SPORTS CAR News

At the eight-hour mark of the 12 Hours at Sebring the No.42 BMW Motorsport M3 GTR of Jorg Muller and JJ Lehto has completed 218 laps and continues to lead the GT class.
The No. 43 BMW Motorsport M3 of Fredrik Ekblom and Dirk Muller retired at the seven-hour mark with an engine failure - the cause of which is suspected to be the same that put the No. 10 PTG M3 of Bill Auberlen, Niclas Jonsson and Joey Hand out just past the two-hour mark.
Hans Stuck, Boris Said and Peter Cunningham are following their planned schedule of running safely and consistently to the end of their fuel loads keeping the No. 6 PTG M3 a strong fourth - five laps behind the front runners.

Peter Cunningham, driver No. 6 BMW M3
"Another good stint and still no drama. I got a little too tricky on my pit entry - came in too fast - and we got a stop-and-go penalty. Otherwise it was a good tank of gas - the M3 is running awesome."

Boris Said, driver No. 6 BMW M3
"So far we are doing just what we planned and take it easy on the car. We can't run with the two factory Porsches or the M3 GTR, but we can run to the end, collect some points and wait for our GTR at Sears Point"

Tom Salkowsky, Motorsport Manager, BMW of North America, LLC
"Sebring is a tough track on the cars, the teams and the drivers. We've experienced some engine problems today - specifically with pistons - in our 6-cylinder powered M3s. Right now, to be in 4th place with the No. 6 M3 and fighting for a race win with the No. 42 M3 GTR is great. To have the M3 GTR do so well in its first race - "at the deep end of the pool" as Gerhard Berger has said - is spectacular."



News Release
BMW M3 GTR Leading After Eight Hours

BMW of North America/BMW Team PTG News BMW Team PTG Notes and Quotes Exxon Superflo 12 Hours of Sebring Saturday March 17, 2001 Race: 8 Hour Report - M3 GTR Continues To Lead In GT, No. 6 PTG M3 Fourth At the eight-hour mark of the 12 Hours at Sebring the No.42 BMW Motorsport M3 GTR of Jorg Muller and JJ Lehto has completed 218 laps and continues to lead the GT class. The No. 43 BMW Motorsport M3 of Fredrik Ekblom and Dirk Muller retired at the seven-hour mark with an engine failure - the cause of which is suspected to be the same that put the No. 10 PTG M3 of Bill Auberlen, Niclas Jonsson and Joey Hand out just past the two-hour mark. Hans Stuck, Boris Said and Peter Cunningham are following their planned schedule of running safely and consistently to the end of their fuel loads keeping the No. 6 PTG M3 a strong fourth - five laps behind the front runners. Peter Cunningham, driver No. 6 BMW M3 "Another good stint and still no drama. I got a little too tricky on my pit entry - came in too fast - and we got a stop-and-go penalty. Otherwise it was a good tank of gas - the M3 is running awesome." Boris Said, driver No. 6 BMW M3 "So far we are doing just what we planned and take it easy on the car. We can't run with the two factory Porsches or the M3 GTR, but we can run to the end, collect some points and wait for our GTR at Sears Point" Tom Salkowsky, Motorsport Manager, BMW of North America, LLC "Sebring is a tough track on the cars, the teams and the drivers. We've experienced some engine problems today - specifically with pistons - in our 6-cylinder powered M3s. Right now, to be in 4th place with the No. 6 M3 and fighting for a race win with the No. 42 M3 GTR is great. To have the M3 GTR do so well in its first race - "at the deep end of the pool" as Gerhard Berger has said - is spectacular." contact Bill Cobb, cellular 215-431-7223 or wrcobb@attglobal.net