Auberlen on Touring WC pole in BMW

BMW of North America, LLC
World Challenge Update
Notes and Quotes
SPEED Touring World Challenge Round 1
Qualifying
Sebring International Raceway
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Race Date: Friday, March 14, 2003


BMW LEADS SPEED WORLD CHALLENGE TOURING FIELD AT SEBRING; AUBERLEN ON POLE
WITH NEW TRACK RECORD

With the BMW 3 Series representing some 40 percent of the 38 SCCA SPEED
World Challenge Series Touring car field, the 15 BMW drivers finished
today's qualifying session strongly with two cars in the top 10 and eight in
the top 20. Setting a new track record of 2:26.701 around the 3.7-mile
Sebring International Raceway, BMW ace Bill Auberlen drove his No. 93 Turner
Motorsports BMW 325i to his second career series' pole position. Robert
Stretch, of Dallas, drove to a career-best fourth starting spot in his No.
98 Wheels America BMW 325Ci with a time of 2:28.195. The 50-minute race
begins at 1:15 p.m. tomorrow and is scheduled to air on Speed Channel,
Saturday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

BILL AUBERLEN, NO. 93 TURNER MOTORSPORT BMW 325i:
"We tested and tested and tested before we came here and I came up with a
set-up that I like so much that was miles away from what we had done before;
we have not touched the car since we have been here. It is flawless."

ROBERT STRETCH, NO. 98 WHEELS AMERICA BMW 325Ci:
"That's the first time we have qualified this high in the field. We have a
new engine package this year that is working out really well and are excited
to get the season off to a good start. This is last year's car, but we have
another one in the works for Mosport that will be even better than this
one."