TURNER BMW SET SIGHTS ON COTA WITH AIM ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP; LONE STAR STATE SHOWDOWN
For immediate release 9/18/14
Austin, TX. – September 18th, 2014 -- As the pressure mounts with the GTD class title on the horizon, the Turner Motorsport team maintains focus on preparation for Saturday’s Lone Star Grand Prix at the world-class Circuit of the Americas, the first of the final two races in the 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship.
The blue and yellow set their sights on the complex 3.427-mile, 20-turn road course amongst an incredibly tight three-car battle for the GTD class Championship with just two races remaining. After the recent victory at Virginia International Raceway the No. 94 BMW Z4 of Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala claimed valuable points, forcing a tie with the No. 22 Porsche and No. 555 Ferrari.
“We have great momentum coming off back-to-back wins so we need to keep pushing and executing like we have been in hopes of taking sole possession of the points lead,” commented Dane Cameron. “It's really special to be a part of Turner Motorsport's 300th race with BMW this weekend and it would be great to get a win to make it even more memorable.”
Despite the team’s recent momentum, the latest IMSA Balance of Performance adjustments will add yet another 25kg to the already “weighed down” No. 94 Turner BMW. This latest “BoP” adjustment brings the total added weight to 80kg since round 3 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca back in May.
“I am a little apprehensive about our chances in the next two races,” explained Will Turner. “The 'Balance of Performance' adjustment was done by IMSA – our car gained 25kg – which proportionally is a lot of weight to carry - but what I am worried about is the positive adjustments the Porsches received – less weight, more front splitter with dive planes, larger refueling restrictor. It’s a little late in the season, in my opinion, to get such a significant adjustment especially when championships are at stake.”
Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala prepare for the challenge in round ten of the Tudor Championship, as the No. 94 Z4 will take to the track today for the first practice session in preparation for the “Lone Star State Showdown” in the 20 car strong GTD field. Currently the top three cars in GTD hold 244 points apiece, just 11 points over the fourth position and 19 over fifth and sixth, forcing a two-race battle for the title.
“I am excited to get on another new circuit and with a three-way tie for first in the championship it will be that much more exciting. With yet another BoP adjustment it’s not going to be easy, the race will go to the fastest guys with the least amount of mistakes,” said Markus Palttala. “We need another good result to put us in position to win the title at Petit, at this point it’s really anyone’s to claim.”
Tune In:
Qualifying for the Lone Star Grand Prix, Turner Motorsport's 300th Professional Race start will kick off on Friday, Sept. 19th at 5:30pm ET and will be broadcast live on IMSA.com. The two-hour and forty-five minute Lone Star Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas is set to start on Saturday, Sept. 20th at 12:30pm ET and can be seen LIVE on Fox Sports 2. In addition to the live broadcast the race will also re-broadcast on Fox networks on Sunday, Sept. 21st. Please check your local listings for specific times.