WTCC: Three BMW drivers qualify for top-ten grid positions in Imola. |
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kbannon
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Posted: 20-September-2008 at 21:39 |
Three BMW drivers qualify for top-ten grid positions in Imola.20-09-2008 Press Release Imola, 20th September 2008. In qualifying for the 17th round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, BMW Team Germany’s Jörg Müller (DE) was the quickest driver in the ranks of the BMW national teams. He set a personal best time of 1:55,226 minutes at Imola’s “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari”, claiming eighth on the grid for the first of the two sprint races held on Sunday. SEAT’s Rickard Rydell (SE) was 0.465 seconds quicker and claimed pole position at the 4.909-kilometre circuit. Müller’s team-mate, Augusto Farfus (BR), and BMW Team UK’s Andy Priaulx (GB) share the fifth row of the grid after qualifying ninth and tenth respectively. Local hero Alessandro Zanardi (IT) had to make do with 12th. His fellow BMW Team Italy-Spain driver, Félix Porteiro (ES), finished 15th on the timesheets. “The free practice sessions gave us an idea of what to expect from the front-wheel driven cars here in Imola,” said Müller following the 30-minute session. “This is a circuit where power and torque are essential, and the SEAT diesels especially have plenty of that. However, we should look stronger over the race distance. But the crucial question is, will we have a chance to overtake. It will certainly be tough.” In what was the first qualifying session of any FIA World Championship following the extensive renovations of the classic circuit, many drivers were struggling with the relatively slippery conditions. “Today it was difficult for all of us to find a perfect lap due to the low grip level,” commented Farfus. “In addition, handicap weight has a major impact at this track. I carry 68 kilograms this weekend – so I should be happy with this result. Who knows what might happen in the second race tomorrow, considering the reversed grid.” During most of the session, Priaulx had problems with the radio, so was not able to keep in close contact with Team Principal Bart Mampaey (BE). However, the triple World Champion identified other reasons for not qualifying further up the grid. He said: “I knew fairly early on it didn’t look like it was going to be a BMW weekend. There are too many kerbs for our car and you just cannot get on the power. However, at least I’m not too far away from P8.” Race one at the “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari” will start on Sunday at 12:20hrs (11:20hrs BST), the second race will get underway at 15:35hrs (15:35hrs BST). The two rounds will be televised by Eurosport. The rounds will also be streamed live on the internet, at www.bmw-motorsport.com. |
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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BMW Team Germany’s Jörg Müller claims podium finish in Imola.21-09-2008 Press Release
Imola,
21st September 2008. Jörg Müller (DE) finished second in the 18th round
of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The BMW Team Germany driver
crossed the finish line in Imola (IT) behind Honda’s James Thompson
(GB) and relegated Robert Huff (Chevrolet, GB) to third. BMW Team UK’s
Andy Priaulx (GB) scored two points by coming seventh, while Müller’s
team-mate, Augusto Farfus (BR), took the chequered flag in eighth. In
the first race of the day, Farfus and Müller were the only BMW drivers
to collect points by finishing seventh and eighth, with SEAT’s Yvan
Muller (FR) securing victory. |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
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