Rahal Letterman Racing have concluded their first official test with the new BMW M3 GT2 car after receiving assistance from World Touring Car drivers Andy Priaulx, Jorg Muller and Augusto Farfus.

BMW embark on a return to American sportscar competition in 2009 with the new coupe, which will go head-to-head with Porsche, Ferrari, Panoz and the new GT2 Corvette in the American Le Mans Series.

Long established IndyCar frontrunners RLR will prepare the car and after putting on 1,400 miles onto the car at Road America and Sebring, with the help of BMW's three factory WTCC drivers, the team is confident they are beginning to unlock its potential.

“This past Monday was the busiest day of the five as the M3 reached a high-water mark with 340 miles of testing, after which the team took its first opportunity to perform an engine change on the new car,” said a team statement.

“The change went flawlessly as Tuesday saw another 285 miles go on the car, including its first outing in the rain as a customary Sebring afternoon shower gave the team a chance to evaluate intermediate rain tyres.”

The car will be out again at Sebring for the annual winter test sessions ahead of the blue riband 12-hour race. It is possible that Priaulx, Muller and Farfus may return to compete in the endurance race.