The #25 M Hybrid V8 of Yelloly and Connor De Phillippi lost the lead in the final six minutes of the six-hour race at the iconic Watkins Glen track in upstate New York to the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963.
But the Nick Tandy/Mathieu Jaminet-crewed Porsche was stripped of victory when its underfloor skid block measured less than the permitted minimum thickness. The PPM team has since stated that it will “collect all of the data and follow the protest procedure” after claiming the front skid wear was “less than 1mm outside of the legal tolerance”.
The Rahal Letterman Lanigan-run BMW operation has made huge strides with its IMSA GTP program since a stuttering start in the Daytona 24 Hours and was months behind its opposition from Acura, Cadillac and Porsche in getting its LMDh car out on track.
But the car showed genuine pace throughout the Watkins Glen weekend, having already scored runner-up finishes at Sebring and Long Beach.
“We have been steadily improving, and the first win was within reach,” said Yelloly. “It wasn't the way we wanted to win, as we prefer to win on the track and celebrate on the podium.
“However, we gladly accept the victory nonetheless – after all, it is the first for the BMW M Hybrid V8 and also my first in the IMSA series.
“Therefore, it holds a special significance for all of us.”
Source: Autosport