BMW RLL M3 GT Kicks off 2011 ALMS Season with 1-2 Win at Sebring!

midlifecrisis · 03-20-2011, 08:57 AM

Thanks to the BMW CCA Florida Sun Coast Chapter for hosting the corral! I really appreciated the chance to get some shade, water, and snacks and to watch on the big screen TV.

Sick Speed · 03-20-2011, 10:02 AM

This team is going to win the driver's championship this season. Manufacturer's for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Attachment 498815The very first race of the 2011 American Le Mans Series racing season just concluded at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the BMW team picked up right where it left off last season when it won the Manufacturer's Championship - this time with a 1st and 2nd place finish at Sebring!

The #56 BMW M3 placed 1st and the #55 M3 placed 2nd. #56 was driven by Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB), while #55 was piloted by Dirk Werner (DE), Bill Auberlen (US) and Augusto Farfus (BR). The two M3 GT cars dominated for most of the race, alternating from the 1st to the 3rd positions for the majority of the 12 hour race. Their teammate from last year, Tommy Milner, finished in 3rd at the seat of a Corvette C6.

Congrats to the BMW RLL team and all their drivers! The team looks well prepared to defend its Manufacter's Championship and will hopefully contend for the driver's championship as well.

Official release and announcement from BMW to come...

F32Fleet · 03-20-2011, 10:21 AM

Nice Job Guys!

TK-421 · 03-20-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

The team looks well prepared to defend its Manufacter's Championship and will hopefully contend for the driver's championship as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sick Speed

This team is going to win the driver's championship this season. Manufacturer's for sure.

I saw a graphic before the race that said that for the International Le Mans Cup, there is a Manufacturer's Championship and a Team Championship but they specifically mentioned that there's no Driver's Title. I think they're a safe bet to win it all, though - no doubt about that. Very strong cars with their upgrades.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbeerxx

Ferarri 458???

Them not finishing the race isn't really a big surprise, although how far they made it was truly impressive when you consider that Risi only got their hands on the car a week ago after it being held up in customs for much longer than it should've been.

Diver · 03-20-2011, 11:12 AM

Nice job!

calintexas · 03-20-2011, 11:48 AM

There's a 1.5 hour highlights show on ABC right now.

TK-421 · 03-20-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calintexas

There's a 1.5 hour highlights show on ABC right now.

I'm checking that out now. Also, like someone said earlier, you can watch the race in it's entirety on Xbox Live. It's separated into 2 parts and the quality is pretty damn good.

tlav17 · 03-20-2011, 12:22 PM

awesome!! this is going to be an exciting season. can't wait to see a race this summer

cmk227 · 03-20-2011, 01:24 PM

Awesome. Keep up the good work.

3XTR3M3 · 03-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Awesome 1-2, great start to the season. I didn't know Tommy was driving for Chevy this year.

Harold Wood · 03-20-2011, 02:39 PM

Well done the lads! especially Andy Priaulx, I was lucky enough to be driven around Brands Hatch race circuit last summer with Andy it was amazing

brauheist2007 · 03-20-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

Them not finishing the race isn't really a big surprise, although how far they made it was truly impressive when you consider that Risi only got their hands on the car a week ago after it being held up in customs for much longer than it should've been.

Yea to be honest had they not had the battery or electrical or whatever it was issues, they probably would've been on the podium for GT.

Joey Hand was tearin' it up! Dude had consistently fast lap times... He hit low 2:01's a couple times. I can't remember him giving up position during any of his stints...

scott@bmwhn · 03-21-2011, 09:57 AM

great job BMW and RLL!

Looper · 03-21-2011, 11:05 AM

I figured they had a couple of fast rides just by the way they tested away from the main groups this winter. Congrats to RLL and the whole team, nice job and it was a pleasure watching you kick Ferrari ass all race long, well almost all race.

TK-421 · 03-21-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Looper

I figured they had a couple of fast rides just by the way they tested away from the main groups this winter. Congrats to RLL and the whole team, nice job and it was a pleasure watching you kick Ferrari ass all race long, well almost all race.

lol

OC ///M · 03-21-2011, 06:43 PM

What was this rule change about that prompted the number switch from 90 & 92 to 55 & 56 this year? (Excuse my ignorance I've been stuck on a project out of town.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3_WC

+1 for BMW

-1 for having to watching it on the internet (espn3)

^

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbeerxx

You can get it on your xbox if you have a Live Gold account. As long as you have enough bandwidth it comes through in pretty good looking HD (it's also archived). I watched all 12 hours yesterday on the 'ole boob tube....

^ I have a live account how/where do I find this? PLEASE HELP!

TK-421 · 03-21-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC ///M

What was this rule change about that prompted the number switch from 90 & 92 to 55 & 56 this year? (Excuse my ignorance I've been stuck on a project out of town.)

^

^ I have a live account how/where do I find this? PLEASE HELP!

Go to the homescreen --> video marketplace --> ESPN. Then look around and you'll find it

OC ///M · 03-21-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

Go to the homescreen --> video marketplace --> ESPN. Then look around and you'll find it

Found it. Thank you TK. I've got it playing now!

