American Le Mans Series
Auberlen and Hand confirmed at Rahal Letterman
© BMW Motorsport // The new for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe GT2
BMW of North America, LLC and Rahal Letterman Racing have named Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand as the first two drivers of the new M3s for BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team in the 2009 American Le Mans Series. In choosing Auberlen and Hand, BMW of North America has picked two of the most successful BMW drivers in the world and two of the most familiar names to M3 racing fans here in North America.
Auberlen, 40, of Redondo Beach, CA first drove for BMW of North America in 1996 when he joined the previous M3 racing program, then in its second year of competition. Auberlen would go on to become the team’s most successful driver, winning driver titles in both 1997 and 2004. When he takes the green flag at Sebring International Raceway for the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 21, Auberlen will have the distinction of having raced every generation of BMW M3 campaigned by BMW of North America.
Hand, 29, of Sacramento, CA joined the previous M3 racing program in 2004 and raced through the 2006 season. Coming from a background in open wheel racing, Hand quickly adapted to the M3 and endurance racing. He drove to five wins and 17 podium finishes for BMW of North America in three seasons, many of those races partnered with Auberlen.
“BMW of North America is very pleased to have Bill and Joey on the team,” said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. “Their experience with setup, GT racing and their raw speed will support the competitiveness of BMW’s GT2 campaign in the ALMS. I have known both of them for many years, and besides being fast, they’re both a lot of fun to work with. I am looking forward to seeing them pedal our newest BMW M3 racer.”
“My emotions are really high. I feel like I am going back home to my family. To be a part of racing at the level that BMW brings is a dream for any driver,” said Bill Auberlen. “I am really looking forward to being teamed up again with Joey. It’ll be exciting to be on a team headed by a legend and racing icon like Bobby Rahal. I am really looking forward to 2009.”
“I’m very excited to be back in the BMW family and to be driving a BMW M3 again. I built quite a fan base within the BMW community and I can’t wait to put on a show for them again,” added Joey Hand. “I am looking forward to working with a top-notch team such as Rahal Letterman Racing. Bobby helped me earlier in my career so we have a good relationship. I can’t wait to get started!”
Since the program’s announcement in February 2008, the ALMS BMW M3 has been developed and tested by BMW Motorsport in Europe. This month begins the official handoff to BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team with two more tests in the United States.
“If you are going to start a new BMW team in the United States, it is nearly impossible to find a pair of drivers with more success or more experience with BMWs than Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand,” said Rahal Letterman Racing’s Bobby Rahal. “Bill is one of the most successful American sedan drivers of the decade and Joey has more than displayed his ability to run right with him, so we expect this driver pairing to be a strong one for the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team.”
Four test days are scheduled for November 19-20 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, and Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, FL on Nov. 24-25. The tests will see BMW Motorsport drivers Jorg Muller, Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus behind the wheel of the test car.
Birkmann continues, “Key BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team personnel have been involved in the European testing, but now the two November tests will see them take a larger role. BMW of North America is confident that when our complete team and new M3s arrive at the track early next year we will have built a solid foundation for success.”
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that is great news. I bet Auberlen is glad to be done with a full-season of DPs for 2009.
I’m happy there some American’s involved. Here’s my basic issue.
Companies like Ferrari and Porsche are largely not involved in this downturn. In otherwords, they have “money” to throw at a “problem” whatever it is.
To Hand’s credit he’s done alot of tire testing which will come in handy as the M3 comes up to speed.
Auberlen has wasted his talent in DP’s with largely uncompetitive Ruby Tues car that will loose its sponsorship next season.
But are they BOTH quick enough? Dirk
Werner proved he is extremely fast and he’s not even 25! With direct factory input from Porsche I expect him to be a constant threat for pole which now garners an extra point for starting on pole. FBL was competitive from DAY ONE, so they will make the next jump and already have a victory under their belt.
I strongly urge Risi to work out a deal to get either Rob Bell or Gianni Bruni and create a “Super Team” of Melo/Bruni and Bell/Salo for the balance of the season.
I think BMW just needs to be somebody that’s flat out FAST in the car and that’s pointing to Augusto Farfus honestly.
We’ll see this off-season is very interesting and GT2 believe or not will actually be BETTER than last year or the year before, that’s unbelievable!
Auberlen and Hand are solid but in DPs I kept hoping for a win or two that never came. I don’t think their massive publicity reflected their success. They could’ve done more. And Alex Job Racing is a pretty well funded outfit.
If BMW commits to two cars and are serious as they should be they can find a driver pairing to make these guys #2 on the team.
With enough money they can snatch Dirk Muller from Tafel. He’s also a former factory driver for BMW.
In the past Team PTG has ran the M3s. But I guess BMW didn’t like the way they handled the Panoz program. But perhaps a squad of their caliber should’ve found a way to make it work. I think they tried but the Panoz was outdated.
And of course with Rahal Letterman BMW has access to a super fast young stud called Graham Rahal. Even though I think Bobby Rahal should use his money and connects to get him in F1. But that’s another story
Farnbacher Loles is not a new team they’re a massive intercontinental operation so for them a win was always expected. Porsche called them to the ALMS to help flying Lizard.
Dirk Werner is junior Porsche factory driver (tester). He tests ALL 911 GT3 RSR GT2s in Germany before they’re shipped to teams. FBL has a hold on him.
Especially with Pratt and Milner coming in the fray BMW better make sure Auberlen and Hand are what they want. GT2 will be the best GT racing anywhere.
Well, unless Aston Martin and Maserati decide to come back in GT1 here with Factory efforts. Bertolini/Bartel vs Enge/Garcia. Hmmmm.
That’s good news, I heard their Testing Four Days with some new drivers at Road Atlanta for Two Days, and Sebring for two to pick the other drivers in the second M3 GTR, Is Hand and Auberlen going to race in the Rolex 24 @ Daytona with Alex Job Racing. The Team can switch from Porsche to BMW power. Even Rahal can even put a entry in like Penske has two Porsche Rileys
What a beautiful car. I have just found a video on this french website about the first laps of the car ! Very interesting. Have a look on the article devoted to BMW, the video is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.pitlanevision.com
Auberlen and Hand are fine for the entire season.
Farus is my pick along with Prilux or either of the Mullers to join them.
Graham I see at Sebring and Petit only as those races don’t clash with his Indy Car driving.
My RLR line up for Serbing -
Auberlen/Hand/Rahal
Muller/Muller/Priaulx
Why Priaulx, the person running BMW NA is the the former manager for Priaulx….
Fafus might get a seat as well. You had to have Americans in the car but I don’t think its required if they aren’t quick enough.
For the sprint races -
Priaulx/Muller (Jorg) or Muller (Jorg)/Farus
Auberlen/Hand or Auberlen/Priaulx Hand/Farus
We’ll see
Now for Midwest Motorsports
Jim Tafel will do everything to hold on to Dirk Muller. It’s no question he’s a stud. Bobby Rahal will snatch him up without sparing a thought. Especially with him being German the folks at BMW would love that.
By the way, GT1 has been disbanded. There will only be P1, P2, and GT2 in the ALMS