Dunlop helps BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team gain first victory

Aug. 20, 2009

Dunlop tires on the BMW M3 racing cars of the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team were considered instrumental in the team’s first victory of the 2009 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season, at the Road America race course in Elkhart Lake, WI.
In the Aug. 16 race, the No. 90 M3 of BMW Rahal Letterman Racing took the checkered flag in the GT2 class, with drivers Joey Hand and Bill Auberlen sharing duties.  Securing the dominance of the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team at the race, the team’s other car, the No. 92 M3, driven by Tommy Milner and Dirk Mueller, took second place.
Heading into the race, the Dunlop-equipped cars delivered an all-BMW M3 front row in qualifying, providing a preview of what was to come in the race.
In post-race remarks, Auberlen commented, “This is what this team has earned. Everyone has worked so hard.  Thanks to BMW, RLR and Dunlop.  Dunlop, our tire partner, has been working so hard.  We were fast at Mid-Ohio (the previous race in the series), and it didn’t go our way.”
Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport manager, said, “We were fast from the beginning of the weekend and brought home the first victory for the program.  We had incredible support from all of our partners and especially Dunlop, who continue to deliver for us. We have now arrived at a level where we can fight for top honors and that’s what the program was designed to do.”
In the first seven races of the season, the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, with its Dunlop racing tires, grabbed multiple podium finishes in the GT2 class.  The victory at Road America marked BMW’s first win in ALMS racing since 2001.
According to Dunlop brand general manager Razvan Bosomoiu, “The technology developed in racing keeps us technically sharp.  It develops a racing spirit throughout our organization.  Through it, we realize the thrill of victory when our tires win races.”
The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team selected Dunlop as its official race tire supplier for the 2009 ALMS season.  The highly anticipated return of BMW to professional production car racing coincides with the ALMS’ 10th season of world-class sports car racing.
The next race of the 10-event season, the Grand Prix of Mosport, will take place on Aug. 30 at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario.
Dunlop is a global tire brand with an excellent reputation among performance car enthusiasts, well-known for its prestigious original-equipment fitments and sports car racing heritage.  For more information on Dunlop’s tires, go to http://www.dunloptires.com.