Two Turner BMWs prepare for this weekend’s IMSA racing action at Watkins Glen International for the Sahlen’s Six Hours and the four-hour Tioga Downs 240 to complete 10-hours of sportscar racing.
The No. 96 BMW M6 GT3 will see the return of Bill Auberlen, Robby Foley and Dillon Machavern for Sahlen’s Six Hour to mark round 5 of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and round 3 of the Michelin Endurance Cup .
Turner will field the BMW M4 GT4 in the Michelin Pilot Challenge 24-entry GS class with drivers Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley joined by Vin Barletta. Barletta joins the Auberlen and Foley duo for the first time with the team on the 3.4 mile 11-turn historic road racing circuit.
Both Turner BMWs will display LMC Industrial Contractors signage incorporated into the blue and yellow liveries to mark a new race partnership with a local company in the Watkins Glen area.
Last year, the Turner BMW M6 GT3 of Markus Palttala, Dillon Machavern and Don Yount captured a hard-fought win after starting in thirteenth position and fighting their way up to the front through some clever driving and strategy calls.
The GTD winning BMW crossed the line just one second in front of the competition to record a big win for the team in some of the hottest weather in recent history. This year, Dillon Machavern will look to continue his success here at the famed road course.
“The win last year was truly one of the highlights of my racing career,” said Dillon Machavern. “It was such a big accomplishment of the entire team to put together such a story book type race. The pit stops were perfect, the car was flawless and the driver lineup did what we needed to do. Looking forward to a good weekend at the Glen.”
Last year’s win came after a 2017 second place podium for the team and a dominating win in 2014. Auberlen and Foley come into this weekend at Watkins Glen looking to continue the hard work the duo has put in throughout the season and capitalize on an opportunity for strong results at a track with a history of positive outcomes for the team.
“It is no doubt, the Turner BMWs have been a strong force at the Glen over the recent years but I think we will still have our work cut out for us to compete on such a high level with all the other fifteen GTD contenders out there,” said Robby Foley. “We have been working hard as a team so I am optimistic for a fun weekend ahead.”
In addition to the GTD program focus, Auberlen and Foley will be debuting the Turner BMW M4 at the Glen with Vin Barletta.
“We are looking forward to having Vin (Barletta) join us,” said Robby Foley. “I have known him for a while now and have been working with him and coaching him a lot so I am happy he’s jumping in a Turner car with us this weekend.”
The Turner BMW M4 GT4 begins practice on Thursday to qualify Friday at 1:25pm EST and take the green flag for the four-hour Tioga Downs 240 on Saturday at 1:55pm EST.
The No. 96 Turner BMW M6 GTD entry will begin practice Friday and qualify on Saturday morning at 11:35am EST streamed live on IMSA.com. The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen takes the green flag Sunday, June 30th at 9:45am EST and will be live on NBC Sports Network.
