BMW Team RLL Race Results at ALMS Monterey

Jason · 05-11-2013, 11:33 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Team RLL Race Results at ALMS Monterey - Laguna Seca

13
COMMENTS

BMW Team RLL Finishes Third at ALMS Monterey; Müller Takes GT Driver Points Lead

12.05.2013

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – May 11, 2013 . . . Dirk Müller and John Edwards, driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, scored a third place finish in today’s four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race. A second consecutive podium finish for the No. 56 machine and a win for the No. 55 car at Long Beach in only the third race of the new program keeps BMW in second place in the GT class manufacturer point standings and moves Müller to the top of the GT class driver points.

Müller started the car from the eighth starting position and by lap 27 had moved up to fourth. Just past the first hour, on lap 45, he moved to third and stayed there until handing off to Edwards on lap 57 during the races third caution period. Edwards remained in third until what could only be considered as a move-of-the-race move gave him second with an in-an-out dodge through slower traffic. A mistake on a restart cost him one spot, but he held onto third for his first ALMS podium finish.

Unfortunately, the No. 55 Z4 GTE of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin suffered a broken differential shortly after the mid-point of the race and had to retire on lap 85. Auberlen started the car from the fifth position and ran strongly in third for most of his first stint. A pitstop to replace damaged rear body work dropped him back one lap, but he was back on the lead lap before handing off to Martin on lap 83. Only two laps later Martin was back in the pits in a cloud of oil smoke and, ultimately, out of the race.

“Certainly today was a bitter sweet one,” said Bobby Rahal. “I’m sorry to see Bill and Max have to retire after fighting back from a lap down. Dirk is on top now and John had a very strong race. It is very hard to combat an obvious speed differential to many of our competitors, but we will keep fighting every day.”

“John and Dirk did a great job today,” said Gordon McDonnell, BMWNA Motorsport Manager. “Only three races into our new Z4 GTE program BMW Team RLL has raced Dirk to the top of the driver points and BMW to second in manufacturer points.”

John Edwards, driver No. 56 Z4 GTE – (3rd) - “The move was very intense. I’ve raced with Bryan (Sellers) a great deal in the GRAND AM Continental Series and when we came up on traffic I got alongside of him. When the traffic moved we had a little contact, but Bryan always races clean. I was able to take second from him, but unfortunately, I made a mistake on a restart getting a little greedy and he got the spot back. All-in-all, I am delighted to get my first ALMS podium.”

Dirk Müller, driver No. 56 Z4 GTE – (3rd) - “We certainly were able to carry the momentum from Long Beach to another podium here at Laguna Seca. It is great to take the driver points lead, but it is so close, only single digits separate all of us now. I’m sorry Bill and Max could not finish the race.”

ESPN’s two-hour summary of the American Le Mans Monterey is set to be broadcast at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12. More information on the program can be found at www.bmwusanews.com and www.alms.com.

Following the traditional eight week break in the season for teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Round Four of the 2013 American Le Mans Series will be held at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Conn., on July 6 with the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix.

BMW Team RLL at ALMS Monterey 2013

Eagle1oh7 · 05-12-2013, 12:32 AM

I was there! Dirk and John took it home. Didn't see what happened to Auberlein and Martin in the No. 55. RLL had a good defense early on in the race, but it slowly eroded, but still a podium win, even if it wasn't the same magic we saw at Long Beach.

bimmerjph · 05-12-2013, 01:07 AM

John Edwards is one hell of a driver. Going three wide into turn ten while taking second without wrecking was quite impressive.

vladberca · 05-12-2013, 04:05 AM

This result proves that they can reach the podium in every race

NAV8TT · 05-12-2013, 09:19 AM

They should go back to the m3

LemonOne · 05-12-2013, 09:30 AM

John Edwards has some balls!!
I think he is talented.
Great job.

Transfer · 05-12-2013, 10:22 AM

Great race yesterday.

Diver · 05-12-2013, 10:59 AM

I just love those race modified M3's

sensi09 · 05-12-2013, 04:17 PM

Is the #56 Z4 Joey Hands regular ride or is he going to concentrate on DTM now?

flanast · 05-12-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWFB02

They should go back to the m3

+1

auaq · 05-12-2013, 10:42 PM

I want those two carbon fibre horns behind the gills.

mtrhed · 05-14-2013, 04:16 AM

Just got back from Monterey today!
Great time at the races, weather was perfect, lots of cool cars and nice peeps. I love LagunaSeca for watching races because you can go everywhere around the track and find some really cool views. Very few cars really get me excited but the Z4GTE cars are pretty sweet(458 Italia's were sweet too). Nice guys driving them too. Hope they keep doing well.

Dan

pseto · 05-14-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensi09

Is the #56 Z4 Joey Hands regular ride or is he going to concentrate on DTM now?

He splits his time between ALMS and DTM. I'm sure he'll head over to Europe for this weekend's race

z4z4z4 · 05-14-2013, 09:48 PM

Miss the M3. But no more backseat sex, just 2 seat erotica from BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, Viper, Audi, Lambo, McLaren.
Touring and Sedans have other series to enjoy.

