Bill Auberlen
An endurance racing stalwart whose name became synonymous with BMW in North America, setting a record for most IMSA wins.
Born 1968 (age 58)·American factory race car driver·Birthday: October 12·Generation X
Biography
Bill Auberlen didn't just drive BMWs; he became an integral part of the marque's racing identity in America. His career, spanning over three decades, is a masterclass in consistency and speed across a dizzying array of sports car categories. While he had stints with other manufacturers, his destiny was intertwined with the Bavarian brand, often driving for the customer-focused Turner Motorsport team. Auberlen thrived in the grueling world of endurance racing, where mechanical sympathy and relentless pace are paramount. His record-breaking tally of victories in the IMSA series stands as a testament to his skill and longevity, making him not just a successful driver, but a familiar and respected figure in the paddock, known for his straightforward approach and deep technical knowledge.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Bill was born in 1968, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1968
#1 Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
Best Picture
Oliver!
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Bill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1968Born
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1973Started school
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1981Became a teenager
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Could drive
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1986Could vote
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Turned 21
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1998Turned 30
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 40
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 50
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 58 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Holds the record for the most career race wins in IMSA history.
- Won the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship with co-driver Robby Foley.
- Secured class victories at prestigious endurance races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
- Has been a BMW 'factory' driver, representing the manufacturer in official racing programs for many years.
Did You Know?
His father was also a professional race car driver who competed in the Can-Am series.
Auberlen began his racing career on motorcycles before switching to four wheels.
He has competed in the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours race in Germany multiple times.
He once drove a BMW M3 GT2 to a class victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona while suffering from the flu.
“The car talks to you; you just have to be quiet enough to listen.”
