BMW Team RLL launches the 2015 USCC campaign in Daytona.

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The engines are running again.
Ready to roll: BMW Team RLL launches the 2015 USCC campaign in Daytona.


Jan 20, 2015 by BMW Motorsport



BMW Team RLL will begin its seventh consecutive season of sports car racing competition at this weekend’s 53rd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona celebrating a very special anniversary. The race marks the 40th anniversary of BMW’s first race in the US and BMW Team RLL will compete with the numbers 24 and 25 on its two BMW Z4 GTLM machines in honour of the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL racing cars that debuted at the same race four decades ago.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said: “We are looking forward to an exciting USCC season in 2015, in which BMW Team RLL will once again fly our flag in the GTLM class. Our mission is to return to winning ways with the BMW Z4 GTLM and strong drivers, and build on the great successes we have celebrated in North America in the past. After all, the 40th anniversary makes this a very special year for BMW of North America. We want to do everything in our power to ensure that we also have plenty of reason to celebrate from a sporting point of view.”

“Forty years ago, while BMW of North America was still in its infancy, BMW’s first national marketing programme in the United States was to go racing," commented Ludwig Willisch, Chairman and CEO of BMW of North America, LLC. “BMW Motorsport introduced two BMW 3.0 CSL racing cars in North America for the 1975 IMSA season at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Those cars became legends and laid the foundation for the success BMW has enjoyed in the past four decades, where today we are the number-one luxury brand.”

2015 is the third season of competition for the BMW Z4 GTLM and this year two new chassis have been constructed and tested extensively at two pre-season tests at the Daytona International Speedway.

For the Rolex 24 at Daytona, BMW has assembled a team of stellar BMW drivers that include current BMW DTM stars Augusto Farfus and Bruno Spengler. Spengler will be having his first 24-hour race start ever. Farfus and Spengler will co-drive the number 25 car with season-long drivers Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner, the latter pair having driven together in 2012 in a BMW M3 GT. Jens Klingmann and Graham Rahal will join John Edwards and Lucas Luhr in the number 24 BMW Z4 GTLM. Edwards and Luhr will drive the car for the entire season.

With the addition of the experienced Luhr, BMW Team RLL includes two of the top-three drivers on the all-time North American sports car racing victories list. Luhr stands third with 51 victories and Bill Auberlen stands second with 53. Both are chasing Scott Pruett who has 59 wins.

At the Roar Before:




Preview and Quotes from Drivers:

Preview quotes prior to the Daytona 24 Hours:

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):

“The two toughest races of the championship are the first two of the season. With Daytona being a 24-hour race, it certainly can end up playing a major role in how you do in the championship. The odds are probably against you to finish, let alone do well, so the first thing is that you’ve got to really do everything you can to make sure you get to the end. And then, of course, where you are at the end can make a big difference. Last year with only a couple of hours to go we were looking pretty good; like we had a chance to win the race. And then we had one car lose a wheel bearing and the other car had to make a stop to replace the wheel bearing as a safety precaution, so we went from having a chance to win the race to ending up with second place as our best finish, and fourth. It was a pretty good performance overall and, to be honest, probably better than we thought we would do, because we were clearly not the fastest car. But even with the one problem we spent a fairly small amount of time in the pits, and that’s the key. It sounds simplistic, but whoever spends the least amount of time in the pits is pretty much going to win the thing. We have to approach it in the same manner this year. With two new BMW Z4 GTLM cars, that are probably a little stronger than last year and a little better overall, and having had a good test, I think there is a good chance for us to do well.”

Bill Auberlen (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“The level of effort for the programme this year has been extraordinary. Both new cars are extremely well prepared and we’ve had two very good tests. We do have a few drivers who are new to Daytona, so I’m trying to be the go-to-guy that any of them can come to ask about the smallest issue to ensure our line-up will be as well prepared as the BMW Z4 GTLM. I am extremely proud to continue to race for BMW, especially as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW Motorsport’s first race in the States at this year’s Rolex 24.”

