BMW MOTORSPORT.
ALL FOR ONE THING: DRIVING PERFORMANCE.
It goes a little something like this: when BMW started building performance vehicles that would become predecessors of the Ultimate Driving Machine®, it also decided to thrillingly strut across the fine line between road and raceway. Now, over seven decades after the inception of BMW Motorsport, our newest lineup of high–powered, heavy hitters continues to elude the competition with a completed ALMS hat trick and GRAND–AM double sweep in 2011.
Proof that, when it comes to podium finishes, we like to be redundant. It's all for one thing: driving performance. Brace yourself for the 2012 season of the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am Road Racing.
Meet the Team
- Team RLL Racing
- Jim Prescott
- Jay O' Connell
- Bobby Rahal
- Bill Auberlen
- Dirk Müller
- Joey Hand
- Jörg Müller
RAHAL LETTERMAN LANIGAN RACING
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLLR), based in Hilliard, Ohio, has been competing for over a decade. Co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner, Bobby Rahal, and CBS LATE SHOW host, David Letterman, the team has compiled 20 victories, 30 pole finishes, one series championship (Bobby Rahal in CART, 1992), and an Indianapolis 500 championship (Buddy Rice, 2004).
In 2010, the team joined BMW of North America to race the M3 Coupe as the BMW Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team in the American Le Mans Series. During the 2010 season, the team took home two ALMS championships. They achieved even greater success in 2011, completing an ALMS hat trick and a GRAND–AM double sweep.
Team Website
Jim Prescott
To oversee the BMW Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team, Bobby Rahal chose longtime right-hand man, and childhood friend, Jim Prescott. Prescott previously directed the high profile Toyota Championship Program, which included driver Danica Patrick, and acted as Rahal's crew chief for 16 of his 17 CART seasons.
Jay O'Connell
As technical director for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Jay O'Connell will continue his success in open-wheel and sports car racing by strengthening the operations of the ALMS team engineering department and its programs.
After graduating from Cornell University in 1988 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, O'Connell worked with Ford Racing CART and Jaguar Racing Formula 1 until 2002. O'Connell also redesigned the Panoz LMGT2 chassis, which won the 12 Hours of Sebring, and headed a team of 25 engineers working on the 2007 Shelby GT500 as SVT Chief Vehicle Engineer for the Ford Motor Company.
Bobby Rahal
Robert 'Bobby' Woodward Rahal has established himself as a legend in the world of American auto racing as both a team owner and driver, winning three Indy Car championships and the 1986 Indianapolis 500. He added to that legacy in 2004 by winning the Indy 500 as a team owner, becoming the second person to ever win the race as both.
As a driver, Rahal raced in Indy Car, Can-Am, Formula One and NASCAR. Rahal was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2004.
Bill Auberlen
Last year, Auberlen contested his 250th race in an M3 and not only represented Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series, but also lined up successfully in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge–with BMW, of course.
Auberlen claimed his first victory for the brand in 1997 when he won the Drivers' title in the IMSA GTS-3 with Team PTG in a BMW M3. This win would prequel his success at endurance classics like Daytona and Sebring, where he won the GT class at both circuits in 1997 and 1998.
In 2004, he also set a record in the Grand-Am Series by winning six straight races before going on to claim the GT championship at the wheel of an M3, yet again. In 1999 and 2000, Auberlen successfully competed for BMW Motorsport at the wheel of a BMW V12 LMR prototype.
Co-driving with Joey Hand in 2009, Tommy Milner in 2010 and Dirk Werner this season, Auberlen has underlined his position as one of the world's best sports car endurance drivers by finishing third in the GT Driver points with both Milner and Werner. In 2011, he and Werner co-drove to five podiums, including runner-up finishes at both Sebring and Road America.
Dirk Müller
In GT racing, Dirk Müller is regarded as one of the best in the world. And he didn't have to wait long for his first big title: Müller won the GT class in the 2000 American Le Mans Series, and became a BMW works driver the following year. He claimed one victory with BMW at ALMS before switching to touring car racing in 2002.
In 2007 Müller returned to the endurance circuit and immediately won the FIA GT Championship with Ferrari. When BMW of North America was planning its ALMS comeback for 2009, Müller was the most logical choice as driver.
His fine performances were a crucial factor in winning both the Team and Manufacturer titles in 2010. In 2011, Müller and Hand shared three victories and an additional three podium finishes to clinch the year's GT Driver championship and Team and Manufacturer titles for a second season.
Joey Hand
Motorsport is a family tradition in the Hand household. His father made a name for himself as a successful stock car driver. Soon after, Joey would launch his career in karting before taking a step up to single–seater racing.
2004 brought a new start for BMW on the GT racing scene. Hand ended his debut season in the Grand–Am Series with one win and six podium finishes. After a stint with Panoz, Hand returned to BMW in 2009. Together with Auberlen he helped the team to its first victory in the GT class, a pole position, and the fastest lap in Mid-Ohio.
