BMW Z4 GTE

On August 23th the Oak Tree Grand Prix will be run. The two hour and forty minute race at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) is the eighth of the season in the TUDOR United Sportscar Racing Series and looks like it should be a very good one.

BMW is hoping to have a good race as they are just three points behind Porsche for the GTLM manufactures points championship. They had been the class points leader going into the last competition at Road America, but disappointing fifth and sixth place class finishes allowed Porsche to get the advantage.

Dirk Werner, driver, No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM: “VIR is another track in our calendar with a wonderful layout that is quite unique. I have great memories of it because I won my first American sports car race there in 2007. As a team we have to work hard before and during the race to get back in shape for the championship fight. I am ready to push hard again.”

Bill Auberlen, driver, No. 25 BMW Z4 GTLM: “This year continues to be one of the most competitive I can remember. Early on, it seemed to be the Corvettes that posed our biggest challenge. Now Porsche has won the last three rounds. I think the championship will come down to the last race and this weekend’s GT only event will be a very good indicator of who will be the favorite for the title.”

Lucas Luhr, driver, No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM: “VIR is awesome, it is one of my favorite tracks in the USA. I miss seeing the Oak Tree. There was something quite special about that. The circuit is so fast but also surprisingly technical – a real challenge for a driver. John and I still have a chance for the drivers title and so do our teammates. More importantly, we are in a very big fight for the manufacturer championship. We have to get as many points as possible this weekend. With only two rounds after VIR, as usual every point is important and now this late in the season we cannot afford to lose any.”

John Edwards, driver, No. 24 BMW Z4 GTLM: “Last year’s race at VIR was an intense one. We were close to the fight for the win, but didn’t quite have the pace to force our way past anyone. However, our car has been faster this year than it was last year so I’m hopeful that we can move up the podium as we move into the most crucial part of the season. Although Lucas and I have dropped back a bit in the points, BMW is still in a tight battle for the manufacturer’s championship and we don’t plan on letting Porsche steal it away from us in the last part of the season.”

We will see how BMW and Porsche do in the battle when the Oak Tree Grand Prix at VIR starts at 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, August 23. The race will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ET.