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Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: BMW Confirms RLL, Driver Lineups For Z4 GTE
European GT racing standout Maxime Martin, American hot shoe John Edwards, join BMW Team RLL for 2013 ALMS season...
BMW has entrusted Bobby Rahal's RLL organization to rum its factory ALMS program for a fifth consecutive season. (Photo: BMW)
BMW announced the final pieces of its 2013 American Le Mans Series program Monday, confirming it will continue its partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the fifth consecutive year, while also naming two new drivers to its factory Z4 GTE squad for the upcoming season.
Returning drivers Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller will be joined by European GT racing standout Maxime Martin as a full-season driver, while American rising star John Edwards will also make his debut with the team, filling in for the race Hand cannot contest due to his continued DTM commitments.
Joerg Mueller, who drove the full season in 2012, remains with the team for Sebring and Petit Le Mans, along with fellow German Uwe Alzen for the two enduros as well.
“All of us at BMW Team RLL are very excited about the 2013 season with the new BMW Z4 GTE”, said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “We had four great years with the BMW M3 GT and now want to compete on a par with our rivals with the BMW Z4 GTE as soon as possible.
"With any new car there is going to be a period of development, but we are excited about the upcoming season. This will be our fifth year with BMW and it’s obvious we have a great working relationship.
"In fact, some of the members of the team are in Munich working side-by-side with BMW Motorsport building the cars. We share the same approach in terms of our desire to be successful and it’s a real honour and privilege to represent BMW in motorsport.”
As the newest BMW Motorsport driver, Martin will make his North American debut while also being present at seven of the ten DTM race weekends. The 26-year-old Belgian, who finished runner-up in the Blancpain Endurance Series last year, will also drive a BMW M3 in next weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona for Turner Motorsport.
“I am very happy and think this is a good way to start my career as a BMW works driver,” said Martin. “I have the opportunity to get to know the DTM team and gain valuable experience. Driving for BMW Team RLL in the ALMS is a big challenge for me, as I have never raced in North America. I am really looking forward to it. My career path shows how beneficial it is to have BMW watching you so closely and offering great support within the framework of the BMW Sports Trophy.”
Finally, longtime BMW employee Gordon McDonnell has been promoted to BMW NA Motorsport Manager, adding to the strength of the Bavarian manufacturer's presence in the ALMS and GRAND-AM.
Development of the new Z4 GTE, based on BMW's successful GT3 model, continues, with an official unveiling expected next month ahead of is on-track debut. BMW Team RLL will campaign two cars in the entire ten-round ALMS season, beginning with the 61st annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.
“With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We have celebrated magnificent victories and titles with the BMW M3 GT and BMW Team RLL over the past four years. The BMW Z4 GTE has everything it needs to continue this success story.”
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Returning drivers Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller will be joined by European GT racing standout Maxime Martin as a full-season driver, while American rising star John Edwards will also make his debut with the team, filling in for the race Hand cannot contest due to his continued DTM commitments.
Joerg Mueller, who drove the full season in 2012, remains with the team for Sebring and Petit Le Mans, along with fellow German Uwe Alzen for the two enduros as well.
“All of us at BMW Team RLL are very excited about the 2013 season with the new BMW Z4 GTE”, said Bobby Rahal, Team Principal. “We had four great years with the BMW M3 GT and now want to compete on a par with our rivals with the BMW Z4 GTE as soon as possible.
"With any new car there is going to be a period of development, but we are excited about the upcoming season. This will be our fifth year with BMW and it’s obvious we have a great working relationship.
"In fact, some of the members of the team are in Munich working side-by-side with BMW Motorsport building the cars. We share the same approach in terms of our desire to be successful and it’s a real honour and privilege to represent BMW in motorsport.”
As the newest BMW Motorsport driver, Martin will make his North American debut while also being present at seven of the ten DTM race weekends. The 26-year-old Belgian, who finished runner-up in the Blancpain Endurance Series last year, will also drive a BMW M3 in next weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona for Turner Motorsport.
“I am very happy and think this is a good way to start my career as a BMW works driver,” said Martin. “I have the opportunity to get to know the DTM team and gain valuable experience. Driving for BMW Team RLL in the ALMS is a big challenge for me, as I have never raced in North America. I am really looking forward to it. My career path shows how beneficial it is to have BMW watching you so closely and offering great support within the framework of the BMW Sports Trophy.”
Finally, longtime BMW employee Gordon McDonnell has been promoted to BMW NA Motorsport Manager, adding to the strength of the Bavarian manufacturer's presence in the ALMS and GRAND-AM.
Development of the new Z4 GTE, based on BMW's successful GT3 model, continues, with an official unveiling expected next month ahead of is on-track debut. BMW Team RLL will campaign two cars in the entire ten-round ALMS season, beginning with the 61st annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.
“With the BMW Z4 GTE, we are starting a new chapter in North America alongside BMW Team RLL”, said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “We have celebrated magnificent victories and titles with the BMW M3 GT and BMW Team RLL over the past four years. The BMW Z4 GTE has everything it needs to continue this success story.”
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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