BMW Team RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal anticipates migrating from the team’s pair of BMW Z4s to BMW’s newest M6 platform next year. The path to that change, however, might be more complicated than was initially expected after GT conversion talks fell through in 2014.

GT convergence centered on a framework that would have seen GT3 and GTE/GTLM rules combine under a common core formula – but with differences in power and aero between the proposed new GT and GT+ categories, and would have been a perfect construct to take the the GT3-based M6 and fit it into IMSA’s GT Le Mans category.

BMW Team RLL’s current GT3-based Z4 was converted to an IMSA-only specification during the final American Le Mans Series season in 2013, and was carried into the merged TUDOR United SportsCar Championship the following year as a special exception that is not allowed to compete at Le Mans or in the World Endurance Championship.

Lacking a formal GT convergence-style process to fit the twin-turbo V8 M6 into IMSA’s top GT class, the series finds itself in another interesting position once more where BMW wants to continue in GTLM, yet lacks an ACO/FIA-approved GTLM chassis to replace the Z4.

BMW’s desire to run the GT3 M6 in GTLM with another set of IMSA-only rules is well known and, as Rahal (LEFT) shares, he would like to continue in the class but says it’s too early to confirm it will happen.

“I’m not sure how far along the discussions are with the ACO and FIA on the GT Le Mans project, but the M6 received a lot of interest when it was shown at Watkins Glen and I think people need to see it out and running before they’re comfortable with it,” he told RACER.

“GT3 is an important category because it’s worldwide. It’s a matter of getting that classification set because they have orders in place. On the GTLM, side, I’m hopeful we’re back with BMW in the GTLM class, but we haven’t had any direction on that either way.”

Now in their third season of competition, the retro-liveried Z4s have been a hit with fans and shown a surprisingly competitive form during the 2015 TUDOR Championship. The Nos. 24 and 25 have won two of five GT Le Mans races, and share the championship lead (No. 25) and hold second-place (No. 24) in the standings with five races remaining.

Their fortunes could turn as IMSA closes its season at tracks where other GTLM brands are typically favored, and with a possible move to the M6 and its longer wheelbase, BMW Team RLL could have a better chance to succeed throughout the calendar.

“The new car looks great and should have the potential to be in the hunt everywhere the series goes,” Rahal added. “The Z4s have been great and we’ve had the most success with them as street fighters. If we’re fortunate enough to race the new cars next year, which I’m hopeful of, I think they could be pretty serious contenders at any track. And BMW has really been supportive of the program – even more so this year – and that’s obviously something we want to continue.”