Hand enjoyed a year of firsts in 2011. Starting with an overall win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 32-year old Californian added a 12 Hours of Sebring victory with BMW teammates Dirk Müller and Andy Priaulx. Hand and Müller would go on to two more GT wins and an additional three podiums, shared at the ALMS GT Driver's championship. Hand also earned his first start at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third with Müller and Priaulx.
Jörg Müller
Throughout his career, Jörg Müller has regularly proven to possess the qualities that constitute a top-class endurance driver. This year, he aims to draw on his considerable experience to celebrate further success in GT racing alongside BMW Team RLLR in the American Le Mans Series for 2012.
Earlier, Müller gained experience with other manufacturers, competing in the 24-hour race at Daytona (US) and in two 24-hour races in Spa-Francorchamps. In 2000 he was able to drive the BMW V12 LMR, with which BMW had won the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours and two ALMS wins. In 2001 Müller won the GT class at the wheel of a BMW M3 GTR. But most recently, in 2010, he played a crucial role in the victorious return of BMW Motorsport to the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
- Team Turner
- Paul Dalla Lana
- Bill Auberlen
Turner Motorsport
Turner Motorsport is one of the largest, independent BMW performance–tuning facilities in North America, which also runs a production car racing team out of Amesbury, Massachusetts. In addition to the sales of performance parts and accessories for BMW vehicles, Turner Motorsport is active in American Grand-Am Racing, competing in both the Continental Tire Challenge and the Rolex Series with four BMW M3 Coupes.
To date, they are five-time champions in the World Challenge, two-time Speed World Challenge Touring Car champions, winners of the 2006 Grand Am Cup GS and ST Driver and Team Championships, and 2007 Grand Am Cup ST champions.
Turner Motorsport was the first team to win dual GS and ST driver and team championships in the same season.
Team Website
Paul Dalla Lana
After beginning a racing career in 2008 with Mobil 1 GT Sprints, Paul Dalla Lana went on to victories at the Virginia International Raceway, with three top 10 finishes the following year. By 2010, he competed in nine of ten Grand Sport Races and had a top five finish at Barber Motorsports Park in the seat of Turner Motorsport's No. 96 BMW M3.
Yet 2011 would prove to be Dalla Lana's most successful year, with back-to-back wins at Homestead-Miami and Barber, and a Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge championship. There, Dalla Lana became the first GRAND–AM driver (with Bill Auberlen) to win two races in one day at Homestead-Miami.
As a result, Dalla Lana finished off his year with one more prestigious award: BMW's 50th Sports Trophy, given annually to their top privateer driver.
Bill Auberlen
Last year, Auberlen contested his 250th race in an M3 and not only represented Team RLL in the American Le Mans Series, but also lined up successfully in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge—with BMW, of course.
Auberlen claimed his first victory for the brand in 1997 when he won the Drivers' title in the IMSA GTS-3 with Team PTG in a BMW M3. This win would prequel his success at endurance classics like Daytona and Sebring, where he won the GT class at both circuits in 1997 and 1998.
In 2004, he also set a record in the Grand-Am Series by winning six straight races before going on to claim the GT championship at the wheel of an M3, yet again. In 1999 and 2000, Auberlen successfully competed for BMW Motorsport at the wheel of a BMW V12 LMR prototype.
Co-driving with Joey Hand in 2009, Tommy Milner in 2010 and Dirk Werner this season, Auberlen has underlined his position as one of the world's best sports car endurance drivers by finishing third in the GT Driver points with both Milner and Werner. In 2011, he and Werner co-drove to five podiums, including runner-up finishes at both Sebring and Road America.
- Team Ganassi
- Scott Pruett
- Memo Rojas
Chip Ganassi Racing
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) is a racing organization owned by businessmen Chip Ganassi and Felix Sabates. Currently, it competes with teams in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series.
In the latter, Target Chip Ganassi Racing runs a Daytona Prototype team fielding a BMW-Riley car driven by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas.
Together, in 2010, Rojas and Pruett won 9 out of 12 races and swept the four Grand-Am championships for Telmex Ganassi Racing. By 2011, the team earned a one-two finish in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This victory made Ganassi the first racing team owner to win four of the most important races in North American auto racing–the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, and 24 Hours of Daytona–within the same 12-month span.
Team Website
Scott Pruett
Pruett started racing go karts at the age of eight and went on to win 10 professional karting championships before the launch of his career.
From the 1990s to 2010, Pruett competed in NASCAR, Champ Car, IMSA, Trans-Am and Grand-Am, winning the Indy 500 Rookie of the year award and championships in the IROC series, the 24 Hours Le Mans LMGTS Class, and the Trans-Am Championships in the Motorock Series–just to name a few.
