BMW drivers Connor De Phillippi and Nick Yelloly can now rejoice their first Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) victory, regardless of crossing the end line second to the #6 Porsche 963.
In post-race technical inspection, the Porsche was discovered to have a chassis skid plate measuring thinner than the authorized minimal. It was moved to the rear of the category ending order, which elevated the #25 BMW to first place.
After receiving official notification from IMSA of the post-race technical penalty in Sunday’s race, Porsche Penske Motorsport subsequently requested a protest.
IMSA supervisory officers reviewed paperwork offered by PPM however didn’t discover something that might have overturned the penalty determination. Official race outcomes and level standings had been launched on Thursday morning with the penalty upheld.
“Clearly, we’re happy by IMSA’s technical group determination,” mentioned BMW M Crew RLL staff principal Bobby Rahal. “There’s nothing like profitable, however I used to be most proud of the tempo of the BMW M Hybrid V8 all through the Watkins Glen race.
“My due to everybody at BMW who’ve labored so diligently on each side of the Atlantic over a really intense time period on the new-era GTP program.
“Our guys had been in Munich beginning final July helping with the automobile builds. We acquired the vehicles in September and started testing in October. 5 races into the season, we’re winners.”
#25: BMW M Crew RLL, BMW M Hybrid V8, GTP: Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Photographs
De Phillippi, Yelloly and the BMW squad had been crushed to overlook out on claiming victory on the monitor at Watkins Glen, however they realized of the Porsche’s infraction and had been provisionally awarded the win later Sunday night.
The victory has vaulted the #25 duo from fifth to second within the GTP standings, 64 factors behind the #31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac of Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims.
“We didn’t understand how insane of a feat it has been for us to win contemplating we had been the final producer to start out this system,” De Phillippi mentioned. “Contemplating the place we had been at [the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in January], it’s been an countless grind.
“We’ve had authentic tempo on the final couple races and we’ve confirmed that we’re within the combine now. We’re going to proceed to maintain pushing, and I believe everybody realizes now that we’re a risk for the championship and race wins.
“I believe we’ve type of taken everyone unexpectedly as a result of we had been the final to the celebration, however we’ve been swinging above our weight class your entire yr, particularly from Sebring onwards.
“That’s one thing we’re all happy with, however we need to be dominant and we’re not going to cease pushing till we get the place we need to be.”
