The third race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season is all set to take place next Saturday at the famed street circuit in Long Beach, California. Following the endurance classics at Daytona and Sebring, this will be the first and shortest sprint race of the year. BMW M Team RLL is riding high on the momentum from their podium finish at Sebring and will field two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the GTP class. The GTD category will see three BMW M4 GT3s on the starting grid.
The 100-minute race, the shortest of the IMSA season, offers a unique challenge to BMW M Team RLL drivers. Only Connor De Phillippi is acquainted with the distinctive street circuit, while his teammates Nick Yelloly, Augusto Farfus, and Philipp Eng will be racing on this track for the first time.
All BMW M works drivers have undergone intensive simulator training to prepare for the race and are determined to build on their Sebring success. The emphasis this time is on qualifying performance, which will be crucial on the tight circuit.
Paul Miller Racing heads to Long Beach after achieving two victories in the GTD class. Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow, who triumphed at Sebring and last year at Long Beach, later clinched the 2022 GTD Sprint title.
Representing Turner Motorsport will be Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher in the #96 BMW M4 GT3. Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull will drive the #95 car, which will switch from the GTD PRO to the GTD class for the sprint races.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th, at 2:05 p.m. local time (11:05 p.m. CEST).
Team Principal Bobby Rahal and drivers Augusto Farfus, Philipp Eng, Connor De Phillippi, and Nick Yelloly shared their thoughts ahead of the race. They expressed excitement and anticipation about racing at Long Beach, acknowledging the challenges of the street circuit and the importance of qualifying performance.
The drivers also highlighted the improvements made to the BMW M Hybrid V8 at Sebring and their determination to continue closing the gap to the competition.
As BMW M Team RLL gears up for the first sprint race of the season, fans eagerly await the thrilling action at the iconic Long Beach circuit.
