BimmerWorld ready for the 2026 GT4 America Championship

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BimmerWorld Racing Announces 2026 Pirelli GT4 America Championship Lineup

Pulaski, Va – Feb 19, 2026

BimmerWorld Racing is excited to announce its return to the 2026 Pirelli GT4 America Championship in SRO Motorsports America with an updated driver lineup and the continued campaign of two BMW Motorsport G82 M4 GT4s.

After a very competitive 2025 season highlighted by a third Am Championship, multiple wins, podiums, and strong performances from both cars, BimmerWorld Racing enters 2026 with renewed momentum and a refreshed driver structure aimed at continued success on track.

In the No. 36 OPTIMA Batteries / Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA BMW M4 GT4, James Clay returns, but for the first time since 2021, Clay won’t have his trusty sidekick and fellow three-time Am Champion Charlie Postins as co-driver. Instead, he’ll be joined in the Am class by James Walker, Jr., who transitions from the Pro/Am No. 38. This marks a new chapter for the duo, and both are excited to take on this latest challenge.

The Red Line Oil / Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA BMW G82 M4 GT4 will now wear No. 38 and retains its Pro driver Tyler McQuarrie for the 2026 campaign. McQuarrie will share the cockpit with Michael Petramalo for his first year of SRO GT4 America racing. Stepping in as Pro/Am co‑driver, Petramalo’s addition brings fresh energy and talent to the program, adding depth to the experienced and capable lineup.

Both entries will compete across the full Pirelli GT4 America calendar, with the season kicking off at Sonoma Raceway on March 26th.

March 26-29 – Sonoma Raceway

April 24-26 – Circuit of the Americas

May 7-9 – Sebring International Raceway

June 12-14 – Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

August 28-30 – Road America

September 25-27 – Barber Motorsports Park

October 8-11 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Fans are encouraged to follow BimmerWorld Racing on social media for team updates, driver features, race results, and behind‑the‑scenes content all season long:

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As always, the team’s efforts are supported by long‑standing partners including OPTIMA Batteries, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA, PFC Brakes, Diffsonline, and others whose dedication makes racing at this level possible.

OPTIMA Batteries – The Ultimate Power Source. Unbeatable starting power, light weight, superior cycling capability, and extreme resistance to the most common causes of battery failure make the OPTIMA Battery our choice for our own BMW and support vehicle fleet. OPTIMA also delivers the innovative OPTIMA Digital 200+, 400+ and 1200+ Battery Chargers for all automotive and marine batteries.

Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation – Manufacturers of more than 100 high-end lubricants that have the reputation of performing better than any other product on the market, regardless of price. Using cutting edge technology and premium raw materials, Red Line responds to the technical challenges of today’s performance industry utilizing knowledge gained from racing to create high-performance products for track cars and street vehicles alike.

Lifeline Fire & Safety System – Leading manufacturer of fire safety equipment and fire safety components to the motorsport industry. Lifeline is the factory supplier for fire systems and rain lights for the BMW GT4 cars we race.

Core BimmerWorld technical partners include:

PFC Brakes – Leading brake friction and component manufacturer.

Diffsonline – Provider of differentials and driveline expertise to meet the demanding needs of customers, from street machines to professional race teams.

ABOUT: BimmerWorld is renowned as a leader in BMW aftermarket and tuning expertise, with operations spanning from stock, aftermarket, performance and racing parts sales and development through racing from club to professional levels. BimmerWorld Racing currently campaigns a pair of BMW Motorsport M4 GT4 cars in North America in the SRO GT4 America Championship, where the Virginia-based outfit is a frequent winner and championship contender.

BimmerWorld Racing Announces Return to Pirelli GT4 America Championship for 2025 Season

BimmerWorld Racing Announces Return to Pirelli GT4 America Championship for 2025 Season: Jan 13, 2025

BimmerWorld Racing is thrilled to announce its return to the Pirelli GT4 America Championship for the 2025 season in SRO Motorsports America, featuring two BMW Motorsport G82 M4 GT4s.

