Pilots Dirk Muller and John Edwards won in the category GT (racing cars) in the fourth round of the American Le Mans Series 2013 on track Lime Rock Park in the United States. They started from the pole position in the BMW Z4 GTE at number 56. The victory allowed Mueller to strengthen the leadership in the individual competition pilots GT. Bill Auberlen and Max Martin on the car with the number 55 came fourth. Another highlight was the awarding of the car at number 56 awards Michelin Green X Challenge.
From the side it might seem that the BMW Z4 GTE victory came easily, as car number 56 almost all the time in the lead in the group GT. However, the outcome of the race, which lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, it was difficult to predict the way to the finish. Start in the second half of the day in hot summer weather - it's always a challenge for pilots and teams. Despite the heat, Edwards started with his first ALMS pole position and easily skated first stint. On lap 76 he handed over control to Mueller. Last hour and 45 minutes of the race were a serious test for the leader in the category of GT. Due to several technical stops on the route Muller lost all accumulated by the time advantage. Last technical stop occurred 14 minutes before the end of the race, but after 10 minutes at the Mueller was a distinct advantage in 0.905 seconds.
Martin started from the second position in the lattice on the BMW Z4 GTE at number 55. In AWT Bavaria early in the race there was a collision with a car the other party's address because he completed the first round of the tenth. However, Martin continued to race very successfully - by the 77 range when it is time to transfer the management Oberlenu, he later pulled into the pits to refuel and change tires left Michelin. He wanted to hold on to them until the end of the race. With the arrival rest of the riders in the pit-stops Oberlenu managed to get ahead and give yourself an edge in almost a circle. Unfortunately, the plan failed when the referees made Oberle BMW to roll into the pit lane for the collision, which could have been avoided.
This threw the rider in ninth place. As a result, he came in fourth second time by logging into the top five of the season.
Bobby Rahal - Team Manager BMW RLL:
"The race turned out difficult but interesting. Team Corvette has made us a high level of competition, but we managed to keep the lead through the technically enforceable overtaking. Unscheduled pit stop was not a problem for us, because we are almost at the range ahead of the main group. I am very pleased with the work the team BMW, a performance of John and Dirk - Dirk especially, which has strengthened its position in the Drivers' Championship. We needed this win because the other routes may be more difficult for our car. "
Gordon McDonnell - Manager of BMW Motorsport:
"We are very pleased to win the second BMW Z4 GTE this season, in addition to the home track. Congratulations to John Edwards with his first pole position in the ALMS and superbly finished stintom on the car 56. Dirk showed himself well - to keep the lead and came back with a victory. For BMW Z4 GTE race with the number 55 was not as successful, but we believe that Max and Bill will be able to get back into the first rows. I believe that we have started well postlemanovskuyu of the season. "
Dirk Müller:
"Today is just an incredibly lucky day! John skated great first stint, so I was bound to win. I sincerely want to thank the guys from Team BMW RLL. During the season, they are constantly improving the car for this race, he was in perfect condition. Michelin has provided great tires, BMW - the perfect car, and the result exceeded all expectations. "
John Edwards:
"We were the first in each session, except for the trial of arrival. This is my first win and the first pole position in the ALMS. The race was not easy, especially because of the very high humidity. The track is not allowed to relax for a second. After stinta I felt very tired. In such a hot day win brings more joy. Many thanks to the whole team. "
Bill Auberlen:
"At the beginning of the race we had a collision with Ferrari, because we dropped out of the number of leaders. However, we were able to once again break into the first position. Then there was the case with the car GTC, for which we were assigned a penalty. I was three-quarters of the housing in front of him and thought he saw me. But, apparently, it was not, so we ended up in ninth place. Despite this, we took fourth place in the championship progressed and earned valuable points. I want to apologize to the team. The guys working in the heat and high humidity, and we could thank them, winning a prize ... But never mind, next time we'll make it. "
