BMW TEAM PTG M3s TAKE FIVE-WIN STREAK INTO SECOND HALF OF ROLEX SEASON
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.
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