The 4,0418 miles xiv turn track at Road America is known every bit one of fastest circuits in the American LeMans serial. As of last Sunday, information technology will also exist remembered every bit the track where BMW Rahal Letterman scored their outset victory in the ALMS competition. Information technology has been a yr since the official announcement at the Chicago Auto Bear witness 2008 and the BMW Rahal Letterman Team has shown significant progress throughout the year, therefore an imminent win was on the horizon. Drivers Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Tommy Milner and Dirk Müller take monopolized the Road America race to bring a 1-2 win for BMW and its partner Rahal Letterman Racing Team.

But how did they go to this win? Allow's take recap the events that led to their first victory for the BMW Motorsport GT2 program.

The cars looked during qualifying on Saturday and delivered an all-BMW M3 front row for the upcoming race. Historically the BMW M3 GT2 has been very fast through turns during the season and with 14 turns, the Route America track was a lucifer for the car's capabilities.

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Joey Hand driving the M3 GT2 No.xc came in the first position with its teammate Dirk Muller and automobile No.92 in second. As Martin Birkmann, BMW of N America Motorsport Manager, said the mean solar day before the race,  "Peachy grid positions are important, and we have seen that peculiarly in the last two races…."

Beside scoring P1-P2 on the race grid, the results boosted the team's confidence and that is something nosotros have noticed immediately on Dominicus while speaking to Tommy Milner and Dirk Muller. Their mental attitude was very positive and they were eager to go on the track and make a memorable race.

Spending some time around the auto gave me the risk to acquire more near the amazing M3 GT2 that I fell in dear the outset time I saw it at Chicago Automobile Testify. Compared to the previous generations, the M3 GT2 machine looks quite different.

First, elements of the BMW EfficientDynamics are nowadays in the GT2, one of them is the reduced internal friction which increases horsepower and reduces the cooling load.

Second, the aerodynamics of the car take been far improved by reducing the size of cooling openings and channel the air more efficiently. Within, the car features a new "on-demand" ac system.

The M3 GT2 keeps the famous BMW fifty/l weight distribution, same as in the street car, just not easily achieved. Several modifications were needed to maintain this ration: the engine sits further back and the transmission was moved at back of the car. As a curiosity, the Dynamic Traction Control in the M3 GT2 features twelve settings.

The two cars were also sporting new ///M decals on their roof and of grade, the mini-video cameras for the Speed TV broadcast.

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Courtesy of BMW Northward America and especially Matt Russell, Martin Birkman and Nib Cobb, yours truly had the privilege to watch this race correct from the team's pit stop, an  unique experience that gave me the opportunity to learn more than about the squad and of course, to bring you some amazing photos and footage.

Prior to the showtime, thousands of fans nowadays at Road America had the opportunity to join the ALMS teams on the runway, spend some time effectually the drivers and photoshooting their cars. A keen initiative that helps the teams connect with their fans, all role of the show that makes this competition so attractive.

Tommy Milner and Dirk Muller took advantage of the front end row positions placing themselves at the height of this race.  15 minutes into the race, an early on yellow flag was raised which caused some controversy. Bill Auberlen and Tom Milner were waved around the stride car due to their position on the track. This gave the BMW Rahal Letterman drivers a pregnant reward over the rest of the GT2 drivers. This has been a controversy at previous races every bit well where information technology has not worked in BMW's favor. The officials explained that the two M3 GT2 cars were waved around as a safety measure because they were in between the two leaders who were driving the much faster P1 cars.

At this betoken, Tommy and Bill were the leaders in the race with over a lap ahead of the other cars.

The green flag came dorsum at the 31-minute mark, simply prior to this, both M3s were able to pit for fuel. It was a dandy opportunity for myself to see the Rahal Letterman crew in action and determine if they live up to their name as the fastest coiffure in the GT2 competition.

Matt Russell, BMW Production & Technology Communications Motorsport, says: "BMW chose Rahal Letterman Racing as its logistics and operations partner for many reasons, but for fans the nearly tangible reason may be the benefit the team delivers on the pit wall. Watch i pit cease where the coiffure changes tires, adds fuel, and swaps drivers, and you lot'll instantly sympathize why BMW felt RLR was the best fit. "

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At the 60-infinitesimal marker, the 2d yellowish came out during the pit stops. In this period of time, both M3s were serviced and driver changes took place: Dirk Mueller stepped in along with Joey Manus. Even though Dirk pulled alee during the pit finish, at 1-hour 20-infinitesimal mark, a penalty was assessed to the BMW Rahal Letterman team, more specifically to Dirk Mueller who was charged with a cease and go penalty plus 60 second penalty for besides many men over the pit wall.

The race continued with Joey Paw at the atomic number 82. A bit over the two-hours mark, Hand pitted one more time for fuel and new Dunlop tires. Despite the race penalization, Dirk Mueller maintained his second position and giving BMW Rahal Letterman, not but the kickoff win in the championship, but likewise a 1-2 finish.

A corking win for BMW Rahal Letterman and for the talented drivers who can now confidently look forward to the next races. Also, it is imperative to mention the great job done by the engineers at the Motorsport division in Germany, some of them present at this race.

Last but not to the lowest degree, kudos to Dunlop who has proven to be a strategic partner for BMW Rahal Letterman team and their continuous endeavor in improving their tires, an important element in whatever race.

It is difficult to describe the joy among the squad members at the end of this race and I could tell how relieved they felt after this race, an important pace in the championship that showed they are on the right runway.

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This has been my commencement fourth dimension attending an American LeMans race and the experience has been more intense and exciting that I take ever imagined. Regardless if you lot're watching the race from behind the pit finish or the seats surrounding the circuit, the ALMS GT2 competition will continue you entertained and volition guarantee a good time.

Now if you're a BMW fan, and then watching these two amazing M3 GT2 cars live is a no-brainer.

Enjoy the multiple photos taken around the excursion, in the pit and the paddock.