ALMS: BMW M3s ready to race
10 October 1999
BMW Team PTG notes: final qualifying, Oct. 9 VISA Sports Car Championships, Laguna Seca Raceway race seven, American Le Mans Series Hot track conditions meant slower qualifying times for BMW Team PTG on Saturday, so the three-car team will start Sunday's race based on Friday qualifying times. Peter Cunningham, co-driving the #10 BMW M3 with Johannes van Overbeek, will start fourth on the GT grid. Hans Stuck, paired with Boris Said, will start sixth in the #6 M3. Mark Simo, driving the #7 M3 with Brian Cunningham, qualified ninth in class. Peter Cunningham, driver, #10 BMW M3 "I think the track was a little hotter today. Our balance went away just a scoash and I just couldn't quite get [the speed] in the short amount of time that we had. But I think we've fixed our rear-brake problem. We were a little concerned with our rear bias, but that seems good now. In any case, we didn't move up or down in our qualifying position, so we know what we have to do for tomorrow." Hans Stuck, driver, #6 BMW M3 "The problem is that I missed my yesterday's time by a very marginal one-hundredths or so. That means I have to start on the soft tires tomorrow, which makes me not so happy. But I have no other choice. [on three previous wins at Laguna Seca] That doesn't count anymore, what counts is tomorrow. It is no advantage because we are all professional drivers. In 10 laps, you know where you have to be." Mark Simo, driver, #7 BMW M3 "I just didn't find what I thought would be there today. But we'll keep working on it and we'll find it for the race. [on missing morning practice due to a gear lube leak] "It probably would have helped me to have the practice session because I'm still trying to adjust my driving style to this track. The extra laps would have been a benefit." Chris Miller, Yokohama motorsports manager "We've got the tire grip about as good as we think it can be. We're happy with that and we're happy with the prospects for the race with the durability and consistency of our tires. Tomorrow, we'll use our secret, special compound that everyone wishes they had. <g> We'll run with the A-12 and the new construction, which is a pretty conservative compound because we're looking for consistency for the whole stint." double duty Peter Cunningham owns RealTime Racing, which took the top three spots in Saturday's final World Challenge Touring Car race. "This morning I knew that the race was imminent right after we were done practicing, but when I'm in the BMW M3, I'm not thinking about anything else but trying to make that car go fast. When you're behind the wheel of a race car, that's all you're thinking about," he said. ###