Bill Cobb
Press Officer
215-295-3115 / 215 431-7223 cellular / wrcobb@attglobal.net

BMW Team PTG Sweeps All Rolex GT Championships in California
Milner and Collins score 10th M3 Victory of Season; Said and Hand Second

Fontana, Calif. (Oct. 31, 2004) – Adding an exclamation point to the story of a remarkable 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series season, BMW Team PTG scored their 10th GT class victory, and sixth 1-2 BMW M3 finish, of the season in today’s Lexus Grand American 400. The win gave BMW its first Rolex Series Manufacturer Points championship and sixth manufacturer’s title for the BMW M3 North American racing program since 1995.

Tom Milner, in only his third professional race, and Kelly Collins scored the first victory of the season for the No. 16 Team PTG M3. The duo won from the pole, completing 84 laps around the 2.8-mile California Speedway road course, and finishing 38 seconds ahead of the No. 22 BMW Team PTG M3 of Boris Said and Joey Hand.

The No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3 clinched the Team Points title in round 11 at Barber Motorsports Park. The No. 22’s second place finish today gave BMW a 1-2 finish in the Team Points.

The No. 21 BMW Team PTG M3 of Bill Auberlen and Justin Marks finished sixth after suffering a fuel delivery problem on lap 45 that dropped the duo from a commanding race lead. A sixth place finish was enough for Auberlen to capture the Driver Points Championship. Both Auberlen and Said ended up tied with 373 points, but Auberlen’s eight wins to Said’s five gave him the title. Marks finished third in the Driver Points with 340 points. Hand finished sixth. To sum up a dominating season, BMW Team PTG won 10 of 12 races, including six 1-2 M3 finishes. BMW won the Manufacturer Points Championship, BMW Team PTG drivers were 1- 2-3 in the Driver Points Championship and 1-2 in the Team Points Championship.

TOM MILNER, DRIVER NO. 16 TEAM PTG M3 (first):
“This is unreal. I really thought that I would join the team and just learn how to drive a racing car in these last three races. The pole at VIR made me think that perhaps there would be more, but to have actually won a race is unbelievable.”

KELLY COLLINS, DRIVER NO. 16 TEAM PTG M3 (first):
“It is a dream come true to drive for Team PTG and BMW. I had a smile on my face every time I was behind the wheel of the M3. Congratulations to Tom on his first win and to Bill on the Driver’s title.”

BORIS SAID, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (second):
“Another 1-2 for BMW. It may have been a 1-2-3, but the No. 21 had a problem. Joey made a great run for the No. 16 M3, but we just did not have the fuel.”

JOEY HAND, DRIVER NO. 22 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (second):
“Another great day for BMW Team PTG. It certainly would have been nice to get another win for the No. 22 crew. Boris and I seem to have second place figured out with three runner-up finishes in a row. I think the No. 16 M3 got a little bit better mileage today. If they would have had to make a stop for fuel at the end, I think we may have caught them.”

BILL AUBERLEN, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (sixth):
“I think I went through every emotion in this race, from the feeling of first to the pits. In the end, we recovered for a sixth place finish and it was enough to tie the Driver Points with Boris. I got the title on wins, but everything we do is a team effort for BMW.”

JUSTIN MARKS, DRIVER NO. 21 BMW TEAM PTG M3 (sixth):
“Today is another indication of how good PTG really is. You can’t expect to have a flawless run every race, but it is when you have a problem and overcome it that shows what you are made of. We were hit with something that could have taken us out, but the guys rallied and we didn’t go down too far.”

TOM MILNER, OWNER, BMW TEAM PTG:
“I never imagined that we would have won all the championships so decisively after our performance at Daytona. Every member of BMW Team PTG showed what they were made of this season. Tom and Kelly did a magnificent job today and I say that both as a team owner and a father.”

HERNANDO CARVAJAL, MOTORSPORT MANAGER, BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC:
“Once again BMW Team PTG has shown that they are the best. What a season! The Manufacturers Championship, 1-2-3 in the Drivers Points and 1-2 in the Team Points.”

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