BMW Team RLL Eyeing Maiden Win for M6 GTLM at 2016 Monterey Grand Prix

By Mitchell Weitzman

 

The 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship continues its tour of California this weekend with the Continental Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda, at the storied Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. While the M6 GTLM remains winless thus far this season, the new turbocharged challenger sees the return to a venue of considerable success for BMW Team RLL, who scored a sweeping 1-2 finish at Laguna Seca last year. It’s not to say the M6 has been off the pace so far this year, scoring two poles at Sebring and Long Beach in the hands of endurance veteran Bill Auberlen; the first win will surely come sooner that later. New competition from Ford’s new GT racing car as well as Ferrari’s new, and also turbocharged, 488 GTE has made the always competitive GTLM even that much closer. Also don’t forget the Corvettes and Porsches that remain as challenging as ever, with the #4 Corvette winning the Florida pair of enduros. Laguna Seca should be a good fit for the larger, F12-based racer, being able to use the wide, sweeping corners of the Salinas hills to it’s benefit. It’s surprising and a real testament to the speed potential of the M6 GTLM that it was able to score a pole at the tight Long Beach street circuit despite it’s size disadvantage compared to smaller, mid-engined American and Italian rivals. In GTD, Turner Motorsport will field a pair of M6 GT3s as well, making it a 4xM6 assault.

Interestingly enough, the race weekend will be split into two separate two-hour sprint races, the first featuring the Prototype and GTLM classes, with the second the Prototype Challenge and GTD classes. Race one starts at 11:15 a.m.  PT Sunday the 1st with Race 2 following at 3:45 p.m. PT. A 3 day pass to see all events is $90 a ticket, with a Sunday pass coming in at $70. Supporting races include the one-make Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the Mazda MX-5 Cup. For those that have not been to Laguna Seca, it’s well worth the trip to the scenic Monterey Peninsula. I highly recommend climbing all the way to the top of the famed ‘corkscrew’ as well as viewing from the hill above the Andretti Hairpin, turn 2, giving a great look at drivers overtaking under heavy braking.

BMW Performance Center entering BMW M2 in 2016 One Lap of America

The BMW Performance Center with partners BMW M Performance Parts and IHG Rewards Club today announced that it will compete in the 2016 One Lap of America with the all-new BMW M2.  This year’s team will be co-piloted by BMW Performance Center Driving Instructor, Michael Schnell Renner and Stephen Maguire of United BMW Roswell of Atlanta. The duo will compete in the Small Bore Stock Touring SSGT1 category. The 2016 One Lap of America competitors depart South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, April 30th to begin the 7 Day, 2,827 mile route, spanning twelve states and consisting of Time Trials, Drag Racing, Skid pad Car Control and of course, long overnight transit stages. Renner won both the 2015 One Lap of America Truck/SUV and Stock Touring classes piloting a BMW X6M.

[tweetthis]BMW Performance Center M2 to enter 2016 One Lap of America[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]I’m betting on the BMW M2 in the 2016 One Lap of America[/tweetthis]

The 2016 BMW M2

The 2016 BMW M2 is the newest vehicle from the brand to wear the coveted M badge. With an output of 365 bhp at 6,500rpm and 343 lb-ft of torque (369 lb-ft in overboost mode) on tap between 1,400 and 5,600 rpm, the M2 can sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.2 Seconds and lap the storied Nurburgring in a time of 7:58 minutes. The M2 features lightweight aluminum subframe and suspension components under the widened bodywork as well as an Active M Rear Differential. The already track capable M2 has been further enhanced for One Lap duty with BMW M Performance Accessories, including carbon fiber front and rear spoilers, carbon fiber rear diffuser, M Performance coil-over suspension and sport exhaust system.

BMW M Performance Parts

BMW M Performance Parts bring decades of innovative dynamic, design and Motorsports experience to BMW owners. The M Performance Parts collection of aerodynamic, interior, drive-train and chassis accessories enhance both the performance and appearance of BMW vehicles and are available as dealer installed accessories for new vehicle customers and current owners while maintaining full manufacturer’s warranty coverage.

BMW Performance Center

The BMW Performance Center is the home of BMW’s Performance Driving School. Comprising two locations, Performance Center East in Greer, SC and Performance Center West in Thermal, CA, the BMW Performance Driving School offers a variety of driving classes that highlight the performance, responsiveness, and safety features in each BMW vehicle.  Driving schools are offered in 1 and 2 day formats. They include a Teen Driving School, Car Control School, M School, and Advanced M School.  Exclusive corporate driving events are also offered in many variants ranging from half day programs to 3 day events with on track driving and offsite tours and excursions.

Discuss the One Lap of America Entry here…

M235i Long Term Wrap Up from Automobile Magazine

With the M2 the hot topic of conversation, many people are forgetting about the M235i which has been with us since 2014. Automobile Magazine has just finished their 2014 M235i Long Term Wrap Up of their car. Now the question of the day is … should you save your pennies for an brand new M2 or should you pick up a used M235i and save that extra money for go-fast goodies from your favorite tuner shop? You could easily have a car that looks almost like an M2 that goes significantly faster. Should you consider one? Read their article and find out.

[tweetthis]Should I buy a M235i or M2?[/tweetthis]

Let us know your thoughts in our discussion forum.