Le Mans 2011: BMW scores pole position and P3 - Andy Priaulx heavy accident

BMW Motorsport secured excellent grid positions for the 24-60 minutes race in Le Mans (FR). In the third qualifying session, Augusto Farfus (BR) fix the fastest time in the LM GTE class, recording a three:57.592 minutes lap in the no. 55 BMW M3 GT.

This meant pole position for the 27-twelvemonth-old and his swain BMW drivers, Jörg Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE). The second BMW M3 GT (number 56) volition tackle the 79th running of the endurance classic from third on the grid. Andy Priaulx (GB) had posted this auto's  best lap with a time of iii:58.426 minutes during Wednesday'southward first qualifying session.

Withal, the triple world touring motorcar champion and his squad-mates, Dirk Müller (DE) and Joey Hand (U.s.a.) were forced to sit down out the third two-hr qualifying session on Thursday night.

In the last stages of session two, Priaulx turned into a passenger in the Ford hanky-panky, afterward another car had gone off and spread loads of gravel on the track. He lost control of his BMW M3 GT and hit the tyre barriers hard. While the front of the car was heavily damaged, Priaulx fortunately walked abroad from the accident without a scratch.

The crew now has plenty of fourth dimension until the start of the race on Saturday, at xv:00hrs local fourth dimension, to get the no. 56 BMW M3 GT ready for action again. Before the marathon gets underway on the xiii.629-kilometre track, the drivers will be role of the testify during the classic Drivers' Parade in the centre of Le Manson Friday. One time again thousands of fans are expected to cheer the competitors of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Managing director):"This has been a strong qualifying for our squad. On Wed Andy Priaulx clocked a very quick lap, which put him on provisional pole. In the second qualifying session, unfortunately he had an accident, caused by gravel on the runway. This blow means at least i nightshift for the mechanics of the Schnitzer team. Fortunately there isn't some other practice session on Fri, and then we are sure to get the car repaired in time for warm-up on Saturday morning. In the third and final qualifying, we were involved in an exciting duel with the Ferrari, which was decided in favour of Augusto Farfus. Of course nosotros are more than than satisfied with first and third on the filigree and look forwards to a proficient race."

Augusto Farfus (auto number 55): "I didn't get a run in the starting time session today, but knew the atmospheric condition at the start of the final session should be platonic for a quick lap. The automobile felt really proficient, and and so I was able to put together a good lap and was delighted with the time I set. Pole is certainly non vital for a proficient outcome in a 24 60 minutes race, but it is a great feeling to know your automobile is the quickest in its course. Add to this the reliability that it has shown all year and I experience pretty confident ahead of the race."

Jörg Müller (car number 55):"We used today'due south qualifying session to carry on with our race preparation programme. Augusto managing to prepare the pole position lap is but great. This track changes a lot almost from one lap to the adjacent. So it's a big challenge to react properly in terms of fix-up. This has worked well for us and then far. We tin exist happy with our functioning, and I just feel very confident in the car."

Dirk Werner (car number 55):"This pole position is fantastic, but it's fifty-fifty more important nosotros managed to take some steps frontward once again in preparation for  the race. The car is just getting better and better. We know that grid positions are non that of import in a 24hour race. Just nevertheless a pole position should requite all of us an extra boost."

Andy Priaulx (car number 56):"I am then sorry for the team as this is a large shame and gives them such a lot of work. I was looking frontwards to having a practiced go, and was merely winding the car upwardly for the outset of the lap. I arrived and didn't know there was annihilation wrong with the corner. There were no flags and simply a bounding main of gravel on the track, which meant i or more than cars had already gone off in front of me. Some other shame is we have missed tonight's qualifying session."

Dirk Müller (car number 56):"Plain nosotros are disappointed virtually not being able to complete our race preparation every bit planned. Even so, information technology was just unfortunate for u.s., Andy couldn't practise anything to avoid this accident with so much gravel on the track. Nosotros must now concentrate on what lies alee of usa. I'1000 pretty confident that the Schnitzer crew volition manage to get our car repaired."

Joey Hand (car number 56):"This might be the kickoff race weekend I'thou contesting with BMW Team Schnitzer and the guys from BMW Motorsport, but ane thing I know for sure if anybody can fix this auto, and so it will be this squad. Andy, Dirk and I will definitely exist even more pumped upwards for the race."

[Source: BMW ]

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Source: https://www.bmwblog.com/2011/06/10/le-mans-2011-bmw-scores-pole-position-and-p3-andy-priaulx-heavy-accident/