Rahal Letterman Racing BMW E92 M3s. Photo credit: Rick Dole

This is the first of a five-part GT2 class preview series.

Compared to a year ago when the Rahal Letterman Racing’s BMW E92 M3 program was just launching, a full year of track time and development sees them as a serious challenger to the proverbial establishment at the top of the GT2 field.

BMW torque carried them to success and their first win at Road America last season. For 2010, the focus is on fine tuning rather than wholesale changes.

Full-season drivers are Dirk Muller and Joey Hand (car No. 90) and Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner (No. 92), joined this weekend by three-time FIA World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and Dirk Werner in each respective car. With an Indy 500 winning crew and pit stand team, they expect to be in the thick of the GT2 fight here at Sebring and throughout the season.