Auberlen to make 500th race in a BMW at 12 Hours of Sebring

MANILA: For over 25 years, racing driver Bill Auberlen has been associated with victory and BMW. Before joining The Ultimate Driving Machine team in 1996, he was an IMSA winner, and he has proceeded to win in every BMW racing car he has driven over the last quarter-century. The 53-year-old Californian now holds the record for most IMSA pole positions (45) and victories (64) and will make his 500th race in a BMW racing car at the 70th 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19. That puts him ahead of every other BMW driver in the world.

Auberlen is known for breaking records, and it was recently revealed that he would be inducted into the Motorsports Walk of Fame on April 7.

In a statement, Auberlen said, “When I look back on 500 races with BMW, I am humbled and proud. When I look at 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 honored.”

Auberlen was raised in Redondo Beach, California, just north of Long Beach. In 2013 and 2015, he won the GT class, and he has nine top-five finishes in 14 races dating back to 1990. At the 24 Hours of Daytona, he won his class twice, while at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he made it into the top five twice. A six-time professional auto racing champion, Auberlen now competes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for Turner Motorsport in the No. 96 BMW M4 GT3.

The on-track activity at Sebring International Raceway, which runs from March 16 to 19, will be concluded by the 12 Hours of Sebring race.

As part of the festivities for the 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the 16th annual Motorsports Walk of Fame ceremony will be held on South Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.

Photos from BMW

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