The driver lineup will remain unchanged from 2024, with James Clay and Charlie Postins piloting the No. 36 OPTIMA Batteries / Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA BMW G82 M4 GT4. After four podium finishes, including three wins, the 2024 season had its fair share of strong results. However, a string of bad luck beyond their control ultimately placed them outside the championship chase. Reflecting on the season after their win at Indy, Postins stated that it was “the launchpad for whatever we do next year,” signaling a desire to leave 2024 behind and focus on the momentum of a win heading into 2025.

James Walker, Jr. will be entering his sixth season with BimmerWorld Racing, with Tyler McQuarrie returning for his third year in the No. 82 Red Line Oil BMW M4 GT4. Like the No. 36 team, the 2024 season for Walker, Jr. and McQuarrie was a mix of highs and lows. After securing a win at Sonoma in the opening race, a series of unfortunate contacts and circumstances kept them from earning crucial championship points. A significant victory at COTA helped energize the team, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome the challenges and fight for the title. With 2024 now in the rearview mirror, Walker, Jr. and McQuarrie are entering 2025 with renewed determination, ready to keep the No. 82 car at the front of the field throughout the season.

The BimmerWorld Racing team is supported by the following sponsors:

No. 36:

Lifeline Fire & Safety System – Leading manufacturer of fire safety equipment and safety components to the motorsport industry. Lifeline is the factory supplier for fire systems and rain lights for the BMW GT4 cars we race.

No. 82:

Core BimmerWorld technical partners include:

PFC Brakes – Leading brake friction and component manufacturer.

Diffsonline – Provider of differentials and driveline expertise to meet the demanding needs of customers, from street machines to professional race teams.

Additional team sponsors include:

Exhall Automotive – Offers bespoke design realization services to OEMs and Startups alike. With over 20 years of experience in many of the top design studios of the world, Exhall Automotive excels in offering efficient design services in a turn key fashion to meet the demands of today’s cost conscious manufacturers.

Johnstone Supply – The top cooperative wholesale distributor in the country and a recognized national leader in the HVACR industry.

FOLLOW BIMMERWORLD AT:https://www.facebook.com/bimmerworld

STAY UP TO DATE WITH BIMMERWORLD NEWS AT:http://www.bimmerworldracing.com

BimmerWorld Racing returns to SRO with new M4 GT4s and M4 GT3 in 2023

BimmerWorld Racing 2023 SRO Season Announcement: March 2, 2023

BimmerWorld Racing is proud to announce its return to SRO Motorsport America bringing two brand new BMW Motorsport G82 M4 GT4s to compete in the Pirelli GT4 America championship and a BMW M4 GT3 returning in Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS for the 2023 season.

Coming off a very successful 2022 season in the GT4 America AM series, winning seven of the 14 races, the driver pairing of James Clay and Charlie Postins will return as teammates looking to repeat their performance and clinch another championship. They will be piloting the brand new No. 36 OPTIMA Batteries / Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA BMW Motorsport G82 M4 GT4. “After the success of last year it just made sense to do it all over again with Charlie. New car with new challenges, but same teammates and the same goal of a championship in 2023,” Clay continued. “After five successful years racing the F82 M4 platform the team is eager to get the new G82 on track and get to work.”

Bill Auberlen and Chandler Hull will be returning to SRO America with BimmerWorld Racing for their second season in the No. 94 TACenergy / OZIUM BMW M4 GT3. Bill and Chandler had a strong showing in 2022 with podiums at all six rounds of racing and capped it off with a win at the Intercontinental GT Challenge Indianapolis 8 hour making that three years in a row for the BimmerWorld team. “Bill and Chandler are fantastic in the GT3 platform, and we are excited to see the true potential of this car in 2023 after an inaugural season where BMW often struggled with the balance of performance,” Clay added.

James Walker, Jr. returns for his fourth season with BimmerWorld Racing sharing the No. 82 Red Line Oil / Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems USA BMW M4 GT4 with a new driver to the BimmerWorld family, Tyler McQuarrie. Tyler has been racing for almost 25 years and has won in multiple different categories ranging from formula cars, stock cars, sprint cars, drifting, off-road, and sports cars. Sports car racing has been his main focus the majority of his career and has multiple poles, wins, and the 2019 IMSA GS Championship to show for it. “I’ve raced against Tyler for multiple years and worked with him extremely effectively in our Lifeline business for the last year and change,” Clay continued. “James Walker is back for his fourth year with BimmerWorld, and I think this should prove to be a strong pairing and a championship contender.”

