IWSC: BMW M6 GTLM completes dress rehearsal in Sebring.
BMW Team RLL spent three test days at the Sebring International
Raceway preparing the BMW M6 GTLM for the second race of the IMSA
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), the iconic 12 Hours of
Sebring (US). BMW drivers Bill Auberlen (US), John Edwards (US), Lucas
Luhr (DE), Dirk Werner (DE) and Kuno Wittmer (CA) shared the driving
duties at the 5.955-kilometre circuit. Turner Motorsport was also in
action, testing the BMW M6 GT3, with which the team competes in the
GTD class of the IWSC. The 12 Hours of Sebring will take place on
18th/19th March.
Three questions for … Bill Auberlen.
Bill, what areas of the new car have you worked on during testing?
Bill Auberlen: “We worked on several areas. We fine-tuned the overall
package in order to further improve the BMW M6 GTLM and to make it as
reliable as possible. In addition, the test served us drivers to
further get acquainted with the size of the car and the central seat
position. You try to understand how many millimetres are left before
you hit the curb or leave the track. As a driver, you are always
fine-tuning on that.”
What do you specifically like about Sebring?
Auberlen: “Sebring is my most favourite circuit next to Long Beach.
For me, the 12-hour race is the best endurance event in the world and
it is the most historical sports car race in the United States. The
best of the best from the world come here to compete. Our class is so
competitive, so if you are within the top three you are doing great.”
What do you expect from the 12-hour race?
Auberlen: “We have won this race quite a few times and have often
been on the podium. If we take what we learned from Daytona and
improve on it, then we can aim for a top result in Sebring.”
—
Australian GT: BMW returns to Australia after 20-year absence.
Next weekend, the waiting is over: the Australian GT Championship
begins with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide (AU). BMW Team SRM will make
its race debut with the BMW M6 GT3, marking the racing return of BMW
to the Australian continent after 20 years. Back in the 1990s, the BMW
318i and BMW 320i won numerous races in the Australian Super Touring
Championship. BMW competed in this series with a works presence
between 1994 and 1997, winning eight of a possible 12 titles during
this period. Now team principal Steve Richards (NZ), a motor racing
legend in Australia, will compete together with Max Twigg (AU) and
looks to continue BMW’s success story with the BMW M6 GT3. “I have
never been that excited before,” said Richards. “I have raced many new
race cars before, but the BMW M6 GT3 is the absolute highlight of my
career.” The final livery of the car will be revealed this coming week
in Adelaide.