BMW TEAM PTG M3s 1-2 AT WATKINS GLEN
Said and Hand score first win in the No. 22 M3
Watkins Glen, NY - (Aug. 17, 2004)... The BMW Team PTG M3s continued to have
the measure of the Rolex Sports Car Series GT field, finishing 1-2 in the Glen
200 at a wet Watkins Glen International on Friday, August 13th. It was the
team's seventh win in a row and third 1-2 finish of the season.
Boris Said and Joey Hand, driving the No. 22 BMW Team PTG M3, finished 71 laps
in the 200-mile contest, finishing less than one second ahead of the No. 21 M3
of Bill Auberlen and Justin Marks. The victory was the first for the No. 22 M3
this season, as well as Hand's first win as a BMW Team PTG driver.
BMW continues to lead all GT categories. BMW is first in GT Manufacturer
Points. Auberlen, the first driver in series history to win six races in a row,
has sole possession of the lead in the GT Driver Points. Said stands just four
points back in second, Marks is fourth and Hand is eighth. The No. 21 M3 is
first and the No. 22 M3 moved to fourth in Team Owner Points.
With qualifying cancelled due to inclement weather the starting grids were
based on team owner points. The No. 21 M3 started first and the No. 22 M3
started fifth. Auberlen and Hand quickly had both M3s running 1-2. A downpour
began some 45 minutes into the race and after safely making their way to the
pits, Marks and Said took over. The two swapped the lead three times in the
final 20 laps with Said taking the victory over Marks by less than one car
length.
Round 9 of the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series, the Miami 250 will take place on
September 10th-12th at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. BMW Team PTG finished 1-2
in the second round of the series in March's Grand Prix of Miami.
JOEY HAND, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3: (first):
"The M3 was the best it has been all season. I started fifth and was quickly up
to second. When the rain came I had a small spin coming back to the pits, but I
kept it off the wall. Boris drove a great race at the end. Of course, I am
delighted with my first M3 and GT win, but I am especially happy for the crew
of the No. 22 M3 who have worked so hard this year. "
JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER. NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (second):
"The race was as good as it could possibly be without winning. I got a good
start and had a good race. I have been looking for quality seat time this
season and I got it today. The rainy conditions made every lap an adventure and
you had to stay focused to find the changing line. I had a good battle with
Boris at the end, but his experience won out. No shame in second today."
TOM MILNER, OWNER, BMW TEAM PTG:
"Everything went our way and we were lucky in the rain. All four drivers drove
great races and Boris and Justin had a great battle at the end. I am very
pleased for the crew of the No. 22 car. They have been working hard every day,
but coming up a bit short in the race. Today it was their race."
HERNANDO CARVAJAL, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC:
"This weekend we achieved another great result with our seventh win in a row,
and our third 1-2 BMW M3 finish. The M3 proved to be the best car for the rainy
conditions where precise handling was a premium. Once again, congratulations to
BMW Team PTG."
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