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| BimmerWorld Keeps Endurance Racing Streak Alive |
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In what is now becoming a tradition for the Dublin, Va.-based BimmerWorld SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car team, once the 2009 professional racing season concluded in early October at Laguna Seca, all efforts were focused on their favorite end of season endeavor: The 13 Hours of VIR.
BimmerWorld crew chief Jason Marks began preparing his personal 1992 BMW 325i, winner of both the 2008 13 Hours of VIR and 2009 12 Hours of Summit Point, immediately after resting up from the Laguna race. This car that started its track life as a $1000 bullet-ridden donor saved from a hard life on the streets has compiled an impressive history in a short period. Not to be outdone by BimmerWorld's three wins in World Challenge this year, Marks, with support from BimmerWorld's World Challenge technicians, set their sights on earning their third consecutive endurance racing win.
Akin to rescuing a dog from the pound to later win 'Best In Show,' the 325i, lovingly named 'White Lightning,' did the impossible by claiming overall honors once again at the 13 Hours of VIR. With two wins at VIR and one at Summit Point, 'White Lightning' has accumulated 38 consecutive hours of endurance racing success.
"It's a testament to the strength of the BMW platform, the products contributed by all of our sponsors, phenomenal work by our crew to prepare and run the car, and by our drivers," said Marks. "I'd like to think that we've proven that you don't need to spend a fortune to be successful in club racing events. It's all about the right people and the right parts."
"We have broken a lot of parts and run into a lot of problems in our 10+ years of racing" jokes BimmerWorld owner James Clay. "But there is nothing in this car that can't be found in our normal customer offerings; it is important to me that we sell parts that we know are capable and race proven. Additionally, the knowledge of how to make it all work together effectively and reliably is just as readily available for our customers. If this means they need to talk to our pro crew chief or the owner of the company to answer a question or solve a problem, we make time."
While 'White Lightning' has been an after hours project for the past two seasons, the 325i allows Marks to reverse roles with BimmerWorld team owner/driver James Clay. As owner/driver of the 325i, events like the 13 Hours of VIR present an opportunity for him to step away from his role as crew chief and focus on the pleasure of driving.
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