The 70th Twelve Hours of Sebring will mark the 500th start in a BMW for Bill Auberlen as he tries to add a win in the Turner Motorsport M4 GT3 to a record that has, thus far, seen the 53 year old take wins in every BMW racing car he has driven in the past quarter century.
Since signing with BMW in 1996 Auberlen has scored all-time IMSA pole position records (45) and victories (64) and that record will be honoured with his induction to the Motorsports Walk of Fame on April 7th, the day before practice begins for the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.
“When I look back on 500 races with BMW, I am humbled and proud,” said Auberlen. “When I look to what the next seasons may bring, I say bring on race number 600! It feels appropriate that my 500th for BMW comes at Sebring as the 12 Hour is a special race for me. In 1985, I was the truck driver and crew for my father’s win there. Ten years later I scored my first win at the 12 Hour. My induction to the Motorsports Walk of Fame in Long Beach feels almost surreal. It’s kind of a “local kid makes good” thing and I am truly honoured.”
Six-time professional auto racing champion Auberlen was a GT class winner at Sebring in 2013 and 2015 and has a total of nine top-five finishes in 14 starts dating back to 1990. He has been a class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona twice and finished in the top five twice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
