ILMC: Zhuhai BMW preview

Chinese debut for BMW M3 GT2: ILMC season finale in Zhuhai.

Munich, 1st November 2010. This weekend the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup comes to an end in China. BMW Team Schnitzer is sending the no. 78 BMW M3 GT2 into action at the "Zhuhai International Circuit", with Jorg Muller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) taking turns at the wheel.

At the ILMC season opener in Silverstone (GB) Team Manager Charly Lamm's squad fielded the BMW M3 GT2, demonstrating the improved competitiveness of the car in LMGT2-spec. At the second round of the series, the American Le Mans Series finale in Road Atlanta (US), the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team just narrowly missed out on a podium by finishing fourth.

Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday at 14:30hrs local time (06:30hrs GMT). The 1000-kilometre race will start on Sunday at 12:00hrs (04:00hrs GMT).

Charly Lamm (Team Manager):
"Our team is really looking forward to the 1000-kilometre race in Zhuhai. Although in the past we have raced many times in Asia, we have never started in China before. Therefore we are celebrating a double debut at the Zhuhai International Circuit. This will be the final race for the BMW M3 GT2 in LMGT2-specification for this year. In Silverstone we were able to match the pace of the front-runners. That's why we are confident of scoring a good result in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup finale. In order to quickly come to terms with the track, we will try to make the most of the additional test sessions for all competitors on Thursday,"

Jorg Muller (Car Number 78):
"Our appearance in China will definitely be an interesting adventure. I have never raced in Zhuhai before. I'm looking forward to it, as I think it's great getting to know new tracks. I have celebrated some big successes in Macau, and now I hope to do the same in Zhuhai, which is situated just around the corner. Recently we have had a steep learning curve with the BMW M3 GT2, therefore I'm now travelling to Asia full of confidence."

Dirk Werner (Car Number 78):
"I have never raced in Asia before and cannot wait to go out on the track for the first time. It will certainly be a great experience. I'm fired up to finish the season on a high before entering the winter break. Over the course of the season we managed to be faster and faster, so reducing the gap to the front-runners. I hope it will be the same in China."

-source: bmw