|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Recent forum posts |
- Formula BMW Americas/ International series: Laguna... (0) by BMW CSL Crazy - Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 01:44 pm
- BMW Schnitzer 635 Quester (3) by Jeff Seabrook - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 07:03 pm
- 1990 E32 750iL (7) by DeanP - Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 10:52 pm
- ANY HISTORY ON 530i 94 (3) by Jeff Seabrook - Monday, August 27, 2007 - 08:05 am
- Car Phone Handset (2) by DeanP - Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 08:03 pm
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
|
BMW TEAM PTG M3s TAKE FIVE-WIN STREAK INTO SECOND HALF OF ROLEX SEASON |
|
|
|
Written by Jeff Seabrook
|
|
Wednesday, 04 August 2004 |
|
Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen back-to-back for GT Class Leaders
Winchester, Va. (Aug. 3, 2004) - The second half of the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series gets off to a fast start after a one-month hiatus with two races in less than one week. BMW Team PTG will look to continue its very strong performance in the first half of the season as it travels to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio for the August 7th 250-mile Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic. BMW Team PTG will return to Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, N.Y. for the 200-mile Glen 200 on August 13th.
BMW is tied for the lead in the GT Manufacturer's Points. Bill Auberlen and Boris Said stand at the top of the GT Driver's Points. Justin Marks has reached the top-five and Joey Hand is ninth. BMW Team PTG stands first (No. 21) and fifth (No. 22) in Team Owner Points.
Auberlen can become the first driver in Rolex series history to score six consecutive wins-in-a row with a victory at Mid-Ohio. BMW Team PTG has raced there only once previously, scoring a fourth place finish in 2001American Le Mans Series competition. Although it was not the best finish the team saw that championship year, Said did set the fastest race lap proving a BMW Team PTG M3 knows the way around Mid-Ohio. This season the team won at Watkins Glen in June's Round 5 contest so there is a very good possibility for an outstanding week.
The BMW Team PTG M3s have not turned a wheel wrong since the season opener at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, winning five of the first six GT class races, including two 1-2 finishes. BMW Team PTG returned to Victory Lane at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in February with a 1-2 BMW M3 finish in Round Two. Bill Auberlen and Boris Said made it two wins in a row from the pole position for the No. 21 BMW M3 in April's Round Three contest at Phoenix International Raceway. In May, Auberlen and Said added another victory from the pole at the 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The fourth consecutive Auberlen/Said win from the pole came at Watkins Glen International on June 20th. On July 1, at Daytona International Speedway, Auberlen and Marks won the Paul Revere 250 with Said and Hand second.
During July BMW Team PTG completed two successful test sessions. Two days at Summit Point Raceway was spent on continued shock and suspension development. A second test, this past Thursday, was held at Virginia International Raceway, the site of Round 10.
"We have had a very good season so far, but there is always room for improvement," said BMW Team PTG owner, Tom Milner. "The Porsches have been given a weight reduction and should be faster at Mid-Ohio. To win we will have to continue to race smart."
Auberlen added, "Understeer has always been something that we have had to fight at Mid-Ohio. The pavement grinding in the corners that has been done this year will not help us. I raced there in my Speed Touring BMW in June and have a good idea of what kind of changes we will have to make."
Marks, slated to co-drive with Auberlen at Mid-Ohio, is excited about the possibility of adding another victory to his first win at the Paul Revere 250 last month. "I have raced at Mid-Ohio before and am confident that I will be up to speed in the M3 right away. My confidence is as high as it has been all season. I have been working very hard to make sure that I am really ready for the second half of the season."
Said is also ready to get started, "Mid-Ohio is one of my favorite tracks not only because it suits the M3, but it is where I won my first professional race. Watkins Glen will be the first time I will be racing the M3 and the Cup car on the same weekend. It will certainly be a weekend of contrasts."
Hand added, "Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen are very familiar to me. I have had success in the past at Mid-Ohio in Formula Atlantic and was quick at the Glen the first time we raced there this year. I am getting closer to my first win in a M3."
"Speed alone will not always win races," said Hernando Carvajal, Motorsport Manager, BMW of North America, LLC. "BMW Team PTG can be the first team to win six Rolex GT races in a row and that is a result of hard work both on and off the track. The combined M3 racing experience of every member of the team is what has brought BMW five wins so far this season."
Practice and qualifying for the Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic will be held on Friday, August 6 and the race is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 7. The Glen 200 is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 13th.
The Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic is scheduled to be broadcast same-day on Speed Channel at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Glen 200 is also scheduled to be broadcast same-day on Speed Channel at 10:00 p.m. ET on August 13th.Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
BMW Racing News 
BMWsport Home | BMW Racing News | Racing Schedules | BMW AG News | BMWsport Site News | Photo Galleries | BMW e30 Owners | For Sale | Giveaways | Sponsors | BMW Tech | Geneva Auto Show | 2006 BMW M5 | NAIAS | Product Reviews | Special BMW's | BMW History | Main Download Page | BMW Wallpapers | Videos | WinAMP Skins | Search | Links | Affiliates | Sitemap | 