BMW Team Schnitzer secures victory in the ILMC finale in Zhuhai.
Zhuhai, 7th November 2010. Successful end of the season for BMW Team Schnitzer: At the third and final round of the 2010 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in Zhuhai (CN), Jorg Muller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) claimed victory in the LMGT2 class with the BMW M3 GT2. After 202 laps, final-stint driver Muller took the chequered flag in first, 1:32.141 minutes ahead of the second-placed Porsche drivers Marc Lieb (DE) and Richard Lietz (AT). This is the first victory for the BMW M3 GT2 in this specification and the maiden win for BMW Team Schnitzer on mainland China.
Starting from third on the grid, Muller laid the foundation for this excellent result with a strong first stint in sunny conditions with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius. When he pitted at the end of lap 39 to hand over the wheel to his team-mate, the BMW M3 GT2 was already in the lead. Werner completed a double stint, consolidating the lead, and then Muller took over on lap 121. The BMW works driver drove home to victory at the 4.319-kilometre "Zhuhai International Circuit". While some competitors were involved in incidents, the BMW M3 GT2 was able to finish the race without any problems.
Victory in China marks the conclusion of a successful season for the BMW M3 GT2. At the Nurburgring, Team BMW Motorsport claimed the 19th victory for the brand in the classic 24-hour race. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team added one GT class win and both the team and the manufacturer title in the American Le Mans Series.
Charly Lamm (Team Manager):
"We are very happy to conclude the season with a victory. Our team returned
to endurance racing this year after a long absence, and we managed to
improve our performance with the BMW M3 GT2 on a race by race basis. Some of
our competitors were involved in incidents, which made life a bit easier for
us. But our overall package of car, drivers, Dunlop tyres and team was just
very strong. For the crew this is a great reward for the efforts they have
put in over the course of the season,"
Jorg Muller (Car Number 78):
"You can hardly wish for a more perfect race. It definitely helped a lot
that we had a chance to test here with the other teams in dry conditions
before the start of the weekend. I have to pay a compliment to our tyre
partner Dunlop: Our tyres were consistent from the very first lap, and
comfortable to drive throughout the race. The team didn't make a single
mistake."
Dirk Werner (Car Number 78):
"Driving the BMW M3 GT2 was great fun today. The car had a fantastic
balance, and also, thanks to our quick pit stops, we were able to
consolidate the lead early in the race and open up a gap. My double stint
was relatively easy, as Jorg had already done a great job before I took
over. It was crucial not to risk anything in the traffic and to keep fully
focussed throughout the stint. We managed to do exactly that. Our team
consistently improved the car over the course of the season and really
deserve this victory. It's great to finish the season with such a result."
-source: bmw












