Leading the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), BMW Team RLL prepares for its home race at Mid-Ohio (US). Based in Hilliard, Ohio the team will be competing less than fifty miles from its workshops and headquarters. The “Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge” marks the mid-point in the 2011 season. Last year, Bobby Rahal’s (US) team finished the race at the circuit next to Lexington (US) on the podium. Bill Auberlen (US) and Tommy Milner (US) were third in their BMW M3 GT.
Following three wins in the first three races and a fourth-place finish at the “Grand Prix of Mosport” (CA), Dirk Müller (DE) and Joey Hand (US) currently lead the GT Driver standings in the number 56 car. With 80 points each they are 23 points ahead. The drivers of the BMW M3 GT number 55, Dirk Werner (DE) and Auberlen, are currently third with 46 points each. As we approach the middle of the season, BMW Team RLL leads the GT Team points standings and BMW leads the GT Manufacturers’ standings.
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal): “Mid-Ohio is obviously a track that our team circles on the calendar every year, and personally it is a track that holds a lot of memories for myself and my family. The BMW Team RLL M3 GTs were strong at Mosport but the strongest car doesn’t always win, which is one of the great things about racing. We had a great start to the season, but our advantages can be erased fairly rapidly if we don’t come to the track every weekend ready to compete. I promise that we will be ready to compete this weekend at Mid-Ohio.”
Bill Auberlen (Car number 55):“We had amazing cars at Mosport and were the team to beat. After some trouble for both cars we finished on the podium and that’s great for the team. Now we are going to BMW Team RLL's home track. The cars were really good last year at Mid-Ohio. The track has great fast straights and the technical aspects of the track are handled really well by our cars on Dunlop tyres. Add in our deep track knowledge and I think we should look really good.”
Dirk Werner (Car number 55):“Bill and I are still within striking distance of second place in the championship. Thanks to the good results they have enjoyed recently, our teammates Dirk and Joey have opened up a bit of a gap at the top of the table. Nevertheless, we want to go on the offensive at Mid-Ohio. It is the home circuit for BMW Team RLL and we all want to get a good result there. I think the circuit suits our car and I know the circuit very well having already raced there a few times. My teammate Bill also knows it very well, so it is all set up for us to get a good result there.”
Joey Hand (Car number 56):“Everybody knows Mid-Ohio has had its ups and downs for me, but I really like the track. Its home track for BMW Team RLL and the friends and family of team will be there. I lived in Cleveland, Ohio for three years and Mid-Ohio was my home track back then. It’s one of those tracks where you need to have some tricks up your sleeve and I know a few of them. So far this year the team brings out a great race car every time and I don’t expect anything different at Mid-Ohio. Mosport did not end up as we wished, but the M3 GT was really quick the whole time. This has been a career year for me and I am looking for more.”
Dirk Müller (Car number 56): “At Mosport we were unfortunate to pick up the drive-through penalty that prevented us finishing anywhere higher than fourth place. However, we still have a very solid lead in the championship. So, with the battle for the title in mind, our goal for Mid-Ohio is to extend our lead. Mid-Ohio is a very technical circuit with many different surfaces and some very slow corners. Personally, I like it a lot and am really looking forward to it. It will be another hard fought battle in the GT class. We are generally under a lot of pressure there, as it is the home race for BMW Team RLL. There will be a lot of family members and friends there, all cheering for us.”
