BMW M3 GTR Debuts With a GT Class Third at Sebring
Exxon Superflo 12 Hours of Sebring
Saturday March 17, 2001
M3 GTR Finishes Third in GT Class Debut, PTG M3 Fourth
Fans watching the 49th annual Superflo 12 Hours at Sebring witnessed another BMW performance the German marque has come to deliver so often here.
In its debut race the new No. 42 BMW
Motorsport M3 GTR of JJ Lehto and Jorg Muller finished third in class,
covering 323 laps around the 3.7-mile circuit and setting the fastest GT
race lap and a track record in the process. (Muller 2:06.682 on lap 32)
The No. 6 Team PTG M3 of Hans Stuck, Boris Said and Peter Cunningham
finished fourth, covering 318 laps, providing a fitting end to the current
M3 CSL's career.
The No. 10 Team PTG M3 of Bill Auberlen, Niclas Jonsson and Joey Hand and the No. 42 BMW Motorsport M3 of Erik Ekblom and Dirk Muller both fell out of the race before half distance with engine problems.
While the new BMW M3 GTR - that now takes up the American Le Mans GT class challenge - and the M3 CSL - an icon in North American sports car racing through seven years of competition - look similar - their sound is the nothing alike. The 4.0-litre race-bred V8 engine that replaces the 3.2-liter in-line six makes a sound like nothing before it. It is the sound of change - and it was heard first - at Sebring.
"I'm very happy about fourth position because we did what we wanted - we got points to stay in the hunt for the championship. I enjoyed every single lap, and for us it was like a victory. We carried the car around as much as we could, stayed out of trouble and achieved the utmost possible. We hope to get our V8 in July and be front-runners again."
Boris Said, driver No. 6 BMW M3
"We knew we would not be competitive with the factory Porsches and
the M3 GTR. To start the year with a third in Texas and a fourth here is
the best we could expect. We've collected good points and will look
for some more at Sears Point."
Peter Cunningham, driver No. 6 BMW
M3
"Its great to be back with the BMW Team PTG effort. Boris and
Hans did the majority of the work today. I am just happy to be a
small part of it. I think Team PTG was the best prepared that I've
ever seen and the No. 6 M3 ran flawlessly."
Tom Milner, owner BMW Team PTG
"Fourth place is good - too bad for the No.10 car. The crew and
drivers did an outstanding job - really fantastic. BMW can be happy
with a third and a fourth."
Tom Salkowsky, Motorsport Manager,
BMW of North America, LLC
"A third and a fourth - another podium finish for BMW this year is a
great way to start the season. Our competition ran a terrific race
and we are thrilled at how the M3 GTR ran for twelve hours. It is a
testament to BMW Motorsport. Another great race by BMW Team PTG -
well prepared M3s - an excellent performance."