On 16 February, BimmerWorld Racing announced their 2022 SRO Motorsports America activities, with a two-car GT3 programme in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, and a single-car entry in the Pirelli GT4 America series.
With the highly anticipated arrival of the BMW M4 GT3, BimmerWorld team principal James Clay had his sights set on making the jump from GT4 to GT3 for 2022. In November of 2021 Clay was selected as one of five drivers to pilot the very first M4 GT3 on American soil, which gave him a first look at the amazing machine that BMW Motorsport created and some very valuable seat time.
“The M4 GT3 is a very well thought out and designed car,” Clay explained. “It was intuitive to drive and nicely composed. I can’t wait for our team to dig in and really start learning the new machine!”
Clay, who finished 10th in last year’s GT4 America Pro-Am Cup, and won the GT4 class at last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour race, will share the number 36 BMW M4 GT3 with Ari Balogh, who previously raced with BimmerWorld back in 2017.
“Ari was last with us in BimmerWorld-built ST cars, so the GT3 is obviously a different thing. [He] has been busy in GT4, GT3, LMP3, LMP2, and a range of other equipment and series, so I know he’s well-prepared for his first GT3 season, and I’m thrilled to have him back with us and as my co-driver for the first time,” Clay said of his co-driver.
The number 94 BimmerWorld M4 GT3 will be driven by BMW Motorsport legend Bill Auberlen, who was sixth in last year’s GT4 America Pro-Am Cup, and Chandler Hull, who was sixth in the Silver Cup of the same series. Auberlen and Hull joined Clay in last year’s class-winning entry at the Indy 8h.
“Bill obviously has a wealth of experience in BMW cars, including several previous GT3 generations, and was at the American rollout of the M4 last year, which will be super helpful as we develop the new car.”
“Chandler has also gained tremendous experience already this year in the M4 GT3 in the Creventic Dubai 24h and the four Asian LeMans series races, so I think everyone is really well-prepared to make this inaugural season a great one.”
Both BimmerWorld M4 GT3s will take part in the Pro-Am Cup of GT World Challenge America.
BimmerWorld will maintain its presence in GT4 America SprintX with a single M4 GT4, the number 82 of Devin Jones, a newcomer to SRO competition, but a known commodity within BimmerWorld, winning an IMSA ST class title with Clay in 2018. Joining him is third-year SRO driver James Walker Jnr, who was Auberlen’s co-driver last season in GT4 America.
“I love both of these guys, and am excited to have them together in a car for the season,” said Clay of his GT4 duo. “They have both been successful with BimmerWorld and the M4 GT4, and they are both important to the continuity and culture of our team.”
