ALMS: BMW Team PTG Wins at Sonoma
26 July 1999
BMW Team PTG notes: race, July 25 American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Sonoma race four, American Le Mans Series BMW Team PTG driver Hans Stuck made a last-lap pass to win the GT class in Sunday's Grand Prix of Sonoma. He and co-driver Boris Said started third in the #9 M3. Johannes van Overbeek and Darren Law finished third in the #10 M3, despite an extra pitstop to replace a tire punctured by contact with another car. The #6 car of Mark Simo and Brian Cunningham retired early with engine problems and the #7 car of Christian Menzel and Cunningham was out on the third lap with a broken half-shaft. Hans Stuck, driver, #9 BMW M3 "I'm happy to get my second win with the PTG team, especially with Boris. He did a fantastic first stint in the race, so he gave me the basement for the win. He did a good job in the first and I did a good job to pass Wagner one lap from the end. It was not difficult, but it was the kind of thing to do because I only had one chance." Boris Said, driver, #9 BMW M3 "It was just a great day! The Porsche was faster in qualifying, but we knew we had a good, consistent race car. I stuck to our game plan, just ran and stayed out trouble and kept the car in good shape. The whole team ran a really good race and the Yokohama tires lasted great. And what can you say about Hans? The BMW M3 is the ultimate driving machine, but Hans is the ultimate driver. He got the win for us." Darren Law, driver, #10 BMW M3 "Everything went so good. The team prepped the car well and it was good for most of the run. It got a little slippery at the end, but I just drove hard and hung in there. I couldn't ask for anything better! I was driving hard, I was really working the car. I had Boris in sight and kept one of the Porsches behind me. We built up enough lead in the beginning, so Johannes ran it good in the end and we had it easy at the finish." Johannes van Overbeek, driver, #10 BMW M3 "I really have to thank Darren. His stint was all the work and my stint was during the yellows. Except for the flat tire, it was a wonderful day. The Yokohama/Flextronics/ Level One BMW was perfect! I can't wait for Portland." Tom Milner, owner, BMW Team PTG "It feels good, but don't forget we got lucky. The Porsche number 23 clearly had us, but the brilliance of the 'two old men' gave us the victory. It's especially nice because it's the first time against the new Porsche and to beat them is good for the team." ###