In 2010, Pruett, together with Memo Rojas, won a series record of nine races to secure another Grand-Am Rolex Championship. In 2011, he went on to win the 24 Hours of Daytona, his fourth victory in the event. Now, in 2012, Pruett will return to the Rolex Series for Chip Ganassi Racing, and will be joined by Memo Rojas.
Memo Rojas
Memo Rojas began his career in 1993 like many successful drivers—racing go karts. But by 1996, he made the transition to professional racing in Mexico, Europe and the United States.
By 2007, Rojas switched from open-wheel racing to sports cars, and joined Chip Ganassi Racing to compete in the Grand-Am Rolex Series as a teammate to Scott Pruett. Claiming his first win in 2007, Rojas won his first 24 Hours of Daytona, propelling teammates to the Rolex Sports Car Series championship, and a series record for the most victories in a single season.
Over the course of 2010, Rojas set another series record for most victories in a season–nine– and finished on the podium 11 times in 12 races. Rojas' 2011 season started with a co–victory, again in the 24 Hours of Daytona. Now, in 2012, Rojas returns for his sixth year competing in the Grand-Am Rolex Series' Daytona Prototype class.
BMW M3 GT
Some cars have a driver's seat. Others, a cockpit.
The 2012 M3 GT makes a powerful statement.
Behind the signature BMW kidney grille, and beneath a striking powerdome hood, find a
race-tuned V8 engine that heightens the benchmark of American Motorsport.
Larger wheel arches accommodate a wider track. A wing rises tall from the rear
deck lid for greater downforce. And with an undeniably bold stance, the M3 GT is tangible proof of modern engineering at its best.
Built to outperform.
Inspired by the production M3, the M3 GT's race suspension has been modified
to accommodate a wider track and reduced ground clearance. The result is a
more dominant, yet nimble M3 that significantly outperforms previous models.
Seamless acceleration.
A six-speed sequential transmission allows uninterrupted power flow from
the longitudinally-mounted engine to the rear wheels.
Lightweight, Formula 1 technology.
The dark material of the M3's carbon fiber roof visually lessens the height
of its roof pillars. But the innovation of this unique, woven structure far
exceeds aesthetics. It successfully mimics Formula 1 and aerospace
technology to maintain a low center of gravity and lower overall weight.
An instant power boost.
The shorter length of the M3's quad exhaust pipes allow for lower weight and
reduced backpressure. In turn, more power is produced, helping to utilize
maximum horsepower. But don't be surprised by their intimidating scream.
A 500 horsepower heartbeat.
Encased within the M3's powerdome is a highly responsive 3,999 cc V–8 engine
with single–throttle butterfly technology that evokes smooth responsiveness at
low speeds, and quick, instinctive reactions when the accelerator is pressed.
Developed to rein in 500 horses.
For high-speed racing, a stout braking system was specially developed with large,
thirteen– and fifteen–inch, cast iron brake discs that feature six–piston aluminum
brake calipers in the front, with four additional aluminum brake calipers in the rear.
BMW-Riley Daytona Prototype
In so few words: dominating.
Currently campaigned by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, the high-performing BMW–Riley Daytona Prototype competes in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. By 2011, its growling 500 hp, V–8 engine–taken from the current BMW M5–propelled the team to some of the most important victories in North American racing. Backed by one of the leading chassis in the Grand-Am Rolex Series, it's a racecar that's been engineered to exhilarate–and dominate.
5.0–liter, V–8 engine with
X–Trac 5–speed sequential shift.
BMW M3 GS
With a 0–60 in the time it took to read this line.
Power has always been a dominant gene in the lineage of BMW Motorsport, and the Turner M3 GS is the latest heir apparent to impressive performance. Simply put, it looks fast because it is. With a top speed of 155 MPH, well–sculpted aerodynamics, and the brute force of a V–8 engine that harnesses 414 HP, this coupe makes a good chase for aspiring competition.
LESS WEIGHT, MORE GO.
From its lightweight V–8 power unit, widespread use of carbon–reinforced plastic,
and an all-aluminum suspension, the M3 is an agile force to be reckoned with.
It boasts a power–to–weight ratio of only 5.5 pounds per hp.
DEEPER BREATHS.
At first sight, front fenders house three large air intake scoops beneath the
radiator grill, which are arranged and calibrated precisely to the requirements
of its V–8 and ancillary units. They open to supply the naturally-aspirated
engine with a sufficient flow of air.
SEAMLESS ACCELERATION.
A six-speed sequential transmission allows uninterrupted power
flow from the longitudinally–mounted engine to the rear wheels.
NEAR-PERFECT BALANCE
FOR GRACEFUL CORNERING.
