within itself and to finish 2 and 4 is awesome. Congrats. Those corvettes are sick machines.

[monkawekrue]

congrats on the win gents. amazing photos

[DCG]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

Great results for BMW. Just finishing is an accomplishment within itself and to finish 2 and 4 is awesome. Congrats.

Congrats to the Team BMW. Did not get to watch any coverage, but the Z4's look nasty, mean and aggressive just the way I like them, wish all production M's looked as cool.

0.478 seconds away from 1st place, gees I go bananas. But that's counts as win for me anyway. The cars held up that is what is most important and made 2nd & 4th you can't ask for anything more. Great work and effort Team BMW & crew!

[gaijin]

Congrats BMW Team RLL. The racing was great. Enjoyed the two days track side for the race.

[SpencerMH]

Great result and it was my first time attending, a ton of fun to be out there seeing these teams working so hard.

[phrozen06]

If TUDOR had homologation rules BMW would still be racing the M3