ALMS: The GT war continues in Mid-Ohio

If BMW did not achieve a fourth consecutive ALMS victory at Mosport, it is only because the Auberlen-D duo. Werner received a penalty after being found guilty of a collision. This weekend, at Mid-Ohio, the propeller firm will be keen to return to the top step of the podium.

“We still have a solid lead in the championship, tempers Dirk Müller, championship leader with his teammate Joey Hand. With the title in mind, our goal will be to increase this lead. » If the Bavarians will see the diameter of their air intake flanges decrease by 0,4 mm, this should not prevent them from being in the running for the win. “The cars performed very well at Mid-Ohio last year, explains Bill Auberlen. The technical aspects of the track suit our car and the Dunlop tires well. Also taking into account our good knowledge of the route, we should be fine. »

But the propeller firm's adversaries are hungry for success, and are ready to infiltrate the breach opened by Corvette at Mosport. Second overall, Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin are determined to bag a second victory in a row in order to move back into the lead. “Mid Ohio is not a bad route for us, Magnussen says. VShis year we were a little behind due to regulations. But that could change in Mid-Ohio. Now it could be our turn to shine. » “It’s not far from the team premises, continues Oliver Beretta, who shares the wheel of the No. 3 with Tommy Milner. A lot of people who designed and built the cars come. I hope we get good results with the two C6 ZR1s. »

Corvette and BMW will not, however, be the only contenders for the top step of the GT podium on Saturday. Having come close to victory at Mosport, the Risi Competizione team will try to offer the Ferrari 458 Italia its first victory across the Atlantic with its pair Jaime Melo-Toni Vilander. Triple title holder in the category, Flying Lizard Motorsports will also want to taste champagne for the first time in 2011. The American team will be all the more motivated as it is on this same track that it won its first victory in ALMS eight years ago. “It’s a very frustrating season for the No. 45 (that of the Bergmeister-Long duo, editor’s note), admits Thomas Blam, the head of strategy. Nous avons eu la vitesse à chaque course. Nous nous sommes bien qualifiés et avons roulé dans le peloton de tête. C?est dur de ne pas réussir à transformer cela en résultats. Nous en sommes à la mi-saison. Espérons que les choses changeront à Mid-Ohio. Lors des huit dernières années, nous avons gagné à quatre reprises. C?est un tracé sur lequel la Porsche peut exceller. »

The fight promises to be intense. Once again, in ALMS, you will have to look for a spectacle in the GT category.