IMSA: Auberlen To Start Race Number 500 For BMW at Sebring 12 Hour

Racing driver Bill Auberlen has been synonymous with winning and BMW for some 25 years. He was an IMSA winner before he signed on with The Ultimate Driving Machine® in 1996 and he has continued to be a winner in every BMW racing car he has driven in the past quarter century. The 53-year-old Californian sits at the top of the all-time IMSA pole position (45) and victories (64) list and on March 19th he will make his 500th start in a BMW racing car at the 70th Twelve Hours of Sebring. That’s more than any other BMW driver on the planet.

Breaking records is an Auberlen hallmark, and it was recently announced that he will be honored with his induction to the Motorsports Walk of Fame on April 7th, the day before practice begins for the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.

“When I look back on 500 races with BMW, I am humbled and proud,” said Auberlen. “When I look to 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, a native Californian, grew up in Redondo Beach, just north of Long Beach. He was a GT class winner in 2013 and 2015 and has a total of nine top-five finishes in 14 starts dating back to 1990. He has been a class winner at the 24 Hours of Daytona twice and finished in the top five twice at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A six-time professional auto racing champion, Auberlen currently drives the No. 96 BMW M4 GT3 for Turner Motorsport in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

On-track action at Sebring International Raceway runs from March 16-19, capped off by the Twelve Hours of Sebring race that begins at 10:10 a.m. ET Saturday, March 19. Peacock’s live streaming coverage starts at 10 a.m., with USA picking up the NBC Sports telecast at 3:30 p.m. through the end of the race. IMSA Radio also provides a flag-to-flag broadcast.

The 16th annual Motorsports Walk of Fame ceremony, open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m. PT on South Pine Avenue in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center as part of the festivities surrounding the 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.