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The BMW V12 LMR will not be starting in Mosport Park

27 June 1999

Munich/Mosport. BMW Motorsport has decided not to line up the two BMW V12
LMR on the starting grid for the race in Mosport Park in Canada, because in
our point of view, the safety standards have not been sufficiently
modernized for the fast open-top prototype BMW V12 LMR. In Mosport the
third round of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) will be taking place this
Sunday, 27 June. 

Due to responsibility for the BMW prototype drivers and with regards to the
high priority which safety in Motorsport has for BMW, there was no other
decision possible, after practicing and discussing the matter intensively.
BMW regrets the necessity to withdraw because it foregoes possible
championship points.

The engagement of the American BMW Team PTG of Tom Milner stays unchanged
by this decision. The closed BMW M3 participate in the   slower GT class,
versus the open-top prototype BMW V12 LMR, which participate in the
extremely fast LMP class.

BMW had won the opening ALMS race, the 12-Hour Race in Sebring/Florida, and
just two weeks ago claimed victory in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans. JJ
Lehto (FIN)/Jörg Müller (D) and Bill Auberlen (USA)/Joachim Winkelhock (D)
comprise the drivers' teams that were to race. 

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