Augusto Farfus (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“I feel a very special connection with Daytona, because my very first 24-hour race was here in 2003. I like the track, the atmosphere, everything. Last year was the first year for the BMW Z4 here and this year we have a much higher level of preparation to add to our experience. Everything feels like it is pointing in the right direction.”

Bruno Spengler (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“This will be my first 24-hour race ever and I am very pleased I will be doing it at Daytona with BMW Team RLL. To add this race to my DTM calendar this season is something very special. My first few laps during our test in December were quite an experience, because it was the first time I’d driven on such extreme banking. The Rolex 24 will be a new challenge for me and I’m always looking for that.”

Dirk Werner (No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM):

“I’ve competed at the Rolex 24 quite a few times, but the race remains an open bill. I’ve come close to the podium, but have not reached it yet. I’m very pleased to be starting another full season with BMW Team RLL. I love racing in the States, because this is where I really learned sports car racing. I want to give my best this year and my first opportunity is the Rolex 24.”

John Edwards (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“We had a great race going here last year, but a wheel bearing failure cost us a better finish. That is one of those frustrating things that can happen in a 24-hour race, so I do feel we have something to make up for this year. Daytona may not be a track where we have the pace of our competitors, but an endurance race like the Rolex 24 has many more facets than only speed. There are ten races this season, not 11 like last year, so every race has increased significance – especially these long ones. Not finishing is not an option.”

Jens Klingmann (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“I’ve had some experience in 24-hour races in Europe, but this will be my first Rolex 24 at Daytona – in fact, this is only the second time I’ve ever been in the States. I love the atmosphere over here and am enjoying every second. I watched last year’s race on television and I’ve always wanted to race here. I’m here to support the team and help them gain points towards the championship.”

Lucas Luhr (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):

“This will be my first race in the States for BMW and I’m really looking forward to it. The Rolex 24 can be a challenging race, because you have a very long time in the dark and there are quite a lot of cars. The last time I raced at Daytona I was racing in a prototype car, so I was a little worried that the first time they went flying by I would be a bit sad, but that was not the case at all. The BMW Z4 GTLM is so much fun to drive, the GTLM class is so competitive and you have to push so hard I don’t miss the prototypes at all. The only thing is you have to keep an eye on the mirrors.”

Graham Rahal (No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“This is my second year at the Rolex 24 in the BMW Z4 GTLM. Everything feels just that much more comfortable and you get up to speed just that much quicker. If we can run as strongly as we did last year and not have a failure we have a very good chance. The team has worked very hard putting together a very good car. Having won this race overall in a BMW powered prototype it would be great to add a GTLM class victory.”



HERE'S A COUPLE EXCERPTS FROM THE BMW PRESSKIT

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if the presskit photos are too small you should be able to click on them to make it bigger

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Additional Daytona Threads:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1079579

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1077269

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1079119


Smoky pitstop from the Roar Before

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For the guys not meeting up at the BMW Corral, there's the rest of us on our sofas in front of our flatscreens. Here's our info!

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Keeping true to its name as the sanctioning body of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) will spotlight a robust contingent of international drivers, teams and manufacturers on the world stage for the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25.

Global television coverage of the Rolex 24 will be available in more than 300 million homes across more than 130 countries. In addition to television coverage, IMSA TV on IMSA.com will offer worldwide streaming of TUDOR Championship qualifying, as well as the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge season-opening BMW Performance 200 on Friday, Jan. 23.

A broadcast stream for all 24 hours of the Rolex 24 will be available to viewers outside of the United States with audio from the new IMSA Radio, via a partnership with Radio Show Limited. IMSA Radio also will provide live audio coverage of each practice, qualifying and race session on IMSA TV and RadioLeMans.com.

Domestically, viewers can stream IMSA Radio and on-board cameras throughout the race, as well as access the broadcast stream during the overnight hours from 10 p.m. ET through 7 a.m. ET.

