[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Team RLL Wins 2011 Long Beach ALMS

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – April 16, 2011… Joey Hand and Dirk Müller drove BMW Team RLL to the top of the GT class podium for a second consecutive time this season at today’s American Le Mans Series at Long Beach. The No. 56 M3 GT will be credited with the most laps led in the two hour contest, but not until the final minutes of the race were slowed by a caution flag was the outcome decided.

Hand started the race from the class pole and led for the opening laps, but lost the lead some twenty minutes into the race after an almost surreal set of circumstances. A few positions behind Hand, teammate Bill Auberlen, in the No. 55 M3 GT, was struck by a competitor and spun around 180 degrees in the tight confines of turn two. When he finally was able to get turned in the right direction Hand was back around and lost two positions as he avoided the accelerating Auberlen.

Hand gave chase and with a slick double pass in turn six regained the lead at the 40 minute mark. A second battle ensued with Patrick Long’s Porsche and Hand lost the lead only to regain it a second time as Long slid into the wall.

He built up a seven second lead before pitting just past the hour mark. Müller took over and held the lead for the final hour of the race and the duo’s second consecutive GT win.

Dirk Werner finished the race in the No. 55 M3 GT seventh in class, two laps in arrears.

“This was a great win by Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller in the No. 56 car today and a great position to be in going into the Le Mans break,” said Dr. Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director. “We are also confident that we had the possibility for a 1-2 victory today. Both cars are clearly very reliable, we have a strong team and strong drivers. With the result today, we are well positioned in both the ALMS and ILMC championships"

Bobby Rahal, Team principal, added, “This was a big win for us as we didn’t want to come to Long Beach and lose the advantage we fought so hard for in Sebring. Back-to-back wins are tough to come by in any series, but especially here in the GT class of ALMS, and this is a big victory for our team.”

Following the traditional American Le Mans Series hiatus for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, BMW Team RLL will begin its defense the GT class lead at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Conn., on July 9.

Video: Joey Hand and Dirk Müller, No. 56 M3 GT (win)

Our photos from the race

[antzcrashing]

exciting race. congrats to BMW.

[Shorestyle031]

Great race to watch, here is the link to the full race http://espn.go.com/espn3/index# go to the replay tab and you can watch the whole race

[Poppin Fresh]

They should have made a 3rd car to complete the podium domination! Great job BMW and congratulations!

[Merciphil]

Originally Posted by Shorestyle031

Great race to watch, here is the link to the full race http://espn.go.com/espn3/index# go to the replay tab and you can watch the whole race

great find thanks!

[vladberca]

Thx for sharing! Great result!

[RC3]

what a race. congrats BMW

[Diver]

Great photo coverage.

[Silverstone]

Congrats BMW !!!!

[GregTheStig]

It was an amazing race. I still feel terrible for Auberlen. When he got his lap back from the Vette he was flying!. If it wasn't for that spin I think it would've been a 1-2 for BMW. Joey Hand deserves a raise. Awesome job to the RLL guys!

[positiveions]

bravo boys. Hard work does pay off
What a beautiful day for a good race.

[JoeyBananaz18]

great job boys. i have a feeling the E92 is going to recalled as one of the greatest race cars of all time.....

[GOLFFRR]

awesome news and awesome pics

[the///Mthree]

Jason I must express my disappointment with you. It would have been common courtesy to write "SPOILER long beach alms results" or something along those lines. While I am smart enough not to open this section I am not smart enough to not scroll down the main page of the forum with my wondering eyes that catch the words " BMW Team RLL WINS etc"

Next time if you could please refrain from doing this it would be greatly appreciated considering not all of us have access to ESPN3's covarage and have to wait until the day after to see the race on ESPN2.

[e92LuNaTiC]

Yeaaa!! Was rooting for them trackside with other BMW fans!! Amazing!!

[VinnieAces]

sucks that the next race isnt until july

[muskamatt]

my parents went to this. My Dad is a devout corvette fan, he paid his respects to the m3

[///mmmKevin]

Originally Posted by the///Mthree

Jason I must express my disappointment with you. It would have been common courtesy to write "SPOILER long beach alms results" or something along those lines. While I am smart enough not to open this section I am not smart enough to not scroll down the main page of the forum with my wondering eyes that catch the words " BMW Team RLL WINS etc"

Next time if you could please refrain from doing this it would be greatly appreciated considering not all of us have access to ESPN3's covarage and have to wait until the day after to see the race on ESPN2.

Awe now remove your tampon and try re-reading what you just bitched about.

[Shorestyle031]

Originally Posted by ///mmmKevin

Awe now remove your tampon and try re-reading what you just bitched about.

+1

[CT310]

Congrats BMW, but it wasn't very nice to send the Flying Lizard team into the wall just when they passed you

[phrozen06]

I need to go to long beach next year.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by CT310

Congrats BMW, but it wasn't very nice to send the Flying Lizard team into the wall just when they passed you

Nor was it nice of the vette team to take Auberlen out at the beginning of the race.