The BimmerWorld Racing team is supported by the following sponsors:

No. 36:
OPTIMA Batteries – The Ultimate Power Source. Unbeatable starting power, light weight, superior cycling capability, and extreme resistance to the most common causes of battery failure make the OPTIMA Battery our choice for our own BMW. OPTIMA also delivers the innovative OPTIMA Chargers Digital 400 and 1200 Battery Chargers for all automotive and marine batteries.

Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems – Leading manufacturer of fire safety equipment and fire safety systems to the motorsport industry.

No. 82:
Red Line Synthetic Oil Corporation – Manufacturers of more than 100 high-end lubricants that have the reputation of performing better than any other product on the market, regardless of price. Using cutting edge technology, Red Line responds to the technical challenges of today’s performance industry utilizing knowledge gained from racing to create high-performance products for track cars and street vehicles alike.

Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems – Leading manufacturer of fire safety equipment and fire safety systems to the motorsport industry.

No. 94:
TACenergy – One of the largest independent wholesale fuel distributors of refined petroleum products in the United States. With an extensive supply network across the U.S., as well as regional sales offices across the country, TACenergy can service almost any customer’s fuel needs.

Core BimmerWorld technical partners include:
PFC Brakes – Leading brake friction and component manufacturer.
Diffsonline – Provider of differentials and driveline expertise to meet the demanding needs of customers, from street machines to professional race teams.

Additional team sponsors include:

Johnstone Supply – The top cooperative wholesale distributor in the country and a recognized national leader in the HVACR industry.
Exhall Automotive -Offers bespoke design realization services to OEM’s and Start ups alike. With over 20 years of experience in many of the top design studios of the world Exhall Automotive excels in offering efficient design services in a turn key fashion to meet the demands of today’s cost conscious manufacturers.
Ozium – Clinically proven air sanitizers that eliminate, not mask, odors.
Pretzilla – The pioneer in fresh, soft pretzel bread.

FOLLOW BIMMERWORLD AT: https://www.facebook.com/bimmerworld
STAY UP TO DATE WITH BIMMERWORLD NEWS AT: http://www.bimmerworldracing.com
ABOUT: BimmerWorld is renowned as a leader in BMW aftermarket and tuning expertise, with operations spanning from stock, aftermarket, performance and racing parts sales and development through racing from club to professional levels. BimmerWorld Racing competes with the BMW Motorsport M4 GT3 and M4 GT4 in North America in both SRO and IMSA Championships, where the Virginia-based outfit has become a frequent winner and championship contender.

James Clay

From 2021 to 2023, James’s focus shifted to GT4 racing in the SRO, where he claimed both the SRO championship in 2022 and the top step in the BMW Sport Trophy, alongside co-driver Charlie Postins. Moving to the new G82 M4 GT4 platform, James and Charlie quickly found success, securing seven wins throughout the season and clinching a second SRO GT4 championship.

In 2020, with a full race schedule in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the SRO TC America series, James pushed the team to secure the Driver’s Championship in his M240iR, bringing the team to second place in the overall standings of the TC series and aiding BMW in achieving fourth place in the Manufacturer Championship in IMSA.

In 2019, James, alongside teammate Devin Jones, secured third place in the GS standings with three podiums and eight top-ten finishes, also earning the top-finishing BMW team honors in the GS class. A single SRO TC America weekend at Road America in a BMW M240iR laid the groundwork for a future SRO program.

2018 saw James and Tyler Cooke team up for the final year of the IMSA Continental SportsCar Challenge, competing in their new No. 82 BMW M4 GT4. With three podium finishes in the Grand Sport (GS) class and a significant victory in the season finale, they paved the way for further development and success in the BMW M4 GT4’s inaugural year.

From 2013 to 2017, James collaborated with BimmerWorld drivers John Capestro-Dubets, Jason Breidis, and Tyler Cooke to enhance the F30 BMW 328i in the IMSA ST class. This project marked the first professional race of a BMW turbo engine in North America and the first 4-cylinder F30 raced worldwide. Their efforts culminated in a world-first pole position and multiple top finishes, showcasing the turbo 4-cylinder BMW’s potential. In 2017, James’s debut at the Nürburgring in Germany with co-drivers Tyler Cooke and future BimmerWorld co-driver Charlie Postins highlighted their performance with a steady second position in the BMW M235iR during the 24 Hour before an early morning component failure.

