BMW Team PTG: Laguna Seca ALMS Test Session

BMW Team PTG/BMW of North America
Notes and Quotes
Monterey Sports Car Championship
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
September 7, 2001

Friday Test Session:  M3 GTRs post 1,2,3 and 6th fastest times
The No. 10 Team PTG M3 GTR of reunited co-drivers Bill Auberlen and Boris Said topped the GT class times after today's one and one-half hour test session for Sunday's Monterey Sports Car Championships.  Said's time of 1:26.849 around the 2.238-mile Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was just a tick faster than both BMW Motorsport M3 GTRs.  The No. 42 M3 GTR of JJ Lehto and Jörg Müller was second quick (1:26.964) and the No. 43 of Fredrick Ekblom and Dirk Müller was third fastest (1:27.069).  The No. 6 Team PTG M3 GTR of Hans Stuck and Niclas Jönsson was separated from the other three M3 GTRs by only one-half second (1:27.540) with the sixth fastest time - two Porsche 911 GT3RSs in fourth and fifth.

Although Hans Stuck and Niclas Jönsson have not driven together before, Bill Auberlen and Boris Said had great success in past -- winning the 1997 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1998 12 Hours at Sebring.

Bill Auberlen, driver No. 10 PTG M3 GTR
"I'm really happy to be back.  The M3 has shown us a number of small things that we can work on tonight.  Driving with Boris feels just like old times.  We have won together before and we can win together again."

Boris Said, driver No. 10 PTG M3 GTR
"The M3 feels great.  We have a bit of work to do on the balance of the car for tomorrow.  I haven't driven with Bill in a few years and we will have a good race.  I miss my brother Hans - we have not been separated like this before."

Niclas Jönsson, driver No. 6 PTG M3 GTR
"The track is quite low on grip today.  Hans was in first and made a few changes.  I went out for about one-half hour on old tires before changing to new ones.  We saw a few more chances to improve the car.  It is an honor to drive with Hans and I will use the opportunity to learn from him."

Hans Stuck, driver No. 6 PTG M3 GTR
"I'm happy with the brakes and the rest of the car we are working on.  Everyone knows how much I like to drive with Boris, but now we have the European connection in the No. 6 M3.  Nic and I have a common understanding and will match our settings and away we go.  We understand that that we are racing for a championship and support every efforts towards it."