Spengler to Make 24H Le Mans Debut with ByKolles

ByKolles Racing has signed BMW IMSA driver Bruno Spengler to its LMP1 lineup for the 6 Hours of Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It means that Spengler will make his debut at Le Mans, as well as race in a prototype and in the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time.

The 36-year-old Canadian will drive the No. 4 ENSO CLM P1/01 Gibson with Tom Dillmann and another driver whose identity is yet to be confirmed.

Spengler recently sampled the ByKolles LMP1 in a test at the Nürburgring and is also getting behind the wheel of the car this week at Paul Ricard prior to his race debut.

“Our team is facing its tenth start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said ByKolles Racing’s head of operations Boris Bermes.

“At this small anniversary, we want to make every effort to achieve a good result in the hard-fought LMP1 class.

“Bruno is well experienced and is familiar with all the tricks of the trade in motorsport. He has been successful everywhere and no doubt he will showcase his outstanding abilities in the LMP1 car as well.”

Spengler joined BMW Team RLL’s full-season GT Le Mans lineup in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2020 after 15 consecutive seasons in the DTM series.

He has been a BMW stalwart since signing joining the manufacturer from Mercedes at the start of 2012 and won the DTM title in his first year with Team Schnitzer.

Spengler has never tackled the 24 Hours of Le Mans before, although his endurance racing experience includes three appearances in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with BMW.

His only WEC appearance to date came in the inaugural 1000 Miles of Sebring last year with BMW Team MTEK.

“With the start in Le Mans, a long-held dream comes true”, said Spengler.

“I know endurance racing, I’ve raced at the Nürburgring and have taken part in the North American classics in Daytona and Sebring. Now, finally, my debut at the greatest endurance race will follow.

“I was born in Alsace, France so the desire to go to Le Mans is naturally born, so to say. The excitement for my debut in Le Mans is increasing with every kilometer in the car.”