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BMW M Motorsport Teams And Drivers Intensively Prepare For The 24 Hours Of Daytona Race
BMW M Motorsport drivers and teams have been gearing up for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's 24 Hours of Daytona. Last weekend, during the Roar before the 24, they engaged in intense preparations. The BMW M Team RLL showcased strong performances with their two BMW M Hybrid V8s over three test days and seven sessions.
In the GTP category, BMW M Team RLL executed a comprehensive testing programme at Daytona International Speedway. They completed over 370 laps. Dries Vanthoor set the fastest time at 1:35.424 minutes. Kevin Magnussen and Kelvin van der Linde also completed their initial laps as BMW M works drivers.
The #24 BMW M Hybrid V8 saw Philipp Eng, Dries Vanthoor, Kevin Magnussen, and Raffaele Marciello sharing driving duties. Meanwhile, Marco Wittmann, Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, and René Rast took turns in car #25. Three sessions concluded with a BMW M Hybrid V8 achieving the best time.
Paul Miller Racing introduced its two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs in the "Inception" design for the first time. In the GTD-PRO class, Kelvin van der Linde drove the #1 car alongside Madison Snow, Neil Verhagen, and Connor De Phillippi. Dan Harper and Max Hesse missed the first day due to illness but later caught up on their laps.
In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport tested its new BMW M4 GT3 EVO with Robby Foley, Patrick Gallagher, Jake Walker, and Jens Klingmann completing around 150 laps. The team focused on optimising car behaviour over long runs to ensure competitiveness in the race.
The collaboration between BMW M Motorsport and Champion Ignition enters its second year at Daytona. The Champion logo remains on both BMW M Hybrid V8s of BMW M Team RLL. Plans are underway to expand this partnership technologically by enhancing the P66/3 combustion engine's ignition system.
Continued Partnership with Champion Ignition
BMW M Motorsport offers exclusive experiences to Champion employees and guests at racetracks. Both partners coordinate marketing communications closely. Last season saw significant successes including a 1-2 finish at Indianapolis and multiple wins in DTM.
"It's great to be able to continue and even expand our partnership with Champion," said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. "We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration in our programmes in IMSA and DTM."
Driver Reactions After Testing Sessions
Dries Vanthoor expressed satisfaction with how smoothly everything went during testing but emphasised that true results matter next weekend when winners are crowned. Kevin Magnussen felt more comfortable with each lap as he adapted to new challenges at BMW M Motorsport.
Marco Wittmann was pleased with progress made during sessions at Roar before focusing on fine-tuning ahead of competing for podium positions next week while Kelvin van der Linde appreciated support from teammates helping him adapt quickly to his new car setup.
Dan Harper acknowledged missing initial tests due to illness but praised his team's organisation while Jens Klingmann highlighted efforts towards achieving balance over race distances rather than focusing solely on single-lap speed improvements.
The upcoming 24-hour race begins Saturday 25th January at 13:40 local time (19:40 CET). Fans can watch all sessions live on www.imsa.tv as teams aim for top performances following extensive preparations during Roar before this major event.
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