BMW Joins IMSA Prototype Category with Team RLL
BMW Team RLL, which has been competing with backing from BMW M Motorsport since 2009, will compete in two LMDh prototypes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series beginning in 2023, the automaker announced. Alongside the LMDh program, BMW Team RLL will also field two BMW M4 GT3s in the new GTD Pro category in the 2022 IMSA season.
“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. The LMDh project continues to gain momentum and I am confident that next year we will once again take all necessary steps as planned to be as well prepared as possible for entering our first IMSA season with the LMDh prototypes in 2023. We are taking on this new challenge together at full speed.”
BMW Team RLL has been competing in the IMSA GT category and its predecessor series in BMW racing cars since 2009. This partnership has yielded GTLM wins with the BMW M8 GTE at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019 and 2020, the GTLM title wins in the driver, team and manufacturer standings of the 2020 Michelin Endurance Cup and a total of five GT titles with the BMW M3 GT in the 2010 and 2011 seasons of the American Le Mans Series.
“For me, personally and professionally, this is a dream come true,” said Rahal. “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.’
The design sketches of the BMW M LMDh were produced in close collaboration between BMW M Motorsport and BMW Group Designworks.
