BMW Team PTG: Portland - Friday Test Session

BMW Team PTG/BMW of North America
Notes and Quotes
ALMS Grand Prix of Portland
Portland International Raceway
August 3, 2001

Friday Test Session:
Today's one and one-half hour test session for the American Le Mans Grand Prix of Portland ended with the top-six GT class cars separated by only one second and two Porsche GT3 RSs in front of the four BMW M3 GTRs.  Jörg Müller led the BMW's at 1:14.141, followed by Bill Auberlen (1:14.521), Fredrik Ekblom (1:14.542) and Boris Said (1:14.614)

Bill Auberlen, driver No. 10 PTG M3 GTR

"We are looking alright - there are a few things that we have to do.  The Porsches are showing big speed, but I am confident that we can race with them.

Niclas Jönsson, driver No. 10 PTG M3 GTR

"We learned a great deal about the GTR today.  Portland has much less traction than Sears Point.  There was hardly any grip today and everyone was struggling.  We made a number of improvements during the session and we have more to do.  We will sit down with our engineers tonight and prepare for tomorrow."

Hans Stuck, driver No. 6 PTG M3 GTR

"We are sorting out the car and looking for grip. The surface here is much different than at Sears Point and we are seeing more competition here.  The Porsche seems to be able to get the power down, but we have two more hours tomorrow."

Boris Said, driver No. 6 PTG M3 GTR

"This track has always been slippery and it is hard to find the car's balance.  We went through a number of charges and I think we are zeroing in on it.  Tomorrow will be a better day."

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Contact:
Bill Cobb
215-295-4934
215-295-2202 fax
215-431-7223 cellular
wrcobb@attglobal.net