Turner Working on 2017 GTD Return

Photo: Scott LePage/IMSA

Turner Motorsport’s two funded drivers from its 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign will not return to the team next year, leaving the longtime BMW squad searching for new support to continue its GT Daytona class effort.

The Will Turner-owned team, which scored two class victories this year with Jens Klingmann and Bret Curtis, has seen both Curtis and longtime Turner driver Michael Marsal put their programs on hold.

It’s left Turner with a search for funding at the 11th hour, ahead of next month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“With such a great season under our belt with the M6 GT3, we plan to continue the success into 2017 with all that we learned in 2016.” Turner said.

“Both Michael Marsal and Bret Curtis have chosen to step away from racing in 2017 to focus on their growing businesses. So we are now seeking new funded drivers to continue our efforts and program into 2017 and beyond.”

While the team fielded two BMW M6 GT3s for the full WeatherTech Championship this year, Turner said a switch to Pirelli World Challenge is also an option at this point, depending on customer interest.

Turner previously confirmed it will campaign three BMW M235iR cars in the PWC TC class, but has yet to announce drivers for that program.

“We are very excited about the M235iR program in the Pirelli World Challenge,” Turner said.

“It’s amazing how much interest we have had in these cars and this program so I’m looking forward to finalizing our driver line up and getting to work for the 2017 season which will be here before we know it.”

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