In 2012, James secured three podium finishes in the IMSA ST class with co-driver John Capestro-Dubets, finishing fourth in the Driver’s Championship and contributing to BMW’s Manufacturers’ Championship win. He also achieved second place at the historic inaugural Indy race.

Before 2012, James’s racing career began with a BMW Club Racing event at Pocono in 1998, followed by numerous SCCA Regional ITS wins, SPEED Touring Car races, and his first professional win at Road America in 2008. His shift to professional endurance racing in 2010 led to the development of three new platforms over five years.

Personally, James, a Virginia native, discovered his passion for cars and speed after his 16th birthday, a passion that grew during his EE and MBA studies at Virginia Tech. This passion led him to focus on building his BimmerWorld company, moving away from traditional employment. Besides racing, James enjoys jet skiing and grilling, embracing the summer season.

James Walker, Jr.

Originally from Rochester, New York, James Walker, Jr. is a licensed Professional Engineer at Carr Engineering, Inc. He currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas, and brings 30 years of real-world experience to his analyses of vehicle dynamics and the reconstruction of motor vehicle crashes.

James graduated from the GMI Engineering and Management Institute in 1994 with a degree in automotive mechanical engineering. Following his passion for auto racing, he founded scR motorsports in 1997. He competed for seven successful years in the Sports Car Club of America’s SSC and ITA categories. Despite shifting his on-track focus to high-performance driving instruction with the Porsche Club of America in 2004 due to his growing family, he still found time for the occasional ChumpCar race, often behind the wheel of a Saturn SC2. In 2017, he joined the team at Risi Competizione, competing for two years in the North American Ferrari Challenge 458 Championship. He continued with Risi into the popular TCR category in 2019, pursuing the TC America Championship in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The 2020 and 2021 seasons presented new challenges, as James partnered for the first time with BimmerWorld Racing and Bill Auberlen to pursue the GT4 SprintX Pro-Am Championship. In 2022, for his third attempt at the championship, James was paired with Devin Jones. The 2023 season brought further change, with James sharing a brand-new second-generation BMW M4 GT4 racecar with co-driver Tyler McQuarrie. In his most successful season to date, the duo scored a second-place finish in the GT4 America Pro-Am category, narrowly missing the championship by a single point.

Parallel to the evolution of scR motorsports, James has actively served as an industry advisor to Kettering University in the fields of brake system design, vehicle dynamics, and brake control systems. He has been a brake control system consultant for StopTech, authored High-Performance Brake Systems: Design, Selection, and Installation, and serves as an SAE Master Instructor in his spare time.

Michael Petramalo

Michael Petramalo is a high-performance professional who brings the same precision, discipline, and competitive edge to both the racetrack and the multi-family real estate world. As a racer, Michael thrives in environments where preparation meets split-second decision-making, an arena that rewards focus, consistency, and the ability to perform under pressure. Michael is an accomplished IMSA Ferrari Challenge driver; winning the Driver Championship in 2022 as well as three Team Championships across four seasons. With a background in inline speed skating and bicycle racing Michael also holds many State and National titles. Michael is bringing the same tenacity to the race track that gave him success in those venues

Off the track, Michael applies that same mindset to multi-family real estate investing and business: building relationships, solving complex problems, and guiding clients with a clear strategy from first conversation through closing day; assisting his clients in building long term generational passive income. Known for his calm, confident approach and relentless attention to detail, he’s driven by results, whether that’s shaving tenths off a lap time or helping investors navigate a fast-moving market with clarity and confidence.

When he’s not racing or working with clients, you’ll find Michael staying sharp through training of all types, studying performance data, and continually refining the process, because in racing and real estate alike, details matter.

Tyler McQuarrie

Previously:Tyler has been racing for almost 25 years! He has raced and won in multiple different categories ranging from Formula Cars, Stock cars, Sprint cars, Drifting , Off Road, and Sports Cars. Sports cars have been his focus for a majority of his career and he has multiple poles, wins, and the 2019 IMSA GS Championship to show for it.