Seth Thomas on his Sebring race charge from 4th; his engine electronics would soon halt his advances (Photo: Marshall Pruett)
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SPEEDtv.com: How so?
Thomas: "2006 was a year of lots of ups and downs. I started out qualifying and running in my highest spots ever at Sebring, and thinking it was my season--my confidence was really high especially with the new E90 yet to be brought out yet. Then when the E90 was first raced I realized the season was going to be a lot harder than I thought.
"It's easy to underestimate how much time and effort goes into making a new car competitive. The first couple of races were hard getting back in the rhythm with a new car. After that everything was up and down. The car ran well but luck wouldn't be on my side; t wasn't until Laguna were things started to really shine. The E90 was 4th fastest and really flew there. I'm really proud for 2007 to have started off so strongly for us."
SPEEDtv.com: You had electrical issues during the race, didn't you?
Thomas: "Yeah, I got a great start from 4th, but the engine started cutting out without warning from the second lap onwards. I feel bad for some of the guys that were dicing with me because out of nowhere, I'd lose power and they'd run right into me in the middle of a corner. I think all four corners of my car got crumpled during the race. I did my best to hold on, but it's hard to challenge for a win when my motor goes to sleep a few times a lap…"
SPEEDtv.com: What do you predict for yourself and Bimmerworld at Miller in a few weeks?
Thomas: "I hope for more of the same speed-we've gotten in some good testing since then, and I really love the track in Utah. We're diehard BMW people, so it's important for us to represent the brand and the Bimmerworld team as strongly as we can."
SPEEDtv.com: How about you James, what's in store for Miller?
Clay: "Well, my race at Sebring was cut short when I had a Dodge hit me in the back on the first lap and cut down a tire. I went a lap down before we really even got started, so Seth and I being able to attack the leaders as a team went out the window. Miller should be different-the handling and power of our E90's are close and maybe on par with the other cars now.
"I know the Audi's, BMW's, Acura's and Mazda's are focusing hard on the same results we are. It will be a tough year battling it out
with these guys but I think the work we have done in the off-season to get the cars lighter and faster will pay huge dividends for us throughout the year. BimmerWorld should have their first World Challenge win with numerous podiums-Utah will be my first chance to deliver this year. I think we will be the team that shows we worked the hardest this off-season.
"Our best strength is our crew and lengths they take to give us a fast car every weekend. We have the same crew this year along with a couple of new people who all get along really well with each other. This same crew worked relentlessly making the car faster last season even though we had lots of small problems that plagued them along the way. They saw each of the problems as challenges, worked around them and made the car better each time out. BimmerWorld is nothing without the guys that put me in the car every weekend we race."
SPEEDtv.com: So, we'll look for the Clay/Thomas tandem again in Salt Lake City, and hope for the same strong qualifying and an uninterrupted race?
Clay: "Exactly--Seth is like my right hand on the track and we work very well together. We're both experienced with the E90 platform and with the work we have done over the winter, I'm confident we now have the proper tool to win races."
Follow BimmerWorld's progress and that of the rest of the SPEED World Challenge series, along with event photo galleries and video segments at Utah here on SPEEDtv.com.
To learn more about the BimmerWorld drivers and team, visit BimmerWorld Racing
Marshall Pruett is Automotive Editor for SPEEDTV.com. Pruett also covers the SPEED World Challenge series and provides other racing features and commentary. Marshall grew up at "Pruett's Olde English Garage," his father's shelter for abused foreign cars, and spent his childhood being dragged across the West Coast to help with his dad's amateur racing exploits. A rather predictable fascination with cars and working for racing teams soon followed.
He's since retired from that career in motorsports, but continues to build street cars and race cars for a variety of auto manufacturers. He can be reached at marshall.pruett@speedtv.com
