Palttala Returns to Turner for Watkins Glen

Photo: Scott LePage/IMSA

Markus Palttala will return to the wheel of Turner Motorsport’s BMW M6 GT3 in this weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, as part of a revised driver lineup for the third round of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.

The Finn, who last drove for the team at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, will be joined by Don Yount and Dillon Machavern.

It comes after a two-race stint by BMW factory driver Bill Auberlen, who rejoins BMW Team RLL for Watkins Glen.

“It’s been a couple years since racing at The Glen, this is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the IMSA schedule,” said Palttala. “I really enjoy coming to the States to race with Turner so looking forward to this weekend and being back in the No. 96 BMW M6 GT3 with Don and Dillon.” 

Palttala, Yount and Machavern teamed for an 11th place class finish at Sebring, while reigning Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge champion Machavern also took part in the third round of the GT Daytona season at Mid-Ohio, alongside Auberlen.

Turner BMWs have led laps in each of its previous appearances in the six-hour race, winning in 2014 with Palttala and Dane Cameron, along with a runner-up finish in 2012 and third in class last year.

“I feel like we were just at Sebring where we had a strong weekend so with a couple more races into the season, I’m confident we will have a good weekend especially with the return of Markus and Dillon paired up in the M6 GT3,” Yount added.

The No. 96 BMW will be sporting a special patriotic livery this weekend and at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in honor of Fourth of July.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John