[DOF_power]

BMW returns to the ALMS with Rahal Letterman

By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ February 6, 2008 ⋅ E-mail this post ⋅ Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
© BMW Motorsport // The new for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe GT2

BMW announced at the Chicago Auto Show Wednesday its plan to return to the American Le Mans Series with its next-generation M3 coupe starting late 2008. For this venture, Rahal Letterman Racing will campaign the cars on behalf of BMW Motorsport.
“This is another monumental day for the American Le Mans Series - we have had a phenomenal start to ‘08 and this big news from BMW adds to our momentum,” said Series President and CEO Scott Atherton. “BMW represents one of the cornerstones on which the American Le Mans Series was built and has maintained a loyal following of dedicated owners and fans since that time. We are thrilled to embrace this effort from BMW with Rahal Letterman Racing.”
The 2009 season will see Rahal Letterman campaign two M3s for a full-season championship run.
As a result, BMW will compete in a GT2 field that includes efforts from defending class champion Ferrari as well as Aston Martin, Dodge, Ford, Panoz and Porsche. The Series boasts more manufacturers in the single GT2 class than many other motorsports series do in their entire grid.
“The American Le Mans Series prides itself on being the ultimate R&D platform for manufacturers from all over the globe,” Atherton said. “And now BMW - ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ - joins the most extensive list of world-class manufacturers to recognize the opportunity the Series offers to transfer the technology present on their race cars directly to showrooms and dealerships around the world. I have no doubt that BMW will capitalize on its investment in the American Le Mans Series and see the same rewards our other competing manufacturers have realized.”
The return of BMW appropriately coincides with the American Le Mans Series’ 10th season of world-class sports car racing. BMW won the first race in the history of the American Le Mans Series as JJ Lehto, Tom Kristensen and Jorg Muller drove a BMW V12 LMR to victory in the 1999 Twelve Hours of Sebring. That same year, BMW became the first team from the American Le Mans Series to win the overall championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In all, BMW teams have won 15 times in the series - nine in GT2 and six in LMP1.
“Not only has the American Le Mans Series’ fan base increased substantially over the years, but also has BMW’s following among its owners and club members,” Atherton said. “BMW has some of the most passionate and outspoken fans - trust me, I hear them often… - and I believe we can speak for these fans in saying we are overjoyed that they will be returning to the Series. We share the passion and appreciation they have for world-class sports car racing and competition, and we can’t wait to see the new BMW M3 back on the race track.”
(American Le Mans Series)
NB.
Before taking on the competition in the American Le Mans Series the new M3 will be tested intensively by current BMW FIA WTCC drivers Andy Priaulx, Jörg Müller and Augusto Farfus. No dates or locations for these tests are given out by BMW Motorsport and/or Rahal Letterman Racing.

[Racer Duck]

here's some pics of the new M3:





and from the Rahal Letterman Racing website this info:

The Hilliard, Ohio-based team will play a large role in BMW’s return to ALMS competition, where the manufacturer earned 15 wins between 1999 and 2001, including a run of six consecutive victories in 2001 that was capped by a Petit Le Mans title.

Today’s announcement, which came in conjunction with the unveiling of the new BMW M3 race car at the Chicago Auto Show, will see Rahal Letterman Racing campaign a full-time, two-car effort beginning in 2009.

“This is a very important day for the future of Rahal Letterman Racing and we are eagerly anticipating playing a lead role in returning BMW to the sharp end of the ALMS grid,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “In my years, not only in motorsports but also as a BMW dealer, I have always been impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the BMW organization and we at RLR are proud to be a part of it.”

Rahal Letterman Racing made its first foray into ALMS racing in 2007 after running in IndyCar/CART/Champ Car and the IRL for the past 14 seasons. The team won the 1992 CART title and the 2004 Indianapolis 500, and carried that success into ALMS where the team posted five podium finishes in 12 starts.

“We are very excited to announce our return to the American Le Mans Series with the fourth generation M3 at the same time as the road car hits the BMW showrooms. We are also excited about our partnership with Rahal Letterman Racing,” noted Martin Birkmann, Motorsports Manager, BMW of North America. “Motorsport is deeply ingrained in the BMW DNA and we are pleased to partner with an organization which shares that same heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is the perfect partner to be behind the wheel of our new BMW M3 racing effort.”

more....

[DOF_power]

Sweet car, now the GT2 category looks like it's gonna be awsome with Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, Aston Martin and BMW.

[Racer Duck]

why did BMW drop out in 2001?

[DOF_power]

Well the story goes back to the introduction of air restrictors that have made the M3 with inline 6 high rever uncompetitive.
So BMW replied with the M3 GTR (V8 instead of an inline 6; witch meant they had to make the ultra expensive homologation M3 GTR street-legal).
The car blew the opposition and Porsche protested, witch resulted in homologation regulation changes (BMW had to sell the the street-legal GTRs on more continents) so BMW withdrew.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Well the story goes back to the introduction of air restrictors that have made the M3 with inline 6 high rever uncompetitive.
So BMW replied with the M3 GTR (V8 instead of an inline 6; witch meant they had to make the ultra expensive homologation M3 GTR street-legal).
The car blew the opposition and Porsche protested, witch resulted in homologation regulation changes (BMW had to sell the the street-legal GTRs on more continents) so BMW withdrew.

I guess now they're back with a vengeance, so to speak.

[DOF_power]

Sure looks that way.
The GT2 Ferrari - Porsche battle to the finish at Sebring in 2007 was terrific.
YouTube - 12 hours of sebring 2007 gt2 last lap


Just imagine with even more teams/makes in the mix.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Sure looks that way.
The GT2 Ferrari - Porsche battle to the finish at Sebring in 2007 was terrific.
YouTube - 12 hours of sebring 2007 gt2 last lap


Just imagine with even more teams/makes in the mix.

that was quite a finish .. several times I thought the one in the lead had the race won only to see the other come back and take the lead. that's what makes racing fun: close duels at the end of the race.