Burton Racing COTA Pre-Race Report

Burton Racing returns to IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge action this weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and it’s a big weekend for the team as the Indianapolis-based squad fields a two-car BMW effort and plays host to a large group of BMW guests.

Mike LaMarra and Terry Borcheller are back in the No. 23 BMW Automotive Chemicals/ 303 Products BMW 128i, and IMSA newcomer Josh Bilicki returns to the team alongside co-driver Joe Koenig after a tremendous debut at Road America in the No. 21 Trim-Tex Drywall Products BMW 128i.

The world-class COTA facility, which stages the annual Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, is a prime location for race fans from all over the world. As part of a nationwide sales incentive program through BMW, Burton Racing will have BMW dealers on hand from all across the country this weekend at the world-class facility. 

“It is pretty exciting for us to continue to be a part of how BMW Automotive Chemicals markets themselves and in this case, how they reward their high-performing dealers,” said team manager Keith Burton. “It think it is going to be a fun weekend for everyone, and the track is a great place to stage this kind of thing because the dealers are coming from all over for this race.”

When Burton Racing made its first run at Circuit of the Americas in 2013, LaMarra and Borcheller stood on the podium following an impressive drive around the challenging 3.427-mile Texas circuit. Last year, the team’s No. 22 BMW entry finished fourth in some treacherous rainy conditions.

This year, LaMarra and Borcheller aim for a return to the COTA podium as the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race is held as part of the big double-header Lone Star Le Mans event featuring the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.

Bilicki and co-driver Koenig mark a strong combination of experience, speed, and race craft as the duo is set to take on the Austin circuit.

Koenig has shown himself to have a keen eye for talent, the performance of Bilicki at Road America underscored that reputation as the Trim-Tex driver led eight laps in his IMSA debut in August.

Koenig, who has raced in various SCCA events this year, will make his first IMSA start of the season this weekend.

“Josh (Bilicki) did a really good job for us at Road America and we are really excited about him being back in the car with me again this weekend at COTA,” said Koenig. “We will have another good group of Trim-Tex customers and friends with us this weekend, and I’m going to admit that I’m also really looking forward to racing on this track!”

The first practice session of the weekend will be held on Wednesday, followed by an additional practice session and qualifying on Thursday. The 2.5-hour race is set to go green at 12:40 PM Central Time with LIVE streaming on IMSA.com.

Follow @Burton_Racing on Twitter for LIVE race updates.

FOX Sports 1 will televise the event on Sunday, September 27 at 1:30 PM ET.