Road America: Dunlop Racing race report

Dunlop Helps Carry BMW Rahal Letterma Racing Team to Victory in ALMS Action

AKRON, Ohio, August 26, 2010 -- Once again, Dunlop tires on the BMW M3 racing cars of the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team helped carry the team to the checkered flag in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season, held at the Road America race course in Elkhart Lake, WI.

In the Aug. 21 race, the #90 M3 of BMW Rahal Letterman Racing took the victory in the GT2 class, with drivers Joey Hand and Dirk Muller sharing duties. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing team also won the ALMS race at Road America in 2009.

In post-race remarks, Bobby Rahal, team co-owner, commented, "There were a couple of critical moments in the race where the Dunlop tires absolutely had to be there for us, and they were right on the mark every time. Dirk had to push really hard over the last 20 laps, and the quality of the Dunlops gave him the confidence he needed to drive the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3 as hard as he could."

The team has now captured nine podium finishes in the first seven races of the 2010 campaign. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, with two BMW M3 race cars in the GT Series, now looks ahead to the Aug. 29 Grand Prix of Mosport race at Mosport International Raceway near Toronto.

Dunlop has been BMW Rahal Letterman Racing's tire provider since the launch of the M3 GT program last year, and the racing tires have been credited for helping the team mature and develop into a consistent performer and winner. The success this season has moved BMW into the lead of the GT Manufacturer points race in ALMS competition.

Because most of the ALMS races are lengthy in laps and overall racing time, the teams switch drivers throughout the competition during pit stops. The tires, especially, must be consistent for long runs, and the Dunlops have been praised by the team for their continuing improvement.

According to Dunlop brand general manager Jonathan Lee, "The technology developed in racing keeps us technically sharp, and it develops a racing spirit throughout our organization."

-source: dunlop racing