COLUMBUS, Ohio (January 25, 2015) – BMW Team RLL entered two BMW Z4 GTLM racecars into the 53rd running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, each donning AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology liveries. The hard fought, twice-around-the-clock spectacle saw Bill Auberlen, Augusto Farfus, Bruno Spengler, and Dirk Werner take their No. 25 BMW across the finish line just 0.478 seconds behind the factory No. 3 Corvette.
2015 marks the second season with BWM Team RLL. Last season, AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology partnered with RLL’s big brother in the Verizon IndyCar series, and expanded their deal to include the Tudor United Sports Car Championship team. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sought to take advantage of the AERO™ film-based applique's performance enhancing technology to both protect their cars from harsh racing environments, as well as take weight off the car.
For the two BMW’s, this proved invaluable for the 24-hour endurance challenge. Both the 24 and the 24 cars, which finished 4th and 2nd respectively, AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology protected the car while lightening the load caused by substitute technologies, particularly off the top of the car.
For Jens Marquardt, BMW Motorsport Director, the final minutes of the race proved to be a proverbial “nail biter,” he stated later. He also remarked on the grit and perseverance shown over the course of the race, complimenting the drivers and crew on a hard fought race and productive development interval over the offseason.
Regarding the GTLM-class race, “attrition” is a word most ascribed by the press. Such is often the case in any endurance race, with both mechanical issues and collisions littering the field. Both factory Porsches were forced to retire after a collision with a GTD-class Aston Martin, leaving the two RLL BMWs to chase down the leading Corvette C7.Rs. The No. 24 BMW suffered a 29-lap pit stop around the 9-hour mark, resulting from a collision. After being stymied by a recalcitrant wheel nut during a pit stop, the remaining BMW got a boost by a late-race caution that contracted the racing field closer together, allowing Dirk Werner to duke it out to the finish with the leading Corvette C7.R.
Jim McGuire, president and CEO of AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology parent company, entrotech, stated “the BMWs of Team RLL were extremely competitive over the entire 24-hour race—a testament to both the drivers and the crew!” Jim went on to explain, “Every year BMW Team RLL gets closer to P1, and everyone here at AERO is excited to play a part in lowering weight and enhancing the durability of the car.”
About The BMW Group
With its three brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2014, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.118 million cars and 123,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2013 was euro 7.91 billion on revenues amounting to approximately euro 76.06 billion. As of 31 December 2013, the BMW Group had a workforce of 110,351 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
About Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
BMW’s partner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan and CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman, has been competing for over two decades, compiling 28 victories, 42 poles and three series championships (1992, 2010, 2011) as well as claiming an Indianapolis 500 victory (Buddy Rice in 2004). In 2009 the team joined BMW of North America to campaign the new BMW M3 in the American Le Mans Series. In 2010 the team won both the Manufacturer and Team Championships in the GT category. In 2011 the team swept all three GT titles—Manufacturer, Team and Driver.
About AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology
AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology is a division of entrotech, inc. that designs, manufactures, and sells a series of advanced, film-based paint appliques to the aerospace, automotive, and commercial trucking industries. Established in 1999, entrotech is a chemical technology business that designs, develops and commercializes innovative materials used in many of the world’s most advanced products. The company’s focus is on life sciences, data storage, display enhancement and protection, green paint applique films, and premium carbon fiber products. With executive offices and laboratories in San Francisco, the company has manufacturing and development facilities in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit: www.entrotech.com