BMW M8 GTE masters debut race in Daytona

Both cars showed great reliability and managed to complete the tough #endurance classic without major technical issues in the maiden race appearance for #BMW Motorsport’s new GT flagship car. No other new #BMW GT race car has ever been more reliable on its debut. This was the good news for all involved at #BMW Motorsport and in #BMW Team RLL. Considering the given Balance of Performance (BoP), it was obvious, even before the start of the race, that the two #BMW M8 GTE cars would be out of contention for top positions. More important was the fact that the new car was able to master the challenge of a 24-hour race from the word go.

“Our #BMW M8 GTE successfully completed its baptism of fire here at #Daytona,” said #BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “To finish such a tough debut race with both cars after 24 hours without major technical problems is something we can be more than proud of. Everything has been said with regards to the reasons for the gap in performance compared to the competition. The car couldn’t show its true potential yet. That’s why #BMW and IMSA will continue their productive and open talks and have agreed to find an appropriate BoP assessment for the upcoming events starting with Sebring, allowing the #BMW M8 GTE to show its true performance for the benefit of the series, #BMW and all of our fans.”

Marquardt added: “As a matter of fact we sent a great GT car into action that holds huge potential for the future. Everyone at #BMW Team RLL and at #BMW Motorsport gave their all to get the most out of this race under these difficult conditions. In the coming race appearances we are set to be stronger, and we want to fight for top positions. The #BMW M8 GTE has got all it takes to do so in any case. Many team members in Munich and at #BMW Team RLL in North America have worked very hard in preparation for this race over the past months. My compliments go to everyone involved. This was an impressive team effort displaying a lot of passion. I’m particularly happy about the strong debut race of the #BMW M4 GT4 in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. The fact that our teams managed to finish second and fourth in the first race of the season shows that we are absolutely on the right track with this car.”

BMW and IMSA have been working together for years in a very positive and constructive manner. The BoP system is an integral part of global sports car #racing including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. #BMW and IMSA will continue productive, open talks and have agreed to find an appropriate BoP assessment for the upcoming events starting with Sebring (USA), allowing the #BMW M8 GTE to show its performance for the benefit of the series, #BMW and the fans. 

The spectators were treated to a kind of unusual season opener. The anticipated rain didn’t come on Sunday. Only a heavy shower at the start of the sixth hour brought extra action in the pit lane. In addition, many teams suffered punctures over the course of the 24 hours of #racing. Apart from that, relatively few incidents occurred, with only four full-course cautions. Never before were more laps completed at #Daytona than in this year’s edition of the race.

In the sixth hour, the four drivers of car number 25 suffered a blow, when the #BMW M8 GTE’s right front tyre burst after Auberlen hit debris on the track. Following 30 minutes of repair works, the #BMW NA Brand Ambassador was able to rejoin, 17 laps behind the leaders. A strong result was impossible after that early setback. More repair pit stops followed as a result of that incident. Ultimately the number 25 #BMW M8 GTE took the chequered flag in ninth after 731 laps.

The drivers of car number 24 delivered a consistent and flawless performance, trying to get the maximum out of the race under the given circumstances. Final-stint driver Edwards crossed the line in seventh.

Difficult race for Turner – Strong US debut for the #BMW M4 GT4.

BMW was also represented in the GTD class. The number 96 #BMW M6 GT3, driven by Martin Tomczyk (GER), Jens Klingmann (GER), Mark Kvamme (USA), Don Yount (USA) and Cameron Lawrence (USA), completed a total of 733 laps. After several unscheduled pit stops, the Turner Motorsport had to make do with 14^th position in class. 

The #BMW drivers in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC) also kicked off their 2018 season in #Daytona – and they did so in style. The new #BMW M4 GT4 enjoyed an outstanding race debut. The number 82 car finished runner-up in the #BMW #endurance Challenge. James Clay and Tyler Cook (both USA) fought back brilliantly for BimmerWorld #racing from 19^th place on the grid to climb into second place over the final few laps. The second #BMW M4 GT4 in the race also made good progress through the field. Toby Grahovec, Jason Hart and Mike Vess (all USA) from Classic #BMW team started the race from 34^th place, but then produced a fantastic performance to finish fourth, only narrowly missing out on another podium for #BMW. In the Street Tuner class, BimmerWorld Racing’s Devin Jones and Nick Galante (both USA) converted pole position to a dominant class victory in their #BMW 328i.