Lakeville, CT. (Jul. 8) - In his third American Le Mans Series Start, John Edwards not only claimed the fastest lap time in the GT qualifying session at Lime Rock Park, but also earned his first ALMS win with co-driver Dirk Müller and team BMW RLL Racing. The team showed strength all weekend long, setting the fastest laps in both practice sessions and in Friday’s qualifying session.

Facing ambient temperatures of 89 degrees with 85% humidity and a track temperature of 136 degrees, on race day, the strength and endurance of the drivers was put to the test during the two hour and forty five minute race. John led the GT field to green on Saturday in the 56 BMW Z4 and maintained the lead position for all 79 laps of his stint on the 1.5 mile road course. John pitted the Z4 in the lead position, handing the controls over to co-driver Dirk Muller to finish the race.

“That was a hard one,” said Edwards. “It was so humid and we were working so incredibly hard. I can’t remember sweating that much in a car, and I think my suit was probably six or seven pounds heavier at the end of my stint then what it was at the beginning of the race.”

On a track perfect for the BMW Z4, the 56 machine kept ahead of the field, and with both drivers, created a significant lead over the competition. In the final hour of the race, the 56 car felt pressure from Oliver Gavin in the Corvette, but the 56 car held strong to the top position, leading every lap of the Northeast Grand Prix. This win brings the team to first in the GT championship standings.

“Fantastic job by team Rahal,” said John. “We knew the BMW was going to be quick here. This result was key for us at this race because we’re going to go to certain tracks that don’t suit us, and we need to be ahead at the tracks we’re good at.”

John’s next race in the American Le Mans Series with Team BMW RLL Racing will be The Orion Energy System 245 at Road America August 9-11th.