The results for BMW Team RLL in today’s Continental Tire Sports Car Showcase at Road America belie an effort that came within minutes of delivering the first victory for the BMW M8 GTE. Taking over the lead on lap 42 with one hour remaining, Connor De Phillippi, driving the No. 25 BMW M8 GTE, looked to be a winner until minutes from the checkered flag.
Having finished runner-up last year, luck once again deserted ROWE Racing.
John Edwards, with Ohio relatives anxiously watching, driving the #24 BMW took pole position for the Ohio-based Team RLL in the GT Le Mans class. Edwards was followed closely by Nick Tandy’s Porsche 911 RSR and Alexander Sims in the sister #25 BMW M8 GTE.
Munich. With a fifth place in the GTLM class, the #24 BMW M8 GTE of John Edwards (USA) and Jesse Krohn (FIN) gifted BMW Team RLL a conciliatory result in the third race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
At the classic 12 Hours of Sebring (USA), the new BMW M8 GTE celebrated its maiden podium finish. After 328 laps, Alexander Sims (GBR) finished round two of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship second in the GTLM class at the wheel of car number 25. He had shared driving duties with fellow BMW Team RLL drivers Connor De Phillippi and Bill Auberlen (both USA), leading the pack in some phases of the race.
The number 24 BMW M8 GTE – driven by Jesse Krohn (FIN), John Edwards (USA) and Nick Catsburg (NED) – had to retire in the final hour of the race.
Daytona. The racing career of the new BMW M8 GTE officially kicked off at the season opener of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Daytona (USA) this weekend. At the Daytona International Speedway, Jesse Krohn (FIN), John Edwards (USA), Nick Catsburg (NED) and Augusto Farfus (BRA) finished seventh in GTLM class after 773 laps, sharing driving duties at the wheel of the number 24 car.
It is easy to know why the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has become the most anticipated season in series history.
The new BMW M8 GTE will be in action in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) in 2018. In the hands of BMW Team RLL and team principal Bobby Rahal (USA), the new car will make its race debut on the final weekend in January, at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Americans Connor De Phillippi and John Edwards will contest the entire season at the wheel of the two cars. De Phillippi is a newcomer to the BMW Motorsport family.
