BMW M Team WRT Prepares for IMSA GTP Debut
Overview
As BMW M Team WRT gears up for its first full season in American motorsport, programming director Bernhard Demmer outlines the rapid establishment of the team’s North American headquarters in Kannapolis, North Carolina. By forming a strategic alliance with the Haas campus, the team gains vital access to essential racing facilities.
Strategic Location
Demmer highlighted the decision-making process behind the team’s placement, noting the potential of both Indianapolis and Charlotte. Ultimately, aligning with Haas’s resources proved beneficial. “We are sub-renting from them…having access to all their racing facilities has been a great help,” Demmer said, emphasizing the operational support from Haas, including shared services like power and security.
Team Assembly and Culture
WRT has assembled a diverse team of 39 personnel, incorporating talent from the IMSA circuit and drawing on past collaborations. Demmer’s strategy involved mixing American and European experience to foster synergy. “We will have a mixture…prefer people who have IMSA experience,” he stated, as he pivoted from his previous roles to secure key positions.
Driver Lineup and Objectives
For the impending Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team echoes WRT’s storied legacy, which boasts 36 Drivers’ and 32 Teams’ titles globally in GT and LMP2 racing. Demmer remains focused on the fundamentals, stating, “At the moment, the main focus of the whole team is to kind of nail the basics.” He aims for operational excellence, particularly regarding communication, pit stops, and vehicle reliability.
Looking Forward
As BMW M Team WRT embarks on this ambitious chapter, discussions around the potential for an independent American base are on the horizon. Demmer encapsulated the sentiment surrounding this endeavor, noting, “I’m really excited…but I’m also very careful…this is such a big challenge.”
As race day approaches, the anticipation builds for how this newly-formed entity will compete in the highly competitive IMSA GTP landscape.
