ALMS Petit Le Mans Half Distance - BMW Motorsport

Race Saturday, half-distance
Round 8, American Le Mans Series
6 October 2001, Braselton, Ga.

BMW Motorsport leading GT

Munich/Braselton.   BMW Motorsport was first and third in the GT class after five hours of the 10-hour / 1000-mile Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.  JJ Lehto (FIN) started the No. 42 BMW M3 GTR from the pole position.  He and Fredrik Ekblom (S) led for the first 90 minutes.  Their teammate Dirk Müller (D), driving with Jörg Müller (D), started second in the No. 43 GTR.  He took the class lead from Ekblom and held it until 2h25, when Lehto regained the lead.  Lehto was hit by a prototype car 10 minutes later and pitted, losing one lap to Dirk Müller, who retook the lead.  Karl Wendlinger (D), the third driver in the No. 42 car, drove a double stint from about 3h15 to 5h15.  At the halfway mark, the No. 43 car was first in class and the No. 42 third.

The No. 6 BMW Team PTG GTR, driven by Hans Stuck (D), Boris Said (USA) and Bill Auberlen (USA) was second after five hours.  The No. 10 PTG car, driven by Niclas Jönsson (S), Brian Cunningham (USA) and David Murry (USA) retired after 3h45 with a driveshaft failure.
 
JJ Lehto #42:  "We're running well.  We've been quick all the time.  We just had a little tangle with the Dyson car and lost a lap, so we'll have to get it back."
 
Fredrik Ekblom #42:  "It's been good so far.  The car works good and the pit stops have been really good.  We had a small incident that put us one lap behind the leader, but for sure, we will come back."

Karl Wendlinger #42:  "I stayed in the car because it wasn't that difficult, got new tires and fuel.  I feel okay, no problem.  I always feel more comfortable with more time in the car."

Jörg Müller #43:  "We're fine at the moment, we're saving fuel, saving the car.  If it's just half-time it means there's half-time to go.  We really have to watch the mirrors and carry it home to finish in front of the Porsches."
 
Dirk Müller #43:  "My first two stints went really, really well, without any problems.  It's quite tough because Jörg and I are doing it alone.  I had a very short break after my first stint and jumped in again for an additional full stint.  But I'm feeling good, having pasta and looking forward to the rest of the race."