USC – BMW Team RLL believes in its chances at Daytona

BMW Team RLL will line up once again two Z4 GTLMs at the 24 Hours of Daytona (Florida) contested this weekend. The two frames will be stamped with No. 24 and No. 25 in homage to the 3.0 CSL which debuted 40 years ago. Bill Auberlen and Dirk Werner will be joined on the No. 25 by Augusto Farfus and Bruno Spengler who will compete in the American double-lap for the first time. John Edwards and Lucas Luhr will welcome Jens Klingmann and Graham Rahal to the sister car.

After narrowly missing out on winning the category last year against Porsche North America, BMW Team RLL plans to take revenge even if the stakes are high. “The two toughest events in the Championship are the first two (the 12 Hours of Sebring being contested on March 21)”, recalls Bobby Rahal, the team's Team Principal. “We have to make sure we are at the finish in this 24-hour race. We were in a good position last year and had a chance to win the event, but we had a problem with one wheel and had to stop the second car for safety. We still had a good performance, better than we hoped, because we didn't have the fastest cars. »

Bobby Rahal is more optimistic for this edition, the technical regulations concerning the GTLM at Daytona seeming more equitable. “We spent little time in the pits, that's the key to success. It sounds simplistic, but those who spend the least amount of time in the pits more or less have victory within reach. We have to approach the race the same way this year. With two new BMW Z4 GTLMs, probably more efficient than last year, and after having carried out good tests, I think we have a great opportunity. »