Munich. Following the first BMW M8 GTE victory and a third place at the previous round at Virginia International Raceway (USA), BMW Team RLL heads to this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship round at Laguna Seca Raceway (USA) with a lot of momentum. Team Principal Bobby Rahal (USA) and his squad aim to extend the success streak on the iconic Californian circuit within sight of Monterey Bay.
It was an historic moment when the #25 BMW M8 GTE crossed the line at Virginia International Raceway on 19th August when Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Alexander Sims (GBR) celebrated the maiden victory for the all-new GT car. Their team-mates Jesse Krohn (FIN) and John Edwards (USA) completed the success in the #24 sister car by finishing third and thus securing the maiden double-podium for the BMW M8 GTE.
Laguna Seca has seen two BMW victories in recent years. The BMW Z4 GTLM won in 2015 with Edwards and Lucas Luhr (GER) behind the wheel and the BMW M6 GTLM was victorious last year. Edwards shared the 2017 win with Martin Tomczyk (GER). This year, the two BMW Team RLL M8 GTEs are driven by De Phillippi/Sims (#25) and Krohn/Edwards (#24). In addition, Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley (both USA) will team up in the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3, again in the GTD class, at Laguna Seca.
Quotes ahead of the Laguna Seca race:
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL): “As a team, or for me as a driver, historically, we have had great success at Laguna Seca. Last year’s win with John Edwards and Martin Tomczyk was a tremendous strategic victory for us and John did a fabulous job getting the maximum mileage that was necessary to realise that strategy. I have to say it was probably one of the most satisfying wins I have ever had as a driver or a team owner so we look forward to returning to Laguna Seca, especially given the performance of the BMW M8 GTE at VIR. We hope to be in the hunt for the win again.”
Connor De Phillippi (#25 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca has always had a special place in my racing career since it is the first ever track I drove a race car on. It is one of my top three favourites on our calendar and it definitely is one of the most iconic circuits in North America. Coming off our first win at our last event, I’m looking forward to keeping this momentum rolling and aiming for another one at my second ‘home’ race of the season on California soil.”
Alexander Sims (#25 BMW M8 GTE): “After we secured the maiden win for the BMW M8 GTE last time out at VIR I’m hopeful that we can get the car dialled in to the very different characteristics of Laguna Seca. It’s a wonderful circuit that’s fun to drive but will pose plenty of challenges for everyone. We need to work hard to optimise the car and our driving to be on the front foot come race day.”
Jesse Krohn (#24 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca is an amazing track that even non-racing fans know about. The team has done a great job over the last few months and the results were starting to show at VIR. I am confident we can keep a similar performance level at Laguna Seca and I am looking forward to the weekend.”
John Edwards (#24 BMW M8 GTE): “Laguna Seca has treated me very well in the past! We had a win last year in a black BMW M6 GTLM and we’re coming back with a black BMW M8 GTE after a double podium at VIR so we have great momentum. I think we have a good shot at the first win for the #24 car this weekend. The GTLM field has been super-tight the past few races so it will definitely be an intense fight.”
