Long Beach next for BMW Z4 GTE debut season.

Munich (DE), 17th April 2013. BMW Team RLL travels to Long Beach, California (US) on April 20th for the second round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series season and the next act in the debut season of the BMW Z4 GTE.

The new cars had an excellent first race at the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring (US) in March. Running competitive lap times at the sharp end of the GT field for the first two-thirds of the race, the team ultimately finished fourth and seventh after mechanical problems hindered any chance of challenging for the podium. 

With some five weeks to integrate the findings from Sebring, the team led by Bobby Rahal (US) is confident the new cars are ready for Long Beach – a race the team has always finished with at least one car on the podium. 

In 2009, the debut year of the BMW M3 GT, Dirk Müller (DE) and Tommy Milner (US) finished third in the No. 92 car. In 2010, Bill Auberlen (US) and Milner drove the No. 92 BMW M3 GT to third. 2011 saw Joey Hand (US) and Dirk Müller win the race from pole on the way to the drivers’ title. Last year Hand and Müller finished second in the No. 56 car. 

Bobby Rahal (Team Principal of BMW Team RLL):

“We have had very competitive cars here over the last four years; we have been on the podium every year and won in 2011. While I think we are at a top-speed disadvantage currently with the BMW Z4 GTE, the car has very good handling and on a street circuit that’s probably the most critical part. I suspect we can be competitive again this year even though the car is new. Certainly we are optimistic, although, as we saw at Sebring, the competition is extremely tight and there are more players now that actually have a chance of winning the race.” 

Bill Auberlen (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“Long Beach is an amazing jewel on the ALMS calendar.  I have never won my home race and enough is enough. I have been all over the podium, but a victory has been very hard to come by. I’ve driven more than a few BMWs in my career and I know the new BMW Z4 GTE has all the right moves to reach that top step.” 

Maxime Martin (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 55):

“I'm really excited about discovering the Long Beach track. A street circuit is always difficult to learn, but I'm looking forward to it! Bill is the perfect team mate for this race because of his experience at his home race. I'm sure I will be up to speed quickly.” 

Dirk Müller (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“After a really successful debut with our new BMW Z4 GTE I am looking forward for the next highlight at Long Beach. The track suits my driving style and I love the street circuits. The team has been working hard following Sebring and I am excited to bring momentum from the VLN win at the Nürburgring this past weekend.” 

Joey Hand (BMW Z4 GTE – car number 56):

“A key to success at Long Beach is to unload fast. We’ve been able to do that most every year and I don’t see any reason that we won’t do it again this year. With a lower centre of gravity and a wider stance than our previous BMW M3 GTs, the new BMW Z4 GTE should be more agile and easier to place in the confines of the Long Beach circuit.”