Bimmerworld, BGB Partner for Next Level European Cayman ST Effort

Bimmerworld will go outside its normal realm of development with a two-car Porsche Cayman effort in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge ST class, in addition to its existing two-car BMW program.

The Bimmerworld Cayman program will operate under the new Next Level European banner, and will feature the pair of new Caymans built by Porsche specialists BGB Motorsports – run with BGB’s traditional No. 38 and 83.

“Next Level European is the expansion of our BimmerWorld racing businesses,” said BimmerWorld and NLE owner James Clay. “We know our traditional BMW customers often have a couple of BMWs in the garage, but many also have a Porsche, Audi, or similar.

“We continue to have great success racing the BMWs we’ve developed at BimmerWorld, but our skills apply to other marques as well, and this gives us a new opportunity and the flexibility to bring more European brands into our racing program.”

John Tecce, BGB Motorsports director, expanded on the partnership.

“We are excited to be part of this program,” Tecce said. “We spent many years racing these cars and the urge never dies.

“The fact that we were considered to do this by someone I regard as one of the finest builders of BMW race cars is beyond flattering.

“James’ group and ours have similar cultures; his guys have the organization, the tools, and the wherewithal to win a Championship, and we are building the platform to achieve that goal in 2015.

“It will make a few eyes watery in January see the familiar 38 and 83 Porsche Caymans at Daytona again, albeit under a different banner.”

BGB returns to CTSC after a year’s hiatus. The team last raced in 2013, campaigning entries in both CTSC and also a Cayman in the GRAND-AM Rolex Series’ GX class.

No drivers were named for the NLE lineup, however Motion Control Suspension, Performance Friction Brakes, and Red Line Oil will be on board as technical partners.

Greg Liefooghe, who co-drove with Tyler Cooke a year ago, is expected to be part of the driver lineup within one of the two cars.

As for the existing BMWs, those cars are being developed from being the 328 E90 chassis into the 328 F30. Cooke and Andrei Hartanto will share the No. 81, and Clay and Jason Briedis will be in the No. 84 car.