Not only were the participants there to enjoy time with fellow BMW enthusiasts, they were there to cheer on all of the BMW’s taking part on the track in the two main races over the weekend. The highlight of which were the two BMW M6’s run by BMW Team RLL. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is a US race team co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former CBS Late Show host David Letterman and Mi-Jack co-owner Mike Lanigan. The team has been competing for over two decades and has compiled more than 30 victories and three championships in IndyCar and sportscar racing as well as a win at the 2004 Indy 500.

Drivers Bill Auberlen and Alexander Sims raced the No. 25 BMW Team RLL BMW M6 GTLM to its first victory at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen the previous weekend.

“It’s been a long year and a half without a win,” said Thomas Plucinsky, Manager, BMW Corporate Communications. “We’ve had a couple of podiums along the way but we really needed a first place and last weekend we got it. This car (BMW M6) retires at the end of this year so it is really important for us to have a win, and for the fans. Our fans are with us whether we are in the front or the back and it’s always great to give them a win. Next year we are racing an M8 GTE. We introduced an 8 series concept car a couple of months ago at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. That car will become a race car before it becomes a road car. We are going back to Le Mans next year and we are racing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the M8 GTE. It is a car that we are going to use in a few pro series.”

The Trillium Chapter of the BMW Club of Canada runs four Advanced Driving Schools during the year, in April, June, September and October at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. This means that participants of the driving schools can get out onto the same race track as the pros. The driving schools can accommodate drivers with all experience levels, from novice to advanced. They offer expert one-on-one instruction in-car, on-track and in the classroom.

Also on tap for club members, according to Greg Pleasance, Vice President of the BMW Club of Canada Trillium Chapter, is an exciting two-day Car Rally & Wine Tour at the end of September. The program is designed for couples, friends and families and takes participants on beautiful driving roads to several wineries in the Prince Edward County area, which is about 2 hours east of Toronto.

But the icing on the cake for motor racing fans and BMW enthusiasts were the two BMW Team RLL M6’s finished first and second in their class in the big race on Sunday. The No. 25 car of Bill Auberlen and Alexander Sims finished first and the No. 24 car of Martin Tomczyk and John Edwards finished second.

“Today is as good as it gets,” said Bill Auberlen, driver No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM. “Alex did a great job today no matter what the weather. I am proud to share my 57th win with him.”

“That was an awesome race!” said Alexander Sims, driver No. 25 BMW M6 GTLM. “There was quite a bit of ducking and diving, but even when the rain fell and we were still on slicks I believe we were the strongest car. Honestly, my first five or six laps were spent still getting comfortable with this track, but once I found the groove I really started to love this place.”

“What an exciting race!” said Martin Tomczyk, driver No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM which finished second. “We have all worked very hard to get to this point and a 1-2 is a fabulous result for BMW.”

“That was a stressful, but enjoyable race,” said John Edwards, driver of the No. 24 BMW M6 GTLM. “I had a great battle with (Patrick) Pilet in the Porsche. The rain made for a lot of close calls, but we came away with a one-two for the BMW M6 GTLM.”