"It was a really hard race,"said Magnussen. "You had to use 100% of your concentration all the time but I am so pleased for everyone on the team to get this win. The start went better than I expected and after that it was just a question of getting to the finish line in one piece."
Not only Muller had back luck. The second BMW of Jean-Marc Gounou and Bill Auberlen spun twice; causing the damage to the rear of the V12 LMR that required a 20-minute pit stop to repair. Even the third place winner #78 Audi with Frank Biela spun. "I had trouble starting the car after the spin and I thought the race was over." #77 with McNish/Pirro had to retire at lap 88. "ŠI aquaplaned off at the high speed right hander. I slid across the grass then hit a rut,"said McNish."which damaged the floor and radiator duct meaning instant retirement. It's been one of those problematic days."
"I really think Jan was the secret of our success today," explained team mate David Brabham. "Thanks Jan! It was very difficult to keep the car on the black stuff, and when it was raining hard, we were aquaplaning all over the place. We seemed to have a better car though, when the rain eased a bit, which ultimately worked to our advantage."
Team management played a big part in this victory by electing to remain on slick tires during the first rainfall of the afternoon. It only lasted for about ten laps and most of Panoz's rivals a were forced to pit again to change tires when the rain stopped.
Prior to the Bitburger/AvD-1000, Michele Alboreto, two-time winner at that circuit, in Formula One and the FIA Sports Car World Championship series, described his impressions of Nurburgring. He placed third at LeMans.
"There are some racing tracks in the world that are very, very special and the Nurburgring is one of these. I have a lot of good memories from this legendary placeŠ" said Alboreto. "Going back this year in the Audi R8 will be great, and I will try to describe to you what is a lap at the " German temple of motorsport." The surface is very smooth, not bumpy at all, and that gives a little advantage to the best aerodynamic cars."
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