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Reid impresses on Daytona debut in BMW Endurance Challenge

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Daytona debutant and 2019 Sunoco 240 Challenge winner Kyle Reid capped off a superb weekend by not only starting the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge race at Daytona but taking the chequered flag as well.

Cheered on by friends and family, Kyle qualified the Fast Track Racing / Classic BMW Sunoco-liveried M4 GT4 during Thursday evening’s 15-minute session, clocking a time of 1:55.287, 22nd overall, and third fastest BMW driver on the 49-car grid.

Making up four places in the opening two laps of the race, the Mini Challenge Cooper Pro Champion kept things steady before pitting during a full-course yellow at the 45-minute mark and handing over driving duties. Sound strategy meant the car led the race at half distance, but unavoidable contact with a spinning Audi cost the outfit six laps as repairs were made.

Further misfortune befell the team as a puncture necessitated another stop, though this provided Kyle with the chance for a final stint to bring the car home to the flag on his Daytona debut. Despite a 30th place finish, the team was just a moment of misfortune away from what could have been a spectacular result.

“I’ve loved everything about it,” said Kyle. “The start of the race was something else, going into turn one with 49 cars on the grid. In every mirror there was a car, so I just picked a line and managed to get through. I made up four places and then handed over to Jayson [Clunie].

“The car was leading at one point, but we picked up some damage when Toby [Grahovec] had contact and it lost us six laps, but it meant I was able to get back in the car to take the chequered flag which was special.

“I’ve gained so much experience and knowledge of driving a GT4 car and I’ve loved it. The team have been fantastic; they’ve welcomed me with open arms. I was worried coming in, but we’ve come away the quickest driver in the car and you never know, I might be back racing here in the US. It’s an amazing experience and something I’ll always remember and be able to tell the grandchildren about. I just need to thank Anders and Sunoco for the opportunity.”

“Kyle did exceptionally well, considering he came from a Mini Cooper and we placed him in a completely alien environment with 31-degree banking and a BMW M4 GT4 race car that is four times the power and rear wheel drive,” said Anders Hildebrand, Anglo American Oil Company Managing Director.

“After two days of testing Kyle was on the pace of the team manager and pro driver and the team were so impressed that they let him not only qualify but start the race. Unfortunately, there was a little incident half way through that meant we didn’t get the result we wanted but until then the car was on the pace and Kyle did us very proud.”

Daytona debutants look forward to new Challenge

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2019 Sunoco Challenge winners Linus Lundquist and Kyle Reid are set to make their racing debuts at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway this weekend (January 24-27) for the Rolex 24.

Having taken part in the Roar Before The 24 earlier this month, both have now turned their first laps around the 31-degree banking and challenging infield course, but this weekend will be the first real test, with practice, qualifying, and the races held over three packed days.

Linus Lindqvist battles torrential rain in the #47 Precision Performance Motorsports (PPM) Lamborghini Huracan GT3, GTD at the 2019 Roar Before the Rolex 24.

Linus, making Sunoco Whelen Challenge history as the first winner to climb aboard a car in the competitive GTD class of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, will be carrying the flag for the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship as reigning Champion. He will have just under two hours of practice in which to acclimatise, while sharing his Precision Performance Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo with three other teammates, before qualifying takes place on Thursday afternoon.

Kyle Reid takes to the famous 31-degree banking in the #26 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW M4 GT4 in the 2019 Roar Before the Rolex 24.

Kyle, the latest Sunoco 240 Challenge winner, represents Mini Challenge as the Cooper Pro class Champion, and will be competing aboard a Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW M4 GT4 in the BMW Endurance Challenge At Daytona, branded in the classic Sunoco blue colour scheme. Like Linus, Kyle will also have around two hours of track time, shared with his teammates, before qualifying later on Thursday.

The action picks up on Friday, January 25, as the four-hour BMW Endurance Challenge At Daytona takes place, before the main event, the Rolex 24 At Daytona, on Saturday for 24 gruelling hours of racing. Both drivers’ progress will be covered on Sunoco UK’s social media channels (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

Linus Lundqvist, Sunoco Whelen Challenge winner 

“We did a few laps and felt more comfortable in the car during the Roar Before the 24. It was interesting to see our rivals’ speed and compare where we stand. The circuit is not too technical, but it is a learning process with the team and how endurance racing works, so we’ll see how things unfold.

“I’d like to think my experience with aero in BRDC British Formula 3 has helped me with the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO. It’s heavy and different to drive, especially with ABS and traction control, but it is fun, and I am looking forward to taking part in the Rolex 24.”

Kyle Reid, Sunoco 240 Challenge winner

“It was an awesome experience at the Roar Before The 24. The guys gave me an opportunity to do a qualifying run in practice so hopefully I get to qualify the car for the race itself. It was a great learning experience with a new team, new track, and new car. I felt I improved every session and the team were happy with me.

“Hopefully we can improve towards the race. The times kept falling and we think the time will come to us before the race and we’ll be right on the pace.”