Phoenix, Ariz. (April 10, 2004) – Bill Auberlen and Boris Said drove the No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3 to the GT class victory in today’s Food City 250 at Phoenix International Raceway. In a race marked by seven caution periods for numerous accidents, BMW Team PTG persevered and made smart pit decisions to win its second consecutive Rolex Sports Car Series race of the season. The duo completed 129 laps of the 1.51-mile circuit, finishing one lap ahead of the second place car.

BMW stands second in the GT Manufacturer Point Standings and the No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3 moves up to third in GT Team Owner Points. Said is tied for second in the GT Driver Point Standings and Auberlen moves to third.

Auberlen and Said also captured their second Acxiom Grand Touring Challenge Bonus of the season after winning the race from the pole. Auberlen recorded the fastest lap of the race (1:01.338).

Auberlen took the green flag from the GT pole and he consolidated his lead as the 40-car field began to stretch out. On lap 26, the race’s second caution period, Auberlen had the chance to pit. He came in for tires and fuel and rejoined the race in third. He moved quickly back to the front and continued to lead until pitting for fuel on lap 42 when the race was slowed for a fourth yellow flag. The second place Porsche was forced to stop under green on lap 68 and lost two laps to the No. 21 M3. BMW Team PTG’s decision to pit Auberlen at the right time gave the No. 21 car the advantage to claim their second victory in a row.

Boris Said entered the car on lap 87 during the fifth caution period of the race. He rejoined the race with fresh tires and enough fuel to make it to the end.

While Auberlen and Said enjoyed good fortune at the front, BMW Team PTG teammate Justin Mark’s race was interrupted in the worst way. His race ended early on lap 11 after moving up to second from his fourth starting spot. Two cars spun ahead of him in turn four and blocked the track. With nowhere to go, Marks impacted the No. 9 Daytona Prototype. The heavily damaged No. 22 M3 was retired from the race.

BMW Team PTG will travel to Canada and its first visit to Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant for Round Four on May 21-23.

BORIS SAID, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3: “We had great pit strategy today. Tom called a great race. Once the No. 45 Porsche lost two laps, we just coasted home. This track does not have a lot of room and there was not much give and take out there. Luckily the pack had thinned out quite a bit by the time I got into the car.”

BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3: “It was really, really crazy out there. On a tight track like this, everyone’s speed is closer than you would think. The Daytona Prototypes can’t just blow past us on the straights so you have to be very careful when they pass you. At the start of the race I was in fourth entering turn one, but they all bunched up and I was able to go around all of them. I moved ahead and stayed out of trouble. No problems at all. The M3 was running perfectly.”

JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3: “Racing is full of highs and lows and today was a low for the No. 22 car. I am very sorry for Joey and all the guys on the team. We clearly had a great BMW today. The start was a little mad, but it settled down and I moved up. Unfortunately, I was a victim of circumstance. The track was blocked in front of me and I had nowhere to go.”

TOM MILNER, OWNER BMW TEAM PTG: “We timed all the stops just right. We got in under the yellows twice and that gained us the laps. It is too bad about the No. 22 car. Justin was just an innocent by-stander.”

HERNANDO CARVAJAL, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC: “Congratulations again to the team. We had excellent pit strategy and everyone did a great job. We will hope for better luck for Justin and Joey next time.”

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