BMW TEAM PTG M3s TO START FIRST AND THIRD IN MID-OHIO ROAD RACING CLASSIC
Auberlen Driving For Record-Setting Sixth Consecutive GT Victory
BMW Team PTG got off to a fast start to the second half of the 2004 Rolex
Sports Car Series today at Mid-Ohio. Bill Auberlen, driving the No. 21 BMW Team
PTG M3, scored his fifth GT class pole of the season with a lap of 1:26.196
minutes around the 2.4-mile Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. With a victory in
tomorrow's 250-mile Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic Auberlen can become the first
driver in Rolex series history to score six consecutive wins-in-a row. He will
co-drive with Justin Marks.
Teammates Boris Said and Joey Hand will start third in the No. 22 BMW Team PTG
M3 after Said's 1:27.579 qualifying effort.
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.
The 250-mile Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET
on Saturday, August 7 and be broadcast same-day on Speed Channel at 8:00 p.m.
ET.
BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (first):
"The initial set-up we have put onto our M3 has been very good. We have not had
to touch a screw today. To get the six-win record would be great, but the
records come from wins and that is what I am always focused on."
JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (first):
"I think Bill and I have enjoyed the advantage of just racing here last month
in our BMW Speed Touring cars. We are quick and confident, but the weight break
given to the Porsches will mean we will need good race and pit strategy to win."
BORIS SAID, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (third):
"We are struggling a bit with the set-up on the No. 22 M3. We will have to look
at the data and see what we will change. I don't think we are to the point of a
"fourth-and-long call" as we have the grip. It is just a question of balance
and we haven't found it quite yet."
JOEY HAND, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (third):
"I like to qualify, but I like to be the finishing driver even more. Boris and
I are working with the crew to tune the M3 and by tomorrow's warm-up I know we
will be faster."
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