BMW hour 4 report

Mixed feelings after first stage of Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans, 12 June 2010. The Le Mans 24 Hours is underway. BMW M3 GT2 number 78 is in the top ten of the LM GT2 category. Jorg Muller (DE) got the team off to a good start, driving two stints before handing the car over to Augusto Farfus (BR) on lap 28. After a further pit stop, the Brazilian is currently in ninth.

In dry conditions and with temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius, Dirk Muller (DE) made a promising start in the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car: The German found his rhythm quickly and was able to work his way through the field to sixth in class over the first few laps. Shortly before the second scheduled pit stop, however, the BMW works driver lost control of the car after a puncture to his rear left tyre. The no. 79 BMW M3 GT2 went wide, hit the kerbs and suffered severe damage. Among other things, the gearbox mounting had to be repaired and the undertray replaced. A good 50 minutes later Andy Priaulx (GB) was able to rejoin the action in 16th.

Jorg Muller (Car Number 78):
"We are lapping consistently with our car and are slowly moving forward. I made a good start, but was overtaken by two cars on the next straight. Our top speed is lacking a bit. I hope the circuit offers better grip soon, as that should make things a bit easier for us."

Dirk Muller (Car Number 79):
"It is a shame we lost so much time at the start of the race due to the puncture and the ensuing repairs. Up to that point the car had been fantastic, and I had made up a few positions. However, I suffered a rear left puncture as I was braking in Tertre Rouge. The damage meant we had to make a long pit stop. I am disappointed as we were going really well until that happened."

-source: bmw