Category Archives: Racing

Information, Press Release, Racing

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…

Information, Racing

BMW M2 vs BMW M4 … the day of reckoning is here

Watch as Senior Editor Jason Cammisa and SCCA Hall of Fame inductee Randy Pobst from Motor Trend put the highly anticipated M2 up against the M4. Who do you think will win? Will the champ remain supreme? Check it out on this video from Ignition, presented by The Tire Rack.

[tweetthis]M2 vs M4 … time to find out which is faster[/tweetthis]

You can discuss the relevancy of the test and the winner here… M2 vs M4

Press Release, Racing

2016 BMW M6 GTLM to Make Debut at Nov. 17-18 IMSA Daytona Test

BMW Team RLL will participate in the Nov. 17-18 IMSA test at Daytona International Speedway marking the first public test of BMW’s latest endurance racing challenger, the BMW M6 GTLM. As announced during last season’s Petit Le Mans weekend, BMW Team RLL is expected to campaign two M6 GTLM race cars in the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The M6 GTLM recently completed its first US test at Sebring International Raceway in late October along with a M6 GT3 machine that will provide the foundation for BMW’s worldwide customer racing program. 2015 season drivers Bill Auberlen, Dirk Werner and John Edwards participated at Sebring along with 2014 GTLM driver champion Kuno Wittmer, who has signed with BMW of North America to compete in the three endurance classics of the IMSA Championship – namely the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Petit Le Mans. Wittmer will also participate in the development of the new race car. At the Daytona test the drivers will be Auberlen, Edwards, Lucas Luhr and BMW DTM driver Bruno Spengler. Spengler raced the 2015 Rolex 24 At Daytona with BMW Team RLL.

The three-day Sebring test was a successful one and was also notable as it provided the opportunity for 2015 BMW Motorsport Junior driver Trent Hindman to test last year’s Z4 GTLM. The 20-year old proved to be a quick study and was rapidly up to speed in the No. 24 car after being briefed by BMW Team RLL driver John Edwards. Edwards co-drove with Hindman to the youngster’s 2014 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Grand Sport class drivers championship. Named as a BMW Motorsport Junior driver in 2015, Hindman raced twice in Europe with his Junior teammates. In October, one weekend after co-driving to the win at the season ending CTSC race at Road Atlanta in a BMW M3, Hindman co-drove to the victory in a BMW M235i Racing with his Junior teammates at the 12 Hour race in Brno, Czech Republic. Although not driving, Hindman will join BMW Team RLL to observe the Daytona test.

2016 will mark BMW Team RLL’s eighth season of successfully racing for BMW in North America. The M6 GTLM will be the third BMW model campaigned by the team. In the past seven seasons, racing first with the BMW M3 and then the Z4, the team has amassed 57 podiums, including 13 wins. The team finished second in last year’s GTLM class Manufacturer, Team and Drivers championships.

The 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship begins with the 54th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 30-31, 2016. Follow BMW Team RLL on Twitter at @BMWUSARacing for updates.