The 73rd edition of the Twelve Hours of Sebring, scheduled for March 15, 2025, marks a momentous occasion as BMW North America commemorates its 50th anniversary. The endurance race holds a special place in BMW’s history, with the brand’s journey in North America beginning with a landmark victory at Sebring in 1975. In honor of this milestone, BMW M Team RLL will feature a special anniversary livery on its BMW M Hybrid V8 race cars throughout the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) season.

Paying Tribute to Five Decades of Excellence

BMW North America was officially founded on March 15, 1975, and just days later, the BMW 3.0 CSL claimed the brand’s first major sports car victory on U.S. soil at Sebring. This historic win marked the beginning of a triumphant motorsport legacy. The commemorative livery on the BMW M Hybrid V8 showcases key achievements from 1975 to the present, integrated within the track silhouette of Sebring.

Adding to the significance of this event, Jochen Neerpasch, the co-founder and first managing director of BMW Motorsport GmbH, and Brian Redman, a member of the 1975 winning team, will be present to celebrate the anniversary. BMW’s commitment to racing excellence remains unwavering, as the BMW M Hybrid V8s will continue to sport this special livery for the entirety of the IWSC season.

The Challenge at Sebring

Sebring represents the second race of the 2025 IWSC season, following the season opener at Daytona in January, where BMW M Team RLL vied for an overall podium finish in the GTP class. The endurance classic in Florida provides another opportunity for BMW to extend its legacy, with BMW M Motorsport teams competing across multiple categories.

In the GTD-PRO class, Paul Miller Racing will field two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs, emerging as a strong contender, while Turner Motorsport aims for victory in the GTD class with its BMW M4 GT3 EVO entry. The 12-hour race commences at 10:10 AM local time (15:10 CET) on March 15 and will be streamed live at www.imsa.tv.

BMW’s Vision for the Anniversary Season

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, emphasized the significance of Sebring in BMW’s motorsport journey. “Sebring and BMW M Motorsport share a very special bond. This track has played an outstanding role in our history in North America, which now spans half a century. We are excited for the anniversary weekend, and our goal is to add new milestones to those already displayed on the liveries of our BMW M Hybrid V8s.”

He further highlighted BMW’s recent advancements in performance, stating, “We have already shown at Daytona and at the FIA WEC season opener in Qatar that we have made another significant step forward with our LMDh car. This gives us confidence for a strong performance in the GTP class. Our new BMW M4 GT3 EVO has also immediately demonstrated its winning potential. Celebrating 50 years of BMW North America with corresponding results would be fantastic.”

BMW M Motorsport Line-ups

GTP Class – BMW M Team RLL:

24 BMW M Hybrid V8: Philipp Eng (AUT), Dries Vanthoor (BEL), Kevin Magnussen (DEN)#25 BMW M Hybrid V8: Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Marco Wittmann (GER), Robin Frijns (NED)

GTD-PRO Class – Paul Miller Racing:

1 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: Madison Snow (USA), Neil Verhagen (USA), Connor De Phillippi (USA)#48 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER), Jesse Krohn (FIN)

GTD Class – Turner Motorsport:

96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO: Robby Foley (USA), Patrick Gallagher (USA), Jake Walker (USA)

Conclusion

BMW North America’s 50th anniversary celebration at Sebring underscores its enduring legacy in motorsport. The special livery of the BMW M Hybrid V8 serves as a tribute to decades of racing triumphs, while the teams prepare to add new milestones to the brand’s storied history. With strong contenders across multiple categories, BMW M Motorsport is poised for an exceptional performance at the 12-hour endurance classic, reinforcing its reputation as a dominant force in sports car racing.