|
BMW TAKES SPEED GT MANUFACTURER'S CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS LEAD WITH A SECOND WIN AT LIME ROCK PARK |
|
|
|
Written by Jeff Seabrook
|
|
Monday May 26, 2003 |
|
BMW moved into the Speed GT Manufacturer's Championship points lead with Bill Auberlen's second Speed GT win of the weekend, leading BMW Team PTG in first-, third- and fourth-place finishes in Round 4 of the SCCA Pro Racing Speed GT Championship at Lime Rock Park today in Lakeville, Conn. This win follows Auberlen's victory on Saturday, in which he led a one-two and five result in the third round of the series.
From his third starting spot in a downpour, Auberlen drove his No. 7 BMW Team PTG M3 into the lead on lap 27. Auberlen then held off a late-race charge by second-place Randy Pobst in an Audi to win the 40-lap contest around the 1.53-mile Lime Rock circuit by a 6.241 second margin of victory over Pobst. Auberlen set the fastest lap of the race of 1:08.350 on lap 37.
Hans Stuck used all his rain-driving skills to reach the podium for the first time this season, placing third in the No. 8 BMW Team PTG M3.
With his second-best career finish, Justin Marks drove his No. 80 BMW Team PTG M3 into fourth and the final points-paying position, thus ensuring BMW the lead in the Speed GT Manufacturer's Championship.
Boris Said's No. 6 BMW Team PTG M3 could not start the race after crashing in this morning's qualifying session.
After four rounds of Speed GT racing in 2003, all BMW Team PTG drivers are in the top 10 in the Driver's Championship, with Auberlen second, Said ninth, Stuck fourth and Marks eighth. BMW leads the Manufacturer's Championship standings with 24 points.
Rounds 3 and 4 are scheduled to be aired on Speed Channel on May 31 at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. respectively.
The Speed GT series moves to Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Ga., for Round 5 on June 27-29.
BILL AUBERLEN, NO. 7 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (first):
"With all the rain I was not sure of our chances, but BMW has now proven that it can win at Lime Rock in the wet as well as the dry. I did not know if I could take the lead under these terribly wet conditions as both Randy
(Pobst) and I were at the limits of grip, but he made a little mistake and I was there and once in the lead I did not look back."
HANS STUCK, NO. 8 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (third):
"It was a very nice, very slippery afternoon. My target was not to take any risks, so that is what I did. I did not go 100 percent; 85 percent was enough, as I was sure I could end up on the podium. After no result (from a first-turn accident) in Saturday's race, I wanted to score some points."
JUSTIN MARKS, NO. 80 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (fourth):
"I had some visibility problems early in the race with all the spray that was being kicked up. Water was coming into the cockpit and running down the inside of the windshield making it very hard to see. Once I got by the Porsche for fourth I focused on holding my position. I am pleased with the finish, as I think I had the fourth fastest car here today."
TOM MILNER, OWNER BMW TEAM PTG:
"This is probably one of the best wet wins we have had and we leave a difficult Lime Rock weekend with the Manufacturer's Championship lead. We lost Boris' car in qualifying and could not get it repaired for the race. We have finished in most every combination here, but I think a one-three-four may be a new one."
TOM SALKOWSKY, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC: "Under very difficult weather conditions I have to give credit to Team PTG for making great calls in setting up the M3s for the rain. Everyone expects Hans Stuck and Bill Auberlen to do well in the rain, but I think an equally great performance was turned in by Justin Marks, who from seventh finished fourth to take the last points-paying position, thus securing BMW the lead in the Manufacturer's Championship. Two wins on one holiday weekend make a great way to start off the summer."
|
BMW Racing News 
Thursday December 04, 2008
BMWsport Home | Supporting Members | Newsletters | 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 | NAIAS | Product Reviews | Special BMW's | BMW M1 Homage | 2009 ALMS M3 | 2006 BMW M5 | BMW History | Main Download Page | BMW Wallpapers | Videos | WinAMP Skins | Search | Links | Affiliates | Sitemap |
Maybe you all could support me a li...
Mike is #1 ;)
Clear the decks for the race versio...
Look out porsche...
login/logout disabled
fixed
Kumho Tires
2 years later - these tires were put ...
about the site lately
remember the PIC'S