Another podium for BMW V12 LMR

Round 11, American Le Mans Series, Las Vegas, Nevada (USA)

Munich/Las Vegas. No luck in gamblers' paradise: the BMW V12 LMR was on course
to record the third victory in the 2000 American Le Mans Series at the
penultimate round in Las Vegas before an accident dropped JJ Lehto (FIN) and
Jörg Müller (D) to 26th position. Team-mates Bill Auberlen (US) and Jean-Marc
Gounon (F) finished third behind the two Audi of Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro and
Rinaldo Capello/Allan McNish who has provisionally claimed the championship for
drivers.

Lehto tried to take advantage of a slow start by the two Audis to forge into
second position behind the Panoz of Jan Magnussen, but was squeezed onto the
grass at the first corner. He resumed in third position and defended for much
of his stint from the Audi of Biela. Leader Magnussen in the Panoz received a
stop-and-go penalty after a collision with McNish, dropping behind Lehto, now
in second. Magnussen fought back to second, and the three leaders pitted. Slick
pit work by the BMW squad ensured Müller exited the pits ahead of Brabham in
the Panoz, and the German out-accelerated Capello's Audi as the three cars left
the pits.

Müller was caught in traffic at the re-start and collided with the Panoz of
Hiroki Katoh, damaging the BMW heavily. Auberlen/Gounon were unfortunate with
their second pitstop, emerging from the pits just as a full-course yellow was
thrown. The pair had enjoyed a trouble-free race on their way to the final
podium position.
In the GT class BMW Team PTG also scored a podium finish. Hans-Joachim Stuck
and Boris Said were third in their BMW M3.

BMW Motorsport team manager Charly Lamm: "We are happy that Bill and Jean-Marc
made it to the podium. Also our BMW #42 was very strong, JJ was fighting in the
leading group. Jörg was involved in an accident and we had to replace the right
rear suspension, the radiator, the right side ducting and the underwing in the
front and rear which put our car out of contention. Congratulations to Audi and
Allan McNish for their manufacturers' and drivers' championships. I was glad
that we could give them a hard fight all season."

JJ Lehto #42: "It was nice to drive because we were fighting all the time and
we were able to keep up with the Panoz and the Audi. I think the fight was very
fair and clean, and we could have won the race as well as them. Jörg did a
great job at the re-start, but it only lasted for half a lap. It is a shame."

Jörg Müller #42: "I was watching Capello behind me and it was my chance to put
a lap on the Audi. I had to take it. I thought that the GT3 cars would get out
of the way but they didn't so we were on the gas and the brakes all the time.
It was really difficult and then I hit the Panoz and damaged my car."

Bill Auberlen #43: "Our race was OK. It is always a great feeling to get in a
car that is so well prepared by such a great team. I am really pleased to have
finished on the podium. I think that we deserved it."

Result after 2 hours, 45 minutes, 5.685 seconds:
1. Biela/Pirro, Audi, 129 laps
2. McNish/Capello, Audi, -44.947 sec
3. Auberlen/Gounon, BMW, -1 lap
4. Schiattarella/de Radiguès, Lola, -4 laps
5. Smith/Johansson, Reynard, -4 laps
6. Magnussen/Brabham, Panoz, -6 laps