Munich (DE), 14th July 2014. BMW Team RLL improved from its starting positions to finish fourth and sixth in the sixth round of the United SportsCar Championship (USCC) at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, in Bowmanville (CA). After a wet morning warm up session, the 2 hour 45 minute race was held under sunny skies and ran caution free.
The number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM of John Edwards (US) and Dirk Müller (DE) finished fourth, completing 126 laps of the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit. Bill Auberlen (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB) also had a solid day, finishing sixth in the number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM after starting from tenth in class. The race was won by the Corvette of Jan Magnussen (DK) and Antonio Garcia (ES).
In the GTD class the Turner Motorsport BMW Z4 GTD, driven by Dane Cameron (US) and Markus Palttala (FI), finished third.
Bobby Rahal (Team Principal, BMW Team RLL):
“Realistically fourth is pretty darned good. Early on we got separated as the Corvette and Viper got away from everybody, and we just couldn’t chase them down. But I am pleased with fourth and sixth based on where we qualified. The car’s pace was pretty good. We were just not quite fast enough, but we will keep on pushing. I am very pleased with the job the drivers did. They were opportunistic and were able to pass. We had great pit stops today, so those guys did their jobs. All in all we have got to be happy with where we ended up.”
Dirk Müller (Number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“We had good starts, very good stints and John and myself had a car that we could push with. We ended up fourth, and I think that was our maximum result, so that is why we are happy, although it is true I really wanted to be on the podium. We had a clean race, and there were not any scratches on the car apart from some knocks from behind, as usual. I had fun in the car and so did John. We were pushing like crazy and that was the maximum we could have done.”
John Edwards (Number 56 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“It was really hard work just to come fourth. Our pace was decent and we got through traffic pretty well. It is not an easy track and I lost a lot of sweat in this race. Even when you are by yourself you are working really hard here. I am exhausted but pleased with the result.”
Bill Auberlen (Number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“We went in the right direction today. I gained a position and then Andy got in the car and got two more. Good driving and great racing today. We can be pleased with our performance.”
Andy Priaulx (Number 55 BMW Z4 GTLM):
“The car was transformed today and was much, much better. The guys did a great job last night, as they changed everything. We had a good solid day, those are good points for me and Bill and this keeps us in some sort of contention for the championship, although it is going to be tough as the Corvettes are really strong. The battle I had was awesome. I closed on the Falken Porsche, and just slipped by on the inside in turn one as a Prototype went through. We went all round the outside and he was very fair with me. It was quite edgy and then there was the Corvette. He was defending really heavily but I came through, saw a gap and took it.”
