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The De Phillippi/Spengler #25 M8 GTE, looking resplendent in the new Motul livery, finished in 4th place at Daytona, but it could have been much better, a late splash and dash to take on fuel destroyed any chance of a race win or podium.
Daytona ends in disappointment for BMW… Following the C-19 pandemic, the IMSA-WeatherTech Sportscar Championship resumed with the IMSA WeatherTech 240 race at Daytona on July 4th, which was rather apt. A positive qualifying session saw the Edwards/Krohn #24 M8 GTE looking ‘racy’ and qualifying third in the GTLM Class and the sister car of De Phillippi/ Spengler qualifying fourth, things were looking good for the BMW RLL Team. After a positive race start, both M8 GTEs were running strongly, battling a Porsche 911 RSR and a pair of the new and spectacular looking mid-
engined Corvette C8.Rs for the lead. After eight laps the #24 M8 GTE slipped into the lead and both BMWs spent a significant amount of time running 1-2. Unfortunately the team hadn’t quite got their fuel calculations correct and an extra stop for fuel near the end of the race hit both BMWs hard, demoting the De Phillippi/Spengler #25 M8 GTE to fourth place at race end, while the sister
The Edwards/Krohn #24 M8 GTE was quick all weekend at Daytona, qualifying 3rd and running in first place for a while, but a fuelling miscalculation by the team cost the #24 car dearly.
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BMW Car Club Magazine August 2020
car of Edwards and Krohn came home in a disappointing sixth spot. With the BMWs needing the extra splash and dash refuel, it left a pair of Porsche 911 RSRs and the lead Corvette C8.R battling for GTLM Class honours, and at the chequered flag the Corvette swept home to take the class race win, delighting the crowd on Independence Day! The De Phillippi/Spengler M8 GTE was unlucky not to come home third, with the Makowiecki/Tandy 911 RSR just pipping the BMW at the chequered flag. The next round of the IMSAWeathertech Sportscar Championship takes place on July 18th at Sebring.
Both the BMW M8 GTEs carried the #ForzaAlex message at Daytona, as did many on the F1 grid in Austria in support of Alex Zanardi, who remained in a critical condition as Straight Six went to press.
www.bmwcarclubgb.uk
