The win was the 14th for the BMW Team RLL programme since 2009 and the first for the BMW M6 GTLM. The driver duo completed 186 laps of the classic Watkins Glen International circuit during the six-hour race, finishing 3.156 seconds ahead of the number 67 Ford GT. BMW Motorsport driver Sims celebrated his first sports car win in North America while Auberlen added another record to his illustrious career.

           Bill Auberlen, driver No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM (P2): “It is a long time coming for this game and this car. We have to be very happy for that but the weird thing is that BMW Team RLL is so geared to win, that is the most important goal. When you get second you still want to be on top. However, we have to smile and hold our heads high. We covered two-thirds of the podium just not the top step this weekend.”

“It's been a challenging year,” said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “However, if you look back at how we did at Long Beach last year – being on pole with Bill, with the car in its third race at that stage, the race was very positive for us.  I would like to think that we can repeat that performance this year.

BMW has revealed the driver and team allocations for its 21-driver Nürburgring 24 Hours effort, which includes entries from BMW Team Schnitzer, ROWE Racing and Schubert Motorsport.

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2:34 PM, Saturday Jan.