Laguna Seca: BimmerWorld race report

BimmerWorld: Matt Richmond Rocks in Monterey

BimmerWorld BMW SPEED Touring Car driver Matt Richmond found himself in the midst of a tough return to the team and series last weekend. Practice and qualifying had proven to be a bag of mixed fortunes, and Richmond wasn't initially sure he was adapting as fast as he should be.

"Any time you're out of the saddle for a year, it takes a few sessions to hone your instincts and get plugged back into the attacking mentality you have to have. By the time I got to the race, I was primed to give the other guys (in the series) a hard time."

Starting 22nd, Richmond found himself in familiar territory once the lights went out and the race started. "I guess I have a knack for winning the B&M Holeshot award..."

Richmond rocketed from 22nd to an eventual 10th place, with the twelve cars overtaken serving as a reminder that Matt belongs in SPEED Touring Car, and also belongs in the winner's circle with the new-look BimmerWorld E90 team. "You know, as a team, we've always had fun. The team and the cars are very professional now--right with the other top teams. Seth and James are just awesome team mates and drivers to be partnered with. I told Seth he has come a long way, both with car control and his understanding of chassis engineering. There's no question BimmerWorld will win more races in 2008. I hope to be a part of that success."

Richmond's partners at Laguna had a tougher time, with Seth Thomas encountering a driveline issue that left him stationary on the grid, and James Clay, on a flier from 14th, impacting Thomas' bumper when he was left without an escape route to dodge the #38 BMW E90.

Clay took the event in stride. "I had a great launch at the start, and was going to pass a blue Mazda when he jerked hard left at the last moment. When he did that, I found myself motoring hard with Seth then revealed to be stranded right in front of me. With the Mazda moving out of the way so late to expose Seth's car, I never had a chance to avoid him." Clay's day ended in the first ten seconds of the final race, as did Thomas'.

Thomas could only hold his head up high and look for 2008. "I know success is waiting right there for me. These BMW E90's just plain scoot, and with all of the development we've now done on them, it's time to reap those rewards next season. I wish Sebring was tomorrow because I'm ready to race and I'm ready to win right now."

2007 served as the breakthrough season for BimmerWorld. The confirmation that the team was making the right move by building and developing their own BMW E90 chassis came in the form of a pole position, a win, Thomas starting in the top four on four occasions, James Clay's podium at Road Atlanta, and Matt Richmond's ability to return after a year off and march into the top ten at Laguna Seca.

BimmerWorld owner James Clay was proud of what his team and partners had accomplished in 2007. "Our crew is 100% responsible for our results--they build, maintain, and improve the cars with every ounce of their dedication. All of our partners and sponsors have played vital roles in transforming our E90's from nothing more than an idea into a car that's always on the hunt for a win. We'll be working flat out over the winter to come back in 2008 with an even stronger team effort."

-credit: bimmerworld