IMSA: Rahal confident RLL will continue with BMW GTLM program

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Rumors have circulated involving almost every aspect of BMW's factory sports car program in North America, including questions over which team that will run the two-car effort next season in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

BMW Team RLL principal Bobby Rahal, whose outfit has run the German manufacturer's ALMS GT2/GT and TUDOR Championship GTLM programs since 2009 (BELOW), told RACER he expects to field the brand's V8-powered Z4s in 2015.

"[BMW] have a corporate policy where they have to extend bids out each season, but I'm confident we'll continue running the program next year," he said after noting he'd heard the names Andretti Autosport and Chip Ganassi Racing mentioned among other possible bidders.

"That's just my own feeling. All you have to do is look at the track record, and ours is as good as any. I would have no doubt BMW would talk with top teams, just as they do every year, and make their decision based on who they feel will do the best job."

Rahal's ties run deep with BMW; along with owning BMW dealerships, his company also maintains and runs the marque's impressive fleet of vintage racing cars in America. A change to the GTLM program – especially at this late of a juncture – would also be a surprise with the 2015 season right around the corner.

"Things are progressing," Rahal continued. "BMW Motorsport seems to be very happy with us, and we're testing next month, so there's not much off-season between now and the Roar [Before the 24] in early January, and then we start the season at the end of January. We're preparing just as we normally do for next year, and BMW is going through their annual review process just like they normally do. There's no alarm bells ringing on my end, let's put it that way."​