XEETEC BMW OF SEARLE/KELLY 6:10 AT BATHURST
Contributer:Xeetec
08/02/2008

Today’s results show the strength of mind that a small BMW racing car team from Newcastle, NSW have had over the last ten months.

Driver’s Luke Searle and Peter Kelly, along with chief mechanic Shane Brandon together with David Searle from David Searle Motorsport (DSM) have been solely working towards the first practice session at the WPS Bathurst 12 hour with steely determination.

Today’s early results illustrate a well sorted BMW 130i that is two seconds quicker than the first practice session for the 2007 WPS Bathurst 12 hour, quicker than Holden’s V8 Sportswagon and over 10 places higher than it’s direct Hot Hatch rivals.

WPS BATHURST 12 HOUR PRACTICE #1

Full Results on Natsoft: http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?10/02/2008.MOUN.P3



Luke jumped into the Xeetec BMW for the first five laps of the first session to shakedown the handling, bed in the brakes and to assess the circuit. Once back in the pits, Peter climbed in for another three laps before Luke finished the session out.



* Total laps 10
* Position 6th fastest (1st fastest in Hot Hatch Performance Class)
* Time 2:37.4599



A problem with fuel pick up was noted during the entire session especially under heavy braking which has slowed the car considerably but time before session two will be used to rectify the problem for Saturday’s all important qualifying.



WPS BATHURST 12 HOUR PRACTICE #2



Full Results on Natsoft: http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?10/02/2008.MOUN.P6



Luke again jumped into the Xeetec BMW for the first six laps but immediately the fuel pick up problem returned this time affecting the car on every corner on every lap. Peter again jumped into the car but was baulked on each hot lap as he tried to better Luke’s Practice #1 time.



* Total laps 17
* Position 10th fastest (1st fastest in Hot Hatch Performance Class)
* Time 2:38.2066



But it was not to be, as time and a busy session interrupted any attempt to drive around the fuel pick up problem. Both drivers were happy with day one and believe that another 1-2 seconds can be found from the car before race day.

XEETEC PRACTICE OVERVIEW

So with the first day’s shakedown out the way it was down to Shane Brandon from Newcastle Performance Centre to diagnose the problem and he did. The team is now working to replace all the necessary parts and fine tune the suspension set up in readiness for day two; Practice #3 and then Qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

XEETEC

Who are Xeetec? They are an up and coming electronics company specializing in motor sport digital video systems who have been working closely with Newcastle based DSM BMW team for over a year now developing the MVS which is a solid state digital video system specifically designed to cope with the harsh environment of motorsport.

The Xeetec MVS unit is able to view lap by lap progress and works to find the fastest way around the mountain with the team.

For more information about Xeetec log onto www.xeetec.com.au or for information about this exciting event log onto http://www.bathurstmotorfestival.com.au

The XEETEC BMW Team invites you to drop by the pit garage at Bathurst this weekend. Ask for a demonstration of the new XEETEC MVS unit or just have a chat with Peter, Shane or Luke about the BMW 130i.

For updated photos try Wilson Brothers Racing and see how the Subaru’s are traveling as well:


http://www.wilsonbrothersracing.com/news9.html



For more information on the Xeetec BMW Car Team contact:

Xeetec Racing Media Manager

DISCUSS XEETEC BMW OF SEARLE/KELLY 6:10 AT BATHURST IN OUR FORUMS! HERE