In a thrilling turn of events, the BMW M Team RLL emerged victorious in the 6-hour race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA series) at Watkins Glen, USA. The race, which unfolded with intense competition and captivating moments, ended with Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly being declared the winners after a post-race penalty for the first-placed Porsche.

As the race closed De Phillippi, piloting the BMW M Hybrid V8, engaged in an exhilarating duel with the #6 Porsche. The two drivers Attlee back and forth, pushing the limits of their respective vehicles. Throughout his stint, De Phillippi demonstrated remarkable consistency and resilience, managing to hold onto the lead until the final sprint.

However, fate intervened in the form of heavy traffic, causing De Phillippi to lose the lead to the #6 Porsche in the closing stages of the race. It appeared that victory had slipped away, but the subsequent technical violation discovered during the technical inspection changed the outcome and handed BMW victory it probably deserved anyway.

For BMW M Motorsport, this triumph marks a significant milestone. The BMW M Hybrid V8’s maiden victory not only adds a new chapter to the history books but also signals the return of BMW prototypes to North American racing glory. The last time a BMW prototype secured a triumph in North America was in 1999 at Sebring with the iconic BMW V12 LMR.

BMW IMSA

The victory at Watkins Glen showcases the remarkable progress and dedication of the BMW M Team RLL. Their relentless pursuit of excellence has been rewarded, solidifying their position as one of the top contenders in the fiercely competitive IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): “Wow! The first victory for the BMW M Hybrid V8 – a historic day for BMW M Motorsport and a significant milestone for our LMDh project! Congratulations and thank you to everyone at BMW M Motorsport in Munich, the BMW M Team RLL, and drivers Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly! While we would have preferred to win on the track, this success is the result of long, hard work and the well-deserved reward for the fantastic performances of everyone involved in this program. I am particularly delighted that our pace was consistently strong throughout the weekend, and we set the top times. We have been improving from race to race, and we have earned our first victory in the GTP class. I am incredibly proud of our entire crew!”