24-Hour-Race Nürburgring - Qualifying

Team BMW Motorsport has claimed good starting positions for the
Nürburgring 24 Hour Race following the two qualifying sessions to
determine the grid. Dirk Müller (GER), Jörg Müller (GER)
and Hans-Joachim Stuck (GER) in the BMW M3 GTR carrying number 1 set
the third fastest time round the Nordschleife with 8:45.323. Car number
2 driven by Pedro Lamy (POR), Duncan Huisman (NLD), Boris Said (USA)
and Andy Priaulx (GBR) will start the long distance classic from fourth
position. Stuck, who set the best time for car number 1, said:
"All the systems are running perfectly. We are very happy with the
performance of our car." While part of the first practice session
in the morning was held in wet conditions, the drivers found dry
conditions during the four hour practice session held in the evening on
the 25.278 kilometre circuit. Team BMW Motorsport was able to improve
on the lap times set in the morning session, during the evening session
which was held partly in the dark. However, the crew from Schnitzer
Motorsport and BMW have a busy night ahead of them. Nearly 90 minutes
before the end of the final session, Lamy, at the wheel of the BMW M3
GTR (car number 2), was involved in a collision while overtaking a
slower competitor. The left rear of the M3 GTR was hit and the car spun
off. This meant the session was over for Lamy. Charly Lamm, Team BMW
Motorsport Team Manager, said: "We are coming out of the two
Friday sessions with mixed emotions. The drivers are very happy with the
cars, which is reflected in the starting positions. Unfortunately we
cannot predict at this time whether the BMW M3 GTR number 2 will be
able to start the race. The damage the car suffered during the accident
will mean a long night for the mechanics." The Nürburgring
24 Hour Race will start on Saturday at 15.00 hours. With 17 wins to
date BMW is the most successful marque in the Eifel region. Results:
1. J. Alzen/U. Alzen/K. Ludwig/P. Dumbreck (Porsche 996 Turbo)
8:30.846, 2. L. Luhr/T. Bernhard/E. Collard/M. Tiemann (Porsche 911
GT3-MR) 8:37.193, 3. D. Müller/J. Müller/H.-J. Stuck/P. Lamy
(BMW M3 GTR) 8:45.323, 4. P. Lamy/B. Said/D. Huisman/ A. Priaulx (BMW
M3 GTR) 8:45.913, 5. P. Zakowski/R. Lechner/S. Bert (Dodge Viper GTS-R)
8:49.922, M. Basseng/M. Lieb/M. Rockenfeller (Porsche GT3 RSR)
8:53.871, H. Tilke/D. Adorf/P. Simon (V8-Star Jaguar) 8:58.390, 8. R.
Asch/D. Schoysman/T. Kinoshita/T. Tanaka (Nissan Skyline GT-R)
9:05.189, 9. H.-P. Huppert-Nieder/W. Mohr/M. Großmann/A.
Gülden (Dodge Viper GTS-R) 9:06.333, 10. P. Mamerow/C. Mamerow/W.
Kaufmann (Porsche 996 GT3 RS) 9:14.683