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Every BMW Team PTG M3 experienced problems in today’s race, resulting in a very frustrating day for the BMW squad that was aiming for its seventh victory of the season after a strong pole position start by Bill Auberlen in the No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3. The team did rally to keep alive a mathematical chance for a second consecutive GT Manufacturer and Driver Championship as the series heads to the penultimate race of the season.

The bad day began early as Justin Marks, driving the No. 16 BMW Team PTG F1 Air M3, got into the left rear of the No. 22 M3 of teammate Ian James as the two were completing the second lap of the race. Marks slid into the tire wall in turn 11 and the resulting repairs dropped Marks and co-driver Joey Hand 17 laps to the leaders. For Hand and Marks, second and fifth in GT Driver points respectively, any chance at the Driver points title appeared gone.

Auberlen, starting from his second pole position of the season, took advantage on an early race caution period and pitted from the lead on lap 11 for fuel. The move meant only one more stop for the No. 21 M3 and put the car in a very strong position for the win. He regained the lead on lap 25 and continued to head the 18-car GT field until lap 36 when he experienced an electrical problem. Replacement of a faulty throttle motor cost Auberlen and co-driver Tom Miler 10 laps and any chance of victory. Milner finished the race in 10th.

The No. 16 M3 continued to circulate with Hand at the wheel when the fifth caution period of the race brought about a change in fortune and a second chance for the two BMW drivers. The No. 80 Porsche of GT Driver points leader Craig Stanton and David Murry, third in the standings, was caught up in a crash and lost many laps while repairs were made. After a lengthy caution period, Hand made up as much ground as possible, finishing only one position behind Stanton and Murry.

The No. 17 BMW Team PTG F1 Air M3 of Kelly Collins and RJ Valentine had a trouble-free day on the track, but a stop-and-go penalty for speeding on pit lane dropped the duo to a fifth place finish, after running as high as second.

A bad day was made better by James’ and Gleason’s fourth place finish, keeping BMW in the hunt for the Manufacturer Points crown. Problems for the No. 80 Porsche, combined with a late-race charge by Hand, kept the BMW driver in the Driver Points chase.

Round 13 of the Rolex Sports Car Series, the VIR 400 will take place on October 7 – 9 at Virginia International Raceway.

IAN JAMES, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (fourth): “With good start and good strategy it looked like we would have had a better finish today. We ran as high as second, but after Chris got in we got caught up in a lengthy yellow and could not improve our track position. It cost us a lap and the best we could do was fourth.”

CHRIS GLEASON, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (fourth): “We were certainly hoping for a better finish after starting fifth. Our goal is to always to finish on the podium. In a race like this with so many caution periods, windows of opportunity open and close quickly. We missed one and lost a lap.”

BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (10th): “For the first part of the day it was a great BMW Team PTG race – a super-prepared M3, the pole and race lead. The strategy was spot-on. Unfortunately, the throttle motor went bad and that was the end of another win for the No. 21 M3.”

TOM MILNER, OWNER BMW TEAM PTG: “It was unintentional and unfortunate to have two of our cars hit each other as it took the No. 16 M3 out of contention. Bill was having a very strong race in the No. 21 M3 when a wire broke in the throttle motor. Ian and Chris salvaged a fourth in the No. 22 and Joey came back to 10th in the 16 to only drop one point in the Driver standings. A very good result in the next race at VIR is critical if we are to have any chance at the Championship.”

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