Near–perfect 50/50 weight distribution, from its aluminum engine and
brake system, to the top of a low weight carbon fiber roof, allow for
high–speed cornering while providing tremendous confidence and control.
LIGHTWEIGHT, AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY.
The dark material of the M3's carbon fiber roof visually lessens the height of its
roof pillars. But the innovation of this unique, woven structure far exceeds aesthetics.
It successfully incorporates aerospace technology to maintain a low
center of gravity and lower overall weight.
BMW Team RLL at Long Beach; Four Years – Four Podiums
April 14, 2012 — With a second place GT class finish by the
No. 56 BMW Team RLL M3 GT in today's American Le Mans Series at Long Beach race, BMW is tied for the manufacturer's point lead. The second podium of the young ALMS season for Joey Hand and Dirk Müller solidifies their lead in the driver's standings.
The defending GT driver co-champions started the race from the class pole with Hand at the wheel of the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. Hand led the race for the opening 16 laps until a prototype ran into him causing a puncture of the right rear tire. Hand pitted for fuel and four new tires, returning to the race in the seventh position. The race's only caution period brought him back to the pits on lap 41 where Bobby Rahal made a bold strategic move to not change tires and jump the field in the pits to send the BMW Motorsport driver out in the lead. Müller lost the lead, but drove a strong stint to extend BMW Team RLL's Long Beach podium streak to four years.
Teammates Bill Auberlen and Jörg Müller, driving the No. 55 M3 GT, finished out of the points in 11th. Müller, making his first start at Long Beach, was the victim of a first lap accident that forced him to the pits for lengthy repairs to replace the radiator. He returned 13 laps down to the leaders, but put his head down, setting some of the fastest laps of that part of the race. He handed off to Auberlen during the race's only caution period and the Californian, who podiumed here in both 2009 and 2010, did not disappoint his home race fans as he circulated at a very fast pace until the checkered flag.
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BMW Team RLL — Long Beach ALMS Preview
April 9, 2012 — Following a four–week intermission after BMW Team RLL's GT class victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring American Le Mans Series curtain-raiser, the second act of the team's ALMS GT class title defense will be set in the streets of Long Beach, California on April 14.
Last year Joey Hand and Dirk Müller had starring roles as Long Beach race winners and, ultimately, GT class driver's champions. This year's story has begun much as the last with Hand and Müller sharing a second consecutive Sebring 12 Hour victory – this time supported by Jonathan Summerton, of Kissimmee, Fla., as third driver.
Only two hours long, the Long Beach race is not only the shortest of the season, but the tight confines of the 1.968–mile, 11–turn temporary street circuit set a stage for high drama and conflict.
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BMW Team RLL claims 12 Hours of Sebring GT victory for a
second consecutive year.
March 17 2012. — Sebring, March 17th 2012. BMW Team RLL had an excellent start
to the 2012 American Le Mans Series season. At the 60th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring
(US) the No. 56 BMW M3 GT claimed overall victory in the GT class after 307 laps of
the "Sebring International Raceway" and a dramatic final stage of the race. Over the
course of the thrilling marathon, Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and Jonathan
Summerton (US) shared the driving duties. Last year, Müller and Hand (along with
Andy Priaulx) crossed the line as winners in the BMW M3 GT at the season opener.
The sister BMW M3 GT, Number 155, was driven by Jörg Müller (DE), Bill Auberlen
(US) and Uwe Alzen (DE). The trio finished the race, which saw a combined field of
ALMS GT cars and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) GTE entries, in fifth
overall and scored fourth place points in ALMS GT class.
Summerton experienced a perfect debut in sports car racing by making it to the top
step of the podium. With today's win, a BMW M3 has now emerged victorious in the
GT class of this event for the fourth time: 1997, 1998, 2011 and 2012. BMW
claimed overall victory in 1975 with the BMW 3.0 CSL, as well as with the BMW V12
LMR in 1999. With BMW M celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, this historic win
comes as the perfect present.
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BMW Team RLL kicks off the 2012 ALMS season in Sebring
Mar 12, 2012 — Munich, March 12th 2012. BMW Team RLL launches the defense of its titles in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at the 12 Hours of Sebring (US) this Saturday. The "Sebring International Raceway" is the oldest circuit in North America and this year hosts the spectacular endurance race for the 60th time.
This is not the only important anniversary this year: BMW M is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2012. A BMW M3 has triumphed in the GT class at Sebring on four occasions — 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2011. BMW also has two overall victories to its name. In 1975 the BMW 3.0 CSL won in Florida, while the BMW V12 LMR prototype crossed the line first after 12 hours in 1999.
Joey Hand (US) and Dirk Müller (DE) return to the ALMS as reigning GT champions. This year they will once again alternate behind the wheel of the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. Twenty-three year old Jonathan Summerton (US) will join them as the third driver in Sebring, and will also line up at a further three races over the course of the season.
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