05-11-2013, 11:33 PM	#1
Jason Administrator 40712 Rep 21,238 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW Team RLL Race Results at ALMS Monterey - Laguna Seca BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW Team RLL Race Results at ALMS Monterey - Laguna Seca 13 COMMENTS Tweet BMW Team RLL Finishes Third at ALMS Monterey; Müller Takes GT Driver Points Lead 12.05.2013 Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – May 11, 2013 . . . Dirk Müller and John Edwards, driving the No. 56 BMW Z4 GTE, scored a third place finish in today’s four-hour American Le Mans Monterey race. A second consecutive podium finish for the No. 56 machine and a win for the No. 55 car at Long Beach in only the third race of the new program keeps BMW in second place in the GT class manufacturer point standings and moves Müller to the top of the GT class driver points. Müller started the car from the eighth starting position and by lap 27 had moved up to fourth. Just past the first hour, on lap 45, he moved to third and stayed there until handing off to Edwards on lap 57 during the races third caution period. Edwards remained in third until what could only be considered as a move-of-the-race move gave him second with an in-an-out dodge through slower traffic. A mistake on a restart cost him one spot, but he held onto third for his first ALMS podium finish. Unfortunately, the No. 55 Z4 GTE of Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin suffered a broken differential shortly after the mid-point of the race and had to retire on lap 85. Auberlen started the car from the fifth position and ran strongly in third for most of his first stint. A pitstop to replace damaged rear body work dropped him back one lap, but he was back on the lead lap before handing off to Martin on lap 83. Only two laps later Martin was back in the pits in a cloud of oil smoke and, ultimately, out of the race. “Certainly today was a bitter sweet one,” said Bobby Rahal. “I’m sorry to see Bill and Max have to retire after fighting back from a lap down. Dirk is on top now and John had a very strong race. It is very hard to combat an obvious speed differential to many of our competitors, but we will keep fighting every day.” “John and Dirk did a great job today,” said Gordon McDonnell, BMWNA Motorsport Manager. “Only three races into our new Z4 GTE program BMW Team RLL has raced Dirk to the top of the driver points and BMW to second in manufacturer points.” John Edwards, driver No. 56 Z4 GTE – (3rd) - “The move was very intense. I’ve raced with Bryan (Sellers) a great deal in the GRAND AM Continental Series and when we came up on traffic I got alongside of him. When the traffic moved we had a little contact, but Bryan always races clean. I was able to take second from him, but unfortunately, I made a mistake on a restart getting a little greedy and he got the spot back. All-in-all, I am delighted to get my first ALMS podium.” Dirk Müller, driver No. 56 Z4 GTE – (3rd) - “We certainly were able to carry the momentum from Long Beach to another podium here at Laguna Seca. It is great to take the driver points lead, but it is so close, only single digits separate all of us now. I’m sorry Bill and Max could not finish the race.” ESPN’s two-hour summary of the American Le Mans Monterey is set to be broadcast at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12. More information on the program can be found at www.bmwusanews.com and www.alms.com. Following the traditional eight week break in the season for teams participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Round Four of the 2013 American Le Mans Series will be held at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Conn., on July 6 with the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. BMW Team RLL at ALMS Monterey 2013
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-12-2013, 12:32 AM	#2
Eagle1oh7 Lieutenant Colonel 287 Rep 1,710 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chula Vista CA iTrader: (0)	I was there! Dirk and John took it home. Didn't see what happened to Auberlein and Martin in the No. 55. RLL had a good defense early on in the race, but it slowly eroded, but still a podium win, even if it wasn't the same magic we saw at Long Beach. __________________ DONE: Seibon CF Hood, M3 Rep, MSport rear w/DD CF Diffuser, M3 Rep Skirts, Seibon CSL trunklid, Forgestar F14 18s w/Michelin PSS, Eisenmann catback, AA Headers, BPC Stage 2, Charcoal Delete+revMotor+AFE Drop In filter FUTURE MODS: LED headlights, CF rooftop, M3 Suspension Conversion, Dinan CAI Mod
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 01:07 AM	#3
bimmerjph Colonel 121 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	John Edwards is one hell of a driver. Going three wide into turn ten while taking second without wrecking was quite impressive.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 04:05 AM	#4
vladberca Major General 763 Rep 5,560 Posts Drives: '18 octavia 2.0 tdi dsg Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova iTrader: (0)	This result proves that they can reach the podium in every race
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 09:19 AM	#5
NAV8TT Major 213 Rep 882 Posts Drives: 2013 ///M3 E92 DCT ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: The greatest country in the world iTrader: (0)	They should go back to the m3 __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 09:30 AM	#6
LemonOne Major 708 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: ///Most Powerful Letter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	John Edwards has some balls!! I think he is talented. Great job.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 10:22 AM	#7
Transfer Major General 5250 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Great race yesterday.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 10:59 AM	#8
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I just love those race modified M3's __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 04:17 PM	#9
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	Is the #56 Z4 Joey Hands regular ride or is he going to concentrate on DTM now?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-12-2013, 10:42 PM	#11
auaq Enlisted Member 0 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 03 530i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	I want those two carbon fibre horns behind the gills.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2013, 04:16 AM	#12
mtrhed Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 06 AW Z4MR/w211 e63 AMG/325XiT Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Just got back from Monterey today! Great time at the races, weather was perfect, lots of cool cars and nice peeps. I love LagunaSeca for watching races because you can go everywhere around the track and find some really cool views. Very few cars really get me excited but the Z4GTE cars are pretty sweet(458 Italia's were sweet too). Nice guys driving them too. Hope they keep doing well. Dan
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-14-2013, 09:48 PM	#14
z4z4z4 Lieutenant 45 Rep 547 Posts Drives: 2002 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes iTrader: (1)	Miss the M3. But no more backseat sex, just 2 seat erotica from BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette, Viper, Audi, Lambo, McLaren. Touring and Sedans have other series to enjoy. __________________ Sold 2011 Z4, kept 2002 M3 PM for various e89 parts 4sale. Last edited by z4z4z4; 02-04-2015 at 01:38 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote