View Full Version : PTG Returns to the ALMS for the Petit Le Mans


TomM
09-30-2003, 05:31 PM
From http://www.imsaracing.net/imsaNS.cfm?h=/2003/news/header.htm&p=/2003/news/9-30200374244ALMS.htm

Yokohama Tire to Sponsor PTG BMW in ADVAN Colors at Petit Le Mans ALMS

Kim Hernandez 9-30-2003

MIAMI, FLORIDA (SEPTEMBER 2003) -- In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its ADVAN brand, Yokohama Rubber Company of Japan (parent of the US-based Yokohama Tire Corporation) will sponsor a Prototype Technology Group (PTG)-run BMW E46 to compete in the GT class at the ALMS Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, October 16 through 18th.

The BMW will run in the traditional ADVAN paint scheme that has graced racecars that have competed around the globe for the last 25 years. As part of this significant anniversary, Yokohama has sponsored several cars to run in ADVAN colors this year, including a Seikel Porsche in GT at Sebring, the Kondo Dome-Mugen in LMP900 and Taisan Porsche in GT at Le Mans, and now the PTG BMW at Petit Le Mans.

The ADVAN BMW will be powered by a PTG development of the six-cylinder engine that last won the GT Team championship in 1999. Drivers will be the 2001 Petit Le Mans winning team of Bill Auberlen, Boris Said and Hans Stuck.

“ We are very excited that PTG accepted our offer to run this car under our ADVAN colors at Petit Le Mans. I can’t think of a better way to introduce the ADVAN brand to U.S. enthusiasts than to compete at this event with this team and these drivers,” said Art Michalik, Director of Marketing Communications for Yokohama Tire Corporation.

ADVAN was one of the first performance brands in the tire industry. It was created by Yokohama to differentiate its racing slicks and highest performance treaded tires from its regular passenger lines. The name has been carried into battle at tracks across the globe, along with its distinctive red and black diagonal paint scheme.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is now utilizing its motorsports activities to launch the ADVAN brand in the United States. ADVAN racing tires are being used by Acemco Motorsports (GT Ferrari 360GT), Seikel Motor Sport (GT Porsche 911), Alegra Motorsport (GT BMW) in American Le Mans, and by all teams in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship. Yokohama will soon offer 18" ADVAN A048 tires for Porsche cars that compete on treaded, DOT-type race tires.

Yokohama Tire Corporation manufactures, markets and distributes a complete line of products for high performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. Yokohama supports the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information on Yokohama and its products, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Raptor
09-30-2003, 09:11 PM
Great news! Looking forward to the Petit even more now.

stenney
10-03-2003, 09:38 PM
Tom,

So this car is running the S52 engine and not the S54, is that right? Isn't there more HP from the S54? From all the development PTG has done with the SWC cars I've been hoping to see a GT car in ALMS with the S54. I think it's good to run a car, but it was down on power with the six in 2001 and I've talked to some of your guys who have been very positive about the S54.

Steve Tenney

Raptor
10-07-2003, 07:31 PM
I think its the S54. At least the pics I've seen of it look like the S54.

TomM
10-08-2003, 04:45 PM
Hey Steve,

It is going to use a 3.4ltr S54 motor.

stenney
10-08-2003, 07:39 PM
Tom,

Thanks. Is that a little enlarged to 3.4L? I mean that's fine with me, a little more power is good. I'm rooting for them already.

smt

B.Watts
10-08-2003, 09:23 PM
Tom-

Are you going to be down at RA for the weekend? I couldn't put together a budget to run Star Mazda or WC for the weekend :mad:, but I'm gonna bomb down there anyway to see some folks and watch the races. I'll stop by the PTG paddock to say hi if you're gonna be around. :wave:

stenney
10-19-2003, 11:15 AM
Hey Tom,

Any chance the car will be run next year? They were looking like they had enough speed for third place, with a new car, not too bad. Was PTG encouraged by the result? I've seen the discussion on the SCCA BB, is this another alternative without the weight juggling?

Great job in both cases. Hope the GT car goes well in PR.

smt

Raptor
10-19-2003, 01:57 PM
I hope they'll run the car in ALMS next year. I'd love to see it at the ALMS race @ Lime Rock on July 4th next year!!

TomM
11-02-2003, 08:24 PM
Sorry we missed each other Bryan. I looked around in the SM paddok one afternoon and didn't see your name on one of the cars.

Keep your ears peeled for next year. :D

BMWGIRL
11-17-2003, 06:34 PM
For all of you PTG fans...like me...I found Justin Marks website today.:clap:
JustinMarksracing.com:awink:

Mark85
11-17-2003, 09:03 PM
Hey Tom, I met your dad the other day at a AYES dinner...I'm in Peanuts class at Monroe, same school you went to right?

I'll have to come down to the shop one day and check out your cars.

TomM
11-18-2003, 10:19 PM
Yeah Mark, I was there too. I'm in Peanut's class, but the morning class. I'm a senior but didn't take his class the first year. What school do you go to?

Mark85
11-20-2003, 07:57 PM
I go to Stone Bridge in Ashburn...you still taking the second year of peanuts class?

I was the last one to present a mentor award, grey shirt with dirty blonde hair, only one who didnt dress up...lol

You like peanuts class? one thing you'll learn about him is that hes always right and you can't argue with him, i think hes startin to go a little crazy in the head...haha

TomM
11-21-2003, 05:41 PM
Hahaha - Peanut is cool. His class is fun and he's got a sense of humor at least. Way too many uptight people in this world. If I defer my first year of college because of racing, I'll probobly do the second year of his class, but otherwise I won't.

I know what you mean about him always being right. Even if you are right, and he is wrong, he'll give some lame excuse to get out of it. He's cool though.

What do you drive?

Mark85
11-22-2003, 07:30 PM
I just got a 93 325is a month ago, just bought a chip and intake...

sutphin is cool sometimes, he can get mad pretty fast...just dont get caught playing games on the computer, lol

or without your glasses