Racing News Article #535 | Turner Motorsport

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Racing News Article #535

Turner Motorsport Looking to Make More History at VIRginia International Raceway

Newton, NH --- Aug. 24, 2023

Turner Motorsport and VIRginia International Raceway have shared some great races over the years. In 2020, Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley made IMSA history when their GTD class win in a Turner BMW M6 GT3 earned Auberlen his 61st IMSA victory and the distinction of being IMSA’s all-time win leader. The win came only one day before the duo won the Michelin Pilot Challenge race in a Turner BMW M4 GT4 and the Turner team scored a double podium. That's right Bill and Robby won in the No. 95 and shared the podium with Vin who finished P3 in the No. 96 with, you guessed it, Robby. One driver double podium!. The Turner team is enjoying a strong 2023 season and good results at VIR this weekend are paramount to the season’s great finish.

Will Turner said, “VIR and the Michelin GT Challenge weekend have been among our most successful events. From Bill’s record-setting 61st IMSA victory in 2020 to the strength of our Michelin Pilot Challenge races VIR, Turner and BMW are well-matched. This year we’ll be looking to add two more strong VP Challenge races as we look to secure the GSX crown for Francis.

WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – BMW M4 GT3

Both of the Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 will be looking to regain some momentum at VIR. The last race at Road America saw a sixth-place finish by Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull, driving the No. 97 McIntosh BMW M4 GT3. The No. 96 Belle Haven Investments BMW M4 GT3, of Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher, finished in 12th-place, one lap down to their Turner teammates, after running out of fuel on the final lap. Auberlen has four GT class wins at the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR (2002, 2004, 2005, and 2020) – the most of any driver in the field. Foley has the win with Auberlen in 2020.

Michelin Pilot Challenge – BMW M4 GT4

Betting against a Grand Sport class Turner BMW M4 at VIR is not recommended. Since the 2020 season the team has seen four top-five finishes, including the 2020 victory. This season the team has two 1-2 finishes (Sebring and Watkins Glen) and brings a very strong effort to VIR. Vin Barletta and Robby Foley stand second in GS driver points. Teammates Robert Megennis and Cameron Lawrence stand 11th.

VP Racing Challenge

With only four races left in the 2023 VP Racing Challenge season, Francis Selldorff will be looking to add to his 90-point GSX class lead at VIR before the final two races during the Petit Le Mans weekend. He finished fourth and third in the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 at the most recent round at Lime Rock Park to take over the points lead. Turner teammate Vin Barletta finished fifth and fourth at LRP in the No. 96 BMW.

The weekend begins with practice for all classes and IMPC qualifying on Friday, Aug. 25. Saturday will see VP Challenge race No. 1, the two-hour IMPC race and IWSC qualifying. Following VP Challenge race No. 2, the two-hour-and-forty-minute Michelin GT Challenge race takes the green flag at 2:10 p.m. Sunday. The race will be broadcast live on USA Network.

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