Text 82, 57 rader
Skriven 2006-06-04 10:49:00 av Mike Powell (1:2320/105.0)
Ärende: BMWUS: Matt Lee Wins Round 4
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Matt Lee Wins Round 4 after dde Silvestro disqualified
 
Lakeville, Conn. - May 29, 2006-- Matt Lee (Team Autotecnica) was declared
the winner of today's Round 4 race at Lime Rock Park after Simona de
Silvestro (EuroInternational) was excluded following post-race technical
inspection. De Silvestro, the runner-up in Saturday's Round 3 race and front
row starter today, took the lead from polesitter Lee on lap 4. She held him
at bay for the remaining 21 laps of the 30-minute contest around the
1.53-mile Lime Rock circuit. The race ended under yellow following a spin by
Scott Schroeder which left him high sided on curbing on lap 19. Following de
Silvestro's disqualification, Round 2 winner Daniel Morad (AIM Autosport)
moved up to second, retaining the lead in Rookie points. John Zartarian
(Gelles Racing) took over the third position. Sebastian Saavedra (Gelles
Racing) set the fastest lap of the race (52.259 seconds) on lap 20.
 
A total of five drivers gave their season-best performances. In addition to
Lee, Maxime Pelletier (Gelles Racing) finished fourth, Jordan Dick (Team Apex
Racing USA) finished seventh, Phillip Major (Atlantic Racing Team) finished
10th and Joel Jackson (Gelles Racing) finished 15th.
 
IMSA's Race Director excluded de Silvestro's car for a non-compliant part.
EuroInternational filed an official protest and following a protest hearing
the IMSA Stewards upheld the decision. An appeal by the team may follow.
 
Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA) leads the Overall point, with second
Morad and Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA) third. Saavedra leads Morad
in the Rookie points. David Garza (EuroInternational) stands third.
 
The top finishing Rookies were Morad (P2), Maxime Pelletier (P4), Jordan Dick
(P7), Saavedra (P9) and Robert Thorne (P14).
 
Lee said, "Definitely, I want to continue these strong finishes. I had the
pole position, finished second - now declared the winner. It was a long race
with 25 laps and one mistake allowed Simona to pass me. I raced really hard
and will continue this strategy in the next Rounds when we race in Montreal
and Indianapolis. Of course I would like to win, but definitely a podium
finish should be possible."
 
Morad said, "I am very happy with my podium finish. I like the race track a
lot. It fits my style almost perfectly. It is a little bit bumpy, but I don't
really mind as it is more to my advantage." Regarding the next Rounds in
support of the Canadian Grand Prix he added, "Montreal is almost my home
track - it is about five hours away from home - and a lot of my friends and
family will be there and watching."
 
The 2006 Formula BMW USA championship takes a three-week break before the
four most popular rounds of the year take place in support of the Canadian
Grand Prix on June 23 - 25 and the United Stated Grand Prix on June 30 - July
2.
 
-bmw.usa-
 
##MMR 2.61#. 


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