"The Rolex 24 At Daytona is truly one of the world’s most iconic endurance sports car racing events, as evidenced by the melting pot of drivers, teams and manufacturers entered for this year’s event," said David Pettit, IMSA VP of Marketing. "More than half of the Rolex 24 field was born outside of the United States, each bringing its own unique fan base. We are proud to give fans from those countries the opportunity to follow all of the action from Daytona International Speedway, whether it be practice, qualifying or the race itself via worldwide television distribution and IMSA TV."

Of the 196 drivers entered for the Rolex 24, 117 drivers from 27 different countries were born outside of the United States. In addition, eight of IMSA’s 10 official automotive partners have world headquarters outside of North America.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona also is the opening round of the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup. The Patrón Endurance Cup allows international competitors the opportunity to race against full-time TUDOR Championship teams and drivers in a four-race competition that includes the series’ four marquee endurance events: the Rolex 24, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida (March 21), Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen (June 28) and Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta (Oct. 3).

More than 15 hours of live FOX Sports coverage will be available to viewers in the United States beginning with a two-hour FOX broadcast network beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Jan. 24. It is the second consecutive year that the Rolex 24 telecast has opened on the broadcast channel, which is available in approximately 115 million homes in the United States.

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1st practice:
# 25 first in class
# 24 sixth.


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Don't forget guys about the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup, the "race within a race" will award points as follows:
Points are awarded at the six-hour, 12-hour and 18-hour marks in addition to the finish. Five points go to the winner of each segment, with four for second, three for third, and two for all other competitors." and "Points are scored in three segments at both the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida on March 21 and the season-ending Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda at Road Atlanta on Oct. 3. The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International on June 28 will award points at the midway point and finish."

“The Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup is an awesome honor; combining prestige, grit, endurance and a storied history that marks each one of the four races comprising the championship,” said Bill Sweedler, driver of the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 Italia and part of last year’s winning team in GT Daytona (GTD). “To win, drivers, pit crew and engineers have to think conservatively, act aggressively, but race like it is a sprint over a combined 52 hours. As champions last year, we will bring that same strategy as Scuderia Corsa endeavors to win in 2015.”

[Patrón]

thanks for putting this together for us.

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Originally Posted by Patrón

thanks for putting this together for us.

No prob!

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Hindman Paces CTSC Practice 3 at Daytona

January 22, 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/h...-3-at-daytona/

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Practice 3 was above with my Fall-Line/Hindman post above, this was practice # 2 results
Unfortunately, BMW Team RLL was down in the early 20's overall but 5th and 7th in class

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Spengler's first 24 hour race




Aston Martin

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This is the F30 328i of BimmerWorld Racing at Daytona last week

BimmerWorld Racing Jason Briedis BMW F30 328i

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This is from the Roar before, but is some testing to whet your appetite further

Classes explained:

[E9TOU]

Damn practice 3 doesn't look too promising for BMW in any of the classes. OTOH it's great to see a non-DP at the top of the charts.

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You know it's race day when there is a driver's meeting

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Fall-Line on track

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BMW TEAM RLL QUALIFIED 4th AND 7th FOR 53rd ROLEX 24!!

Tune in this afternoon!

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Today's schedule:

Practice 1 - TUDOR Championship 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ET
Practice 3 - Ferrari Challenge 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM ET
Practice 3 - Continental Tire Challenge 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM ET
Practice 2 - TUDOR Championship 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Qualifying - Continental Tire Challenge (ST) 2:00 PM - 2:15 PM ET
Qualifying - Continental Tire Challenge (GS) 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM ET
Qualifying 1 - Ferrari Challenge 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET
Qualifying - TUDOR Championship (GTD) 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM ET
Qualifying - TUDOR Championship (GTLM) 4:05 PM - 4:20 PM ET
Qualifying - TUDOR Championship (PC) 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM ET
Qualifying - TUDOR Championship (P) 4:50 PM - 5:05 PM ET
Practice 3 - TUDOR Championship 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET..

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-- Reserved post spot for 2015 BMW Performance 200 Race Report --

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2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona Qualifying

2015 GTLM Qualifying

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Viper Crash