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1 Feb 2004, 21:11 (Ref:859459) | #1 | |
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BMW in Sportscars?
Looking at BMWs forthcoming models there are a few cars there with the potential for GT racing.
The 4 series coupe is an M3 based Coupe with a V8 engine. Could be a potential 'genuine' M3 GT-R V8 replacement. Or how about the new M5/M6 with V10 power. BMW have said they would like to continue in sportscars (ALMS/LMES), but do not have a suitable, legal, car at the moment. The fact that they are entering Spa and the Nurburgring gives me hope BMW will return in the next year or two. |
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1 Feb 2004, 23:59 (Ref:859581) | #2 | ||
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I'd rather see them build a prototype. But I can live with the idea of an M6 pounding round the tracks.
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Interviewer: "Will the McLaren F1 be your answer to the Ferrari F40?" Gordon Murray: "Hmm... I don't think we have anyone at McLaren who can weld that badly..." |
2 Feb 2004, 00:26 (Ref:859599) | #3 | ||
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Personally Id love to see BMW return, but with a GTS/GT class car rather than a LMP, and the chances of them coming back with a GTS/GT class machine appear to be most likely at the moment, would add some welcome spice to the GT class.
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Sportscar Racing fans of the world Unite! |
2 Feb 2004, 00:43 (Ref:859609) | #4 | ||
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The M6 is a no go for racing. Apparently BMW M division already said it was unfit for racing. :confused: It looks like the M3 and M4 will be the next contenders. The M5 is just too big/heavy/etc to run a program with.
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2 Feb 2004, 12:04 (Ref:859972) | #5 | ||
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Surely the M6 could be made into a useful GTS contender? Nice big V8, two doors, lovely.
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Interviewer: "Will the McLaren F1 be your answer to the Ferrari F40?" Gordon Murray: "Hmm... I don't think we have anyone at McLaren who can weld that badly..." |
2 Feb 2004, 12:24 (Ref:860000) | #6 | |
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I think the appeal of gt and GTS classes mean that we will see LMP take some time to flourish. Ill probably get barred from the forum for saying this but:-
I WOULDNT MIND IF THEY BROUGHT THE m3 gtr BACK!!! (It might not strictly be gt but it did look sexy) |
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2 Feb 2004, 13:17 (Ref:860072) | #7 | ||
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Mopar - you're barred. (Talk about asking for it.......!)
(Only joking, of course....perhaps....maybe....) |
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280 days...... |
2 Feb 2004, 13:43 (Ref:860102) | #8 | |
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ayse, force him to watch "john clelands btcc highlights of 1996" video till he realises whats acceptable and whats not.
as crocodile dundee once sort of said "thats not sexy...this is sexy!" |
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I want you to drive flat out |
2 Feb 2004, 13:56 (Ref:860114) | #9 | ||
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Very nice picture, one of your own?
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Oops |
2 Feb 2004, 13:59 (Ref:860120) | #10 | ||
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Yes, the beast is really "sexy" ! And its sound was too !
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2 Feb 2004, 14:09 (Ref:860129) | #11 | ||
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I would rather see a LMP from BMW than a M3 or M4, which, in my opinion, are not Gts. Maybe they follow the rules, but they don't have the spirit.
Just the two cents of a foolish idealist |
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2 Feb 2004, 14:11 (Ref:860133) | #12 | |||
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Quote:
Looking at the present interest in SPEED World Challenge by Cadillac, Volvo, and even Mercedes-Benz (with the C-class in the Touring Car, and maybe the E-class sedan with AMG modifications), BMW just might decide to join the fray with their 5-series. This is