24-Hour-Race Nürburgring - Qualifying

Team BMW Motorsport has claimed good starting positions for the Nürburgring 24
Hour Race following the two qualifying sessions to determine the grid. Dirk
Müller (GER), Jörg Müller (GER) and Hans-Joachim Stuck (GER) in the BMW M3 GTR
carrying number 1 set the third fastest time round the Nordschleife with
8:45.323. Car number 2 driven by Pedro Lamy (POR), Duncan Huisman (NLD), Boris
Said (USA) and Andy Priaulx (GBR) will start the long distance classic from
fourth position.

Stuck, who set the best time for car number 1, said: "All the systems are
running perfectly. We are very happy with the performance of our car." While
part of the first practice session in the morning was held in wet conditions,
the drivers found dry conditions during the four hour practice session held in
the evening on the 25.278 kilometre circuit. Team BMW Motorsport was able to
improve on the lap times set in the morning session, during the evening session
which was held partly in the dark.

However, the crew from Schnitzer Motorsport and BMW have a busy night ahead of
them. Nearly 90 minutes before the end of the final session, Lamy, at the wheel
of the BMW M3 GTR (car number 2), was involved in a collision while overtaking
a slower competitor. The left rear of the M3 GTR was hit and the car spun off.
This meant the session was over for Lamy.

Charly Lamm, Team BMW Motorsport Team Manager, said: "We are coming out of the
two Friday sessions with mixed emotions. The drivers are very happy with the
cars, which is reflected in the starting positions. Unfortunately we cannot
predict at this time whether the BMW M3 GTR number 2 will be able to start the
race. The damage the car suffered during the accident will mean a long night
for the mechanics."

The Nürburgring 24 Hour Race will start on Saturday at 15.00 hours. With 17
wins to date BMW is the most successful marque in the Eifel region.

Results: 1. J. Alzen/U. Alzen/K. Ludwig/P. Dumbreck (Porsche 996 Turbo)
8:30.846, 2. L. Luhr/T. Bernhard/E. Collard/M. Tiemann (Porsche 911 GT3-MR)
8:37.193, 3. D. Müller/J. Müller/H.-J. Stuck/P. Lamy (BMW M3 GTR) 8:45.323, 4.
P. Lamy/B. Said/D. Huisman/ A. Priaulx (BMW M3 GTR) 8:45.913, 5. P. Zakowski/R.
Lechner/S. Bert (Dodge Viper GTS-R) 8:49.922, M. Basseng/M. Lieb/M.
Rockenfeller (Porsche GT3 RSR) 8:53.871, H. Tilke/D. Adorf/P. Simon (V8-Star
Jaguar) 8:58.390, 8. R. Asch/D. Schoysman/T. Kinoshita/T. Tanaka (Nissan
Skyline GT-R) 9:05.189, 9. H.-P. Huppert-Nieder/W. Mohr/M. Großmann/A. Gülden
(Dodge Viper GTS-R) 9:06.333, 10. P. Mamerow/C. Mamerow/W. Kaufmann (Porsche
996 GT3 RS) 9:14.683