Utah: BimmerWorld race report

BimmerWorld Turns Up The Heat At Miller Motorsports Park

Taking on 103 degree heat, a new four and a half mile ribbon of asphalt, and a fiercely competitive field of World Challenge Touring Cars, the BimmerWorld team showed their mettle at Saturday's SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Utah Grand Prix. The fabulous new Miller Motorsports Park was just what the doctor ordered as the BimmerWorld crew enjoyed a breakthrough weekend pushing the newly developed E90 race car into the top-10. In the inaugural race for Miller Motorsports Park. Seth Thomas drove his BimmerWorld #38 BMW 3251 to a 7th place finish. Paul Goldman came in 15th with the #39 BimmerWorld BMW 325i, while James Clay did not accrue a time, his #37 BimmerWorld BMW 325i breaking at the start.

"This was a great weekend for BimmerWorld Racing team and a huge stride in the development of the new E90 chassis," remarked BimmerWorld owner and driver, James Clay. "I qualified 7th with Seth [Thomas] directly behind me on the grid in 9th. We were really looking forward to a strong race. Unfortunately, the half-shaft broke on the start. Our RWD BMWs hook up well on the start and we usually enjoy a fantastic launch. This time, however, the traction was too much for the equipment and it gave up on me."

"Regardless of my own misfortune," continued Clay, "I was proud to watch Seth lay down a strong top-10 finish in his new E90. It was evidence that the BimmerWorld guys are getting this new car hooked up!"

"We were very pleased for Paul Goldman too," added Clay. "Paul improved both through testing and through the entire race weekend, concluding with his best career finish in Saturday's race."

Seth Thomas, driver of the #38 BimmerWorld 325i, shared Clay's enthusiasm for the week's events.

"What an exciting race," exclaimed Thomas. "There was action for me from the start to the finish. I had a solid start and was running with the lead pack until I had cooling issues. A couple of spins in the lead pack happen right in front of me and then someone had a motor blow. Those events work to my advantage. I can't say enough about how well the car ran throughout the race. Once again, the BimmerWorld crew did a great job making the car right for the me and the new track. I think today's finish is proof the E90 325 is getting faster and faster. This race showed the BimmerWorld E90 is going to be a race winner real soon."

"While it was disappointing to see James have problems at the start, our teammate, Paul Goldman, made all the BimmerWorld Boys proud," Seth noted. "He had his first Top-15 finish and showed huge improvements in his speed with the E46 325. I really could have used James to help me run up towards the front though. I'm sure he will be back leading the team at Denver!"

The Utah Grand Prix will be broadcast Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. (EDT) on SPEED Channel.

The next race for the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship will be Aug. 11-13 at Denver for Round Six of the 10- race Championship.

-jt