Race Recap: Strong Showing for Million, Palomar Racing at WRL Barber with Podium in GP1
Birmingham, AL | March 1-3rd, 2024
Round 2 of 10 for the 2024 World Racing League season took place at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Matt Million competed in the Palomar Racing #38 BMW E36 in the GP1 class alongside codrivers Ryan Keeley and Sean Milburn. Together, they extended their class championship lead with a competitive 3rd place in Saturday’s 8 hour and, after a technical issue in the last hour, 5th in Sunday’s 7 Hour.
With 14 cars entered in GP1 and 50+ entries between all five WRL classes, the 15 combined hours of racing saw fast action and strategy throughout. After a double podium in the first round at Eagles Canyon, two more results at the sharp end of the field have kept Million and the team leading the GP1 championship.
Saturday’s 8 Hour started on an extremely wet track after thunderstorms plagued practice and qualifying on Friday. Million started the #38 from 6th in class. Although the track was wet, the rain had stopped and the surface began to change into ‘drying’ conditions and soon a full 'dry line’ by the end of Million’s opening double stint. With the car’s setup ultimately geared toward dry conditions, Million played a patient game to remain around 6th for the opening hour before rapidly picking up time as the dry track formed. He moved the #38 Palomar Solar BMW E36 into 2nd place, and briefly the lead, just before the first round of pit stops.
From there, team regular Keeley took over for a full double stint and contested around 3rd for much of the two-and-a-half hours. Excellent stops from the Palomar Racing team kept the team fighting between 2nd and 3rd by the time Milburn took over from Keeley. A newcomer to the team but not to touring car racing, he kept the #38 in a competitive position during his stint. Million took over for the final hour on a well timed pit stop that put them within seconds of the #44 PC Racing BMW E46 for 2nd place. Million lacked the ultimate pace to compete, but fought as hard as possible to sustain 3rd place on the day.
Million started Sunday’s 7 hour from the 4th position since he set the classes’ 4th fastest lap the prior day. Within two corners, Million took control of the race by passing for the lead with a fantastic start. He held 2nd place for the majority of his opening stint as the #44 PC Racing entry was too quick to hold back. Million describes his attempts to hold onto 2nd as ‘one of the best stints he’s ever driven’ as he fought off multiple GP1 front runners for the position.
Milburn jumped aboard during the first round of stops to complete his stint before the mandatory 1-hour Sunday ‘quiet hour’, doing a great job. Keeley put in his usual ‘fuel saving masterclass’ to extend his double stint to two-and-a-half hours yet again once the race got back underway. With about an hour to go, Palomar Racing was in a fight for 2nd again but this time with #150 ASM Honda S2000. Million was back in and on the charge when a sudden electrical issue killed the car’s main power. The #38 was towed behind-the-wall with 40 minutes remaining. Although they briefly got back on track, the issue soon came back and Palomar retired the car in the final half hour. Still, a remarkable day up to that point meant they’d still finish 5th of 14 in the car having built up a sizable gap.
It was another impressive weekend for the Palomar Racing team as they continue to make strides and become known as a GP1 front runner. To remain in podium contention for 14 of 15 hours and lead the race on a few occasions, as well as have zero pit lane or on-track penalties, is another huge step in the right direction following 2023.
Matt wants to thank his co-driver Ryan Keeley and Sean Milburn for a great weekend with their camaraderie and support. Thank you to Andy and Mike Anderson with the support of Palomar Solar and Roofing, of which none of this season would’ve been possible without.
Special thank you’s as well to the crew, including the driver’s and the owner’s, along with Blair, Grant, BimmerSpeed (Ryan, Mike, Pete, Mark), Strom Motorsports, Mashore Autobody, and many others who have helped our season.
Matt wants to thank all the volunteers and corporate partners who support Palomar Racing. The primary support of Palomar Solar and Roofing along with support by Apex Race Parts, Red Line Synthetic Oil, Ferodo Racing, AP / Essex Part Services, Yokohama Tires, BimmerWorld, Strom Motorsports, BIMMERSPEED, FastSideways, Enphase, Panasonic Solar, Swift Springs, MCS, AGA Tools, SignArt Graphix, and others.
Visit ‘Photos’ to view more pictures from the event and other pages on mattmillionracing.com.
Photography by Sam of Low Tide Motorsports & Scottie Elkins