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BMW TEAM PTG RIDES TO FIFTH ROLEX GT WIN IN A ROW AT PAUL REVERE 250 |
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Written by Jeff Seabrook
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Friday, 02 July 2004 |
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Won by Auberlen and Marks, Two by Said and Hand
Daytona, Fla. (July 2, 2004) - BMW moved into a tie for the lead in the Rolex Sports Car Series GT Manufacturer's Championship after BMW Team PTG's second 1-2 M3 finish of the season at the Paul Revere 250. The victory was the fifth GT class win in a row for the BMW and this time the win went to Bill Auberlen and Justin Marks. The previous four wins were shared by Auberlen and Boris Said. For this race the decision had been made to split both pairs of drivers. Auberlen and Said now share the lead in the GT Driver's Championship.
Auberlen and Marks started the No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3 from the fifth starting position. They completed 67 laps of the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course in the 250 mile race, finishing just ahead of team mates Said and Joey Hand in the No. 22 M3. It was not an easy race as Daytona is not a track that is particularly suited to the M3. Top speed on the long straights more than makes up for the ability to get through the turns quickly. Up to the point of the first pit stops the M3s were in the fourth and fifth positions. After quick stops for fuel, tires and a driver change, Auberlen and Said moved the two M3s to the front of the field and held onto the lead positions for BMW Team PTG's record-tying fifth GT win in a row.
The Paul Revere 250 is scheduled to broadcast on Speed Channel at 12 p.m. ET on July 4.
The Rolex Sports Car Series takes a month off before back-to-back weekends at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Aug. 6-8 and a second race at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 12-13.
BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (first):
"It was a fight from beginning to end. Team PTG did a great job in making the tires last. Yesterday we could only make the tires live for about four laps and by the time of the race the team had tuned the car and we could go more than 20. That made all the difference."
JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (first):
"This win feels great because we had to work hard for it. We did not unload the best car this week, but Team PTG's experience meant that by race time the car was the best it had been. My goal was to keep the car in a competitive position and hand it off to Bill ready to win."
TOM MILNER, OWNER, BMW TEAM PTG:
"It was a very good race for Team PTG. Quick pit stops and a bit of good luck allowed us another 1-2 M3 finish. We clearly did not have the top speed of our competitors on the long straights of this track, but the race is not always won by the fastest car. Races are won by the best drivers."
HERNANDO CARVAJAL, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC:
"Our cars were not the fastest as Daytona does not suit the M3. Consistent driving and near-perfect pit-stops made the difference. BMW is delighted to get a win, especially after our last race here in January. Congratulations to all of BMW Team PTG and special congratulations to Justin Marks on his first win as a BMW Team PTG driver."Only registered users can write comments.
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