The long break is over and BMW Team RLL heads to new territory in Watkins Glen for round five of the series
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Munich (DE), 25th June 2014. BMW Team RLL will contest its first race at the classic Watkins Glen International circuit this weekend at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen in round five of the 2014 United SportsCar Championship.
The series restarts following a seven-week break for teams competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FR). BMW Team RLL drivers Bill Auberlen (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB) currently lead the GTLM driver points and their number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM leads the team points standings. John Edwards (US) and Dirk Müller (DE), drivers of the number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM, stand sixth in driver points and eighth in team points. BMW is second in GTLM Manufacturer points, only two points behind Porsche.
In preparation for the race on Sunday, the team held a two-day test at the 3.37-mile, 11-turn road course on 21st and 22nd May with drivers Auberlen, Müller and Priaulx present. Completing a total of 207 laps, the critical test gave both Müller and Priaulx their first laps of the circuit that was home of the US Grand Prix from 1961 to 1980. Edwards did not test, having gained experience at the Glen in the recent Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge competition.
In past years, BMW teams have had success at Watkins Glen and the six-hour race. Most recently Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates raced to the overall win in 2010 with the number 01 BMW Riley and, in 2004, Auberlen and Boris Said took the GT win in a BMW Team PTG M3. Seventeen years earlier, in 1987, the first generation BMW M3 scored a one-two finish in the Firehawk Endurance Championship. Bobby Rahal, Team Principal, drove his very first Formula One race at WGI in 1978, finishing 12th. He also drove to two top-five finishes in International Race of Champions (IROC) in 1986-1988.
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):
“It’s exciting to be back at Watkins Glen, which is certainly one of the crown jewels of racing circuits in this country. It’s the first race for BMW Team RLL at Watkins Glen and we’re looking forward to it. We tested there recently, although the weather didn’t totally cooperate. There are a lot of high speed corners, which we’re pleased about, and there is a long straightaway, which we’re not so pleased about, but just to be back at Watkins Glen is important for BMW, our team and sports car racing. It’s going to be a tough race for sure, but it’s such a great circuit. A great-handling car can definitely make a difference there, so I’m hopeful we can take advantage of our strengths.”
Bill Auberlen (Number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“This has been one of those amazing years and they are very hard to come by. We have managed to be on the podium all but once in the most competitive racing series around and it's all due to the incredible BMW Z4 GTLM, BMW Team RLL and Andy Priaulx. With some luck we can extend our championship lead coming out of Watkins Glen, which is one of the most incredible tracks in the world. It's going to be a gruelling six-hour fight to victory lane and we are more than prepared to get it done. I'm really looking forward to Watkins Glen and giving it our all.”
Andy Priaulx (Number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“I’m very much looking forward to getting back to the Glen after what was a great test a few weeks ago, and crucially an ideal opportunity for me to learn this very challenging circuit. I would say that The Glen should suit our car; it’s a circuit that requires a good balance in order to fully commit to the high-speed corners. This is where the BMW Z4 GTLM is strong. Again, like all the races so far the year, we need to keep our head and score points and keep building our championship campaign. It’s going to be a long race with many cars on track and staying out of trouble will be crucial.”
John Edwards (Number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“Watkins Glen is one of my favourite tracks in the country, and I'm really excited to be going there this year with the BMW Z4 GTLM. The car has quite a bit more downforce than anything else I've driven at Watkins Glen, so it should be an intense race. The BMW Z4 GTLM's strength also lies in carrying momentum, so it is a good thing that there aren't any slow corners leading on to long straights here. Dirk and I have had some bad luck in a couple races this season, which has put us behind in points, so we're ready to rebound and win some races the rest of this year, hopefully starting this weekend.”
Dirk Müller (Number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“I’m looking forward to a great weekend with a big six-hour race. Watkins Glen is an incredibly quick and challenging circuit. We’ve had enough time to get ready after our break and all the batteries are charged and ready to go!”
BMW Group
Matthew Russell
Tel.: +1-201-307-3783
E-mail:
matthew.russell@bmwna.com