Contential Tire Challenge - Kinetic BMW Seeking Top 10 Result Again

Buford, May 26, 2011: After finishing sixth at Virginia International Raceway, the best finish of the season for the Kinetic Motorsports #33 BMW M3 E92, drivers Jade Buford and Bryan Sellers are eager to get back to racing at a track they think will be good for their car. The pair will take on the Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park this coming weekend, with the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. The usually combined race is split into two races by class, with Buford and Sellers competing in the Grand Sport (GS) class at 3:30pm ET. After the #33 ran within the Top 5 for most of the race at VIR, the Kinetic team is looking forward to good results for their BMW at Lime Rock Park.

“Continued work on the BMW is beginning to pay dividends – the input from the drivers has been valuable and Jade spent a day this week in the shop refining some of the ergonomics inside the car and agreeing on a set-up approach for the event,” said Russell Smith, team owner of Kinetic Motorsports. “This is valuable as we get to make plans in a less hectic environment and can take the time to think through strategy plays. I think that as we have seen, both Jade and Bryan have got become progressively more comfortable with the package and as we incorporate the changes they would like to see into the car, progress with both the car and Kinetic has been improving, we are confident that the next two races will allow us to better showcase the driver’s abilities and show the potential in the car.”

“The Bimmers have always faired well at Lime Rock,” continued Smith, who was delighted with the progress made in the BMW at VIR. “The car is suited to the circuit and they should do well. There will apparently be some additional restrictor penalties placed on all the BMW’s to assist in performance leveling the BMW and Mustangs so that the Cayman and Camaro can be brought more in line. We have to see what these changes will bring to the performance. My personal view is that we will not see the full effect of these changes until we get to Watkins Glen when the longer straights will allow the cars to stretch their legs and see the full effect of the changes.”

“Lime Rock will be just pretty much the same as the rest of the season,” said Jade Buford, who experienced a great qualifying stint in the car at VIR. “I’ll start the race, but we’re looking at me staying in the car a little longer at this race. We’re not 100 percent on anything but I’m definitely going to be in the car for a bit longer. I just want to get more time in the car and really build my experience because this will be the first time I’ve ever really had a good car at Lime Rock, so I’m curious to see how everything goes. I think the car will do well, pretty close to what we want it to be. We’ve always been able to roll with the speed in the corners and it’s more of a momentum track and not just a horsepower track so we should be alright.”

“Lime Rock is a very challenging race,” said Bryan Sellers, who is no stranger to racing in traffic at Lime Rock. “The circuit is tricky and has some very special characteristics. However, the hardest part about Lime Rock is always managing the traffic. Even with 24 cars, the track fills up very quickly! The BMW has historically been good at Lime Rock, but it will be interesting to see how things play out this year. The Mustangs have been very strong at all the races and the Camaros have a ton of torque, which will be a positive for them. We will have our work cut out for us.”

The Grand Sport (GS) Class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will race at 3:30pm ET on Saturday, May 28 at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. Television broadcast times have not yet been announced.