| Team Will Field Two GTD PRO Cars in 2022, Two in LMDh in 2023 November 13, 2021By Jeff OlsonIMSA Wire Service  BRASELTON, Ga. – BMW Team RLL will field two prototypes for BMW M Motorsport when the new LMDh category is unveiled in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023, BMW M Motorsport announced Saturday. BMW Team RLL also will enter two BMW M4 GT3s in the new GTD PRO category next season. “For me personally and professionally, this is a dream come true,” BMW Team RLL principal Bobby Rahal said. “Now to first run a brand-new car like the BMW M4 GT3 and after that make the next step with BMW Team RLL to race for overall wins in the LMDh class is a direction we definitely wanted to go. I’m so pleased, so proud, so thankful that we’ll be able to do it together with BMW M Motorsport.” Rahal’s team is the fourth to commit to the new LMDh platform, which will replace the current Daytona Prototype international (DPi) class in 2023. Five manufacturers have announced intentions to participate in the hybrid-based category. “I’m delighted that our LMDh project has reached its next milestone with the announcement of BMW Team RLL as the team to race in the two prototypes,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “As with chassis partner Dallara, in team principal Bobby Rahal and his crew, we have outstanding expertise and decades of experience at the highest level on our side.” BMW Team RLL has two BMW M8 GTE entries in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class for Saturday’s Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Jesse Krohn won the pole position Friday in the No. 24 BMW Team RLL M8 he will co-drive with John Edwards and Augusto Farfus. The team’s No. 25 entry, co-driven by Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng and Bruno Spengler, will start sixth in GTLM. The announcement continues an association between BMW and Rahal’s team that began in 2009. “During this time, we have all come to know the IMSA series very well and have celebrated major success together,” said Mike Krack, head of BMW M Motorsport. “From our perspective, racing in the top class and challenging for overall victories from 2023 is the logical next step. “When you compete with a new race car, it is a great advantage to already know what awaits you in the race series, at the circuits, and in terms of organization. This is 100 percent the case in the constellation we have opted for.” |
