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Sheldon van der Linde dominates Daytona Roar session: BMW’s thrilling start to 24-hour showdown

Redação by Redação
January 17, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Sheldon van der Linde dominates Daytona Roar session: BMW’s thrilling start to 24-hour showdown

Sheldon van der Linde Shatters Records in Daytona Roar’s Second Session for BMW!

In a thrilling display of speed and skill, Sheldon van der Linde has emerged as the fastest driver in the second session of the Daytona Roar Before the 24, a precursor to the highly-anticipated Daytona 24 Hours. This exciting event marks the official kick-off of the IMSA Sportscar Championship season, and van der Linde has put BMW firmly in the spotlight with an astonishing lap time of 1:36.742 in the #24 BMW M Hybrid V8.

The South African driver’s remarkable performance not only highlights his prowess behind the wheel but also signifies a monumental moment for Team WRT, BMW’s new factory partner in IMSA. Completing a staggering 51 laps during the session, van der Linde’s dominance signals BMW’s serious intentions for the upcoming race.

Hot on his heels was Tijmen van der Helm, who put up a valiant fight in the #85 JDC Miller Porsche 963, finishing just 0.138 seconds behind van der Linde. With 53 laps under his belt, van der Helm showcased impressive speed that could threaten for a podium finish come race day.

Following closely was the #7 Porsche, which had topped the first session. However, with Felipe Nasr absent and Lauren Heinrich behind the wheel this time, the team could only muster a time 0.166 seconds shy of van der Linde’s blistering pace. The tense competition continued with three Cadillacs rounding out the top spots, including Earl Bamber in the #31 Action Express Cadillac and Filipe Albuquerque in the #10 Wayne Taylor Cadillac.

In a stunning display of competitive spirit, Tom Blomqvist secured the eighth spot in the #60 Acura, with Kevin Magnussen in the #25 BMW and Ross Gunn in the #23 Aston Martin THOR Valkyrie completing the top ten. Renger van der Zande also made a mark, rounding out the elite group in the #93 Acura.

Shifting gears to the LMP2 category, it was Ben Hanley who took the spotlight, clocking in at 1:39.136 in the #2 United Autosports Oreca, leaving his competitors in the dust. Enzo Fittipaldi in the #73 Pratt Miller Oreca trailed by a tenth and a half, showcasing the fierce competition in this class.

Meanwhile, the GT classes brought their own excitement, with Corey Lewis leading the charge in the #66 Gradient Racing Ford Mustang GT3, hitting a lap time of 1:47.522. Chaz Mostert was hot on his trail, just a tenth behind in the GTD Pro-entered #75 75 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. The GTD class saw Danny Formal in the #45 WTR Lamborghini Huracan GT3 and Russell Ward in the #57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 taking second and third places, respectively.

The competition is heating up as the countdown to the legendary Daytona 24 Hours continues, with each session revealing the relentless pursuit of speed and glory. With Sheldon van der Linde setting the pace, expect nothing less than an electrifying showdown as teams strive for victory in one of motorsport’s most prestigious events. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates leading into race day!

Tags: 2025-bmw-australian-pga-championship2026-daytona-24-hoursben-hanleyjdc-millerSheldon van der Lindetijmen-van-der-helmUnited Autosports
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