Munich. BMW M Team RLL and its BMW M Hybrid V8 racing cars are
well prepared for the coming weekend. The Six Hours of The Glen at
Watkins Glen (USA) marks the fifth round of the 2023 IMSA
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) and the third
endurance race of the season. After already having claimed two
podium finishes with the new BMW M Hybrid V8 in the GTP class at
Sebring and Long Beach (both USA), the team aims for more success at
Watkins Glen.
The number 25 car will be driven by Connor De Phillippi (USA) and
Nick Yelloly (GBR), while Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Philipp Eng (AUT)
share duties in the number 24 BMW M Hybrid V8. A recent two-day test
with both cars and all four drivers at the classic Watkins Glen
circuit resulted in the engineering staff and drivers eager to return
for the six-hour race. Last week, the crew finished their preparations
with pit stop practice at BMW M Team RLL’s new headquarters in
Zionsville, Indiana (USA). Prior to this year’s switch to the GTP
class, BMW M Team RLL posted six podium finishes at the Watkins Glen
Six Hour race with BMW M’s GT class cars, including a victory in 2017.
The GTD and GTD Pro classes will see three BMW M4 GT3 entries. Bryan
Sellers and Madison Snow (both USA) continue to lead the GTD class
points with the number 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3. Turner
Motorsport brings the GTD class #96 BMW M4 GT3 for Michael Dinan,
Robby Foley, and Patrick Gallagher (all USA); and the number 97 GTD
Pro entry for Bill Auberlen, Chandler Hull, and John Edwards (all
USA). In the last IMSA endurance race, the Twelve Hours of Sebring,
the two BMW GTD entries of Paul Miller Racing and Turner Motorsport
finished first and second respectively.
The six-hour race at Watkins Glen gets started at 10:40 local time
(16:40 CEST) on Sunday, 25th June.
Quotes ahead of the Watkins Glen race.
Bobby Rahal (BMW M Team RLL Team Principal): “I think
everyone knows what I think of Watkins Glen. It is one of those
historic challenging circuits that separates the men from the boys. In
fact, I had my first Formula One race there in 1978. Our BMW team has
had reasonably good success there. This year, with the GTP cars, it
should be a very exciting weekend for the fans.”
Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Watkins
Glen is one of my top favorites on our IMSA calendar. The combination
of speed and grip allows us to really unleash the potential of these
GTP cars. With that said, it’s typically the hottest and most physical
track on the schedule, so all of us will need to bring our A-game for
the six hour event. I’m excited to get on track and feel we have what
it takes to battle for our first victory.”
Nick Yelloly (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Back at another
USA classic event! Looking forward to getting in again at Watkins
Glen, having had my first experience of the track a few weeks ago I
can see what the hype was about. The high speed flowing nature of the
track is a joy to drive.”
Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “I’m really
looking forward to Watkins Glen. It’s a track that demands everything
from a driver. We were there recently for testing, and we’re on a very
good path. The car felt great, and driving the BMW M Hybrid V8 on this
track is incredibly enjoyable. The team has done a fantastic job, and
I hope we can secure another podium for the team, as well as the first
one of the season for Augusto and myself.”
Augusto Farfus (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8): “Our test at
Watkins Glen went very well. The high speed and high grip of the
circuit suits our BMW M Hybrid V8.”
