---

Touring: Three BMW V12 LMRs in the Race at Le Mans

29 April 1999

Munich-- BMW wants to compete in the legendary 24-Hours of Le Mans in 1999 with the BMW V12 LMR. The new sports car has completed a comprehensive test program, even winning the traditional 12-Hour Race in Sebring, Florida, in March. However, before the car can start in Le Mans on June 12th, it has to get through prequalifying on May 2nd.

Forty-eight starters are permitted to the race by the organizer, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (A.C.O.), with 62 cars, including three BMW V12 LMR, having been invited to contend the prequalifying round on May 2nd.

BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger commented on the dress rehearsal in Le Mans: "Prequalifying gives the first indications of where we really stand. We have already come up against several competitors, but on May2nd, the field will be complete.. We will also be able to see for the first time, how well our car meets the demands in Le Mans. There are no possibilities to test there and the special track conditions cannot be simulated."

The A.C.O. splits the candidates into two groups on the evening before prequalifying. One group practices on Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the second group training from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Team BMW Motorsport is directed on the track by Charly Lamm. The pilots, Pierluigi Martini (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Jorg Muller (Germany) have been entered for prequalifying for the three BMW V12 LMR with the starting numbers 15 to 17. In addition, three-time Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas (France), Joachim Winkelhock (Germany) and JJ Lehto (Finland) will take the opportunity to experience the BMW V12 LMR in Le Mans. Lehto won the endurance classic in 1995, with Kristensen winning it in 1997.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.