About the number change on the cars, was this due to a rule, because they actually switched to a new chassis this year?
I loved how our numbers were 90 & 92 before...

(As mentioned during the qualifying round, these cars are different from the previous, having a new chassis they developed with a modified rear suspension)

CONGRATULATIONS! to fellow forum member KINGLEH who took the pole in the qualifying and finished 8th in GTC!

duk · 03-22-2011, 12:23 AM

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2011/03/20...ng/#more-10932

Great write up with vids!

1sikbmr · 03-22-2011, 12:30 AM

Silver E90 · 03-22-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC ///M

Found it. Thank you TK. I've got it playing now!

About the number change on the cars, was this due to a rule, because they actually switched to a new chassis this year?
I loved how our numbers were 90 & 92 before...

(As mentioned during the qualifying round, these cars are different from the previous, having a new chassis they developed with a modified rear suspension)

CONGRATULATIONS! to fellow forum member KINGLEH who took the pole in the qualifying and finished 8th in GTC!

I believe the reason for the number changes is because BMW Motorsport is running in the ILMC(International Le Mans Cup) in 2011. RLL will run for BMW in the North American races (Sebring and Road Atlanta) and Team Schnitzer will run in Europe. So for BMW to be able to do this they need to have the same car numbers and team name. Hope that helps!

immiketoo · 03-22-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbeerxx

You can get it on your xbox if you have a Live Gold account. As long as you have enough bandwidth it comes through in pretty good looking HD (it's also archived). I watched all 12 hours yesterday on the 'ole boob tube....

Ferarri 458???

///M-POWER!!!!!!

Where do you go within xbox to get it? I missed it and I really want to watch it!

03-20-2011, 08:57 AM	#23
midlifecrisis Major 804 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 35d, 2019 230i X Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Thanks to the BMW CCA Florida Sun Coast Chapter for hosting the corral! I really appreciated the chance to get some shade, water, and snacks and to watch on the big screen TV. __________________ 2017 X5 35d (Performance Center delivery March 2017) 2019 230i X-drive 2022 M3 base 2000 328i sedan (UUC suspension - still the favorite), 2006 M3 slick top - Alpine White/Cinnamon SOLD! 2008 E90 M3 SOLD! 1991 325iX (both great), 2019 Miata RF - various others not as memorable but gone.
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03-20-2011, 10:21 AM	#25
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3566 Rep 10,346 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Nice Job Guys!
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03-20-2011, 11:12 AM	#27
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Nice job! __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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03-20-2011, 11:48 AM	#28
calintexas Lieutenant Colonel 151 Rep 1,599 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Texas iTrader: (1)	Rebroadcast on ABC Now (11:30AM-!:00PM CDT)! There's a 1.5 hour highlights show on ABC right now. __________________
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03-20-2011, 12:22 PM	#30
tlav17 Lieutenant 25 Rep 409 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Jersey iTrader: (0)	awesome!! this is going to be an exciting season. can't wait to see a race this summer __________________ 2015 F15 X5 Past: '08 Alpine White M3, '07 Titanium Silver Z4 M Coupe, '04 Imola Red M3 Coupe
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03-20-2011, 01:24 PM	#31
cmk227 Major 120 Rep 1,379 Posts Drives: Goal: Another ///M Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Garland, TX & Northern England iTrader: (2)	Awesome. Keep up the good work. __________________ 14 Lexus GX460 & 14 Lexus ES300H 14 BMW 528d Touring Estate - UK Previous M's: 11 BMW M3 JZB ZCP 6MT, 02 BMW M3 Conv 6MT & 02 BMW M3 Coupe 6MT
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03-20-2011, 02:27 PM	#32
3XTR3M3 Lieutenant Colonel 99 Rep 1,575 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	Awesome 1-2, great start to the season. I didn't know Tommy was driving for Chevy this year. __________________
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03-20-2011, 02:39 PM	#33
Harold Wood Chopperphoto 828 Rep 790 Posts Drives: Loadsabimmers Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Well done the lads Well done the lads! especially Andy Priaulx, I was lucky enough to be driven around Brands Hatch race circuit last summer with Andy it was amazing
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03-21-2011, 09:57 AM	#35
scott@bmwhn Major 132 Rep 1,245 Posts Drives: Msport X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	great job BMW and RLL! __________________ 03' 525iT stick, 22' 530i Previous: 20' X3 M40i, 19' 740i Msport, 17' 430i GC, 15' Msport X3 28i, 15' Sportline X1 28i, 13' Msport 328i, 09' Msport 335i, 07' Msport 335i
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03-21-2011, 11:05 AM	#36
Looper BEAST 2 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fabulous Tampa Florida iTrader: (0)	I figured they had a couple of fast rides just by the way they tested away from the main groups this winter. Congrats to RLL and the whole team, nice job and it was a pleasure watching you kick Ferrari ass all race long, well almost all race.
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03-22-2011, 12:23 AM	#41
duk ///M 158 Rep 3,195 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR 6MT E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Both M3s win Sebring! First race of ALMS this season! http://www.bimmerfile.com/2011/03/20...ng/#more-10932 Great write up with vids! __________________ 2011.5 AW/FR E92 M3 6MT
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03-22-2011, 12:30 AM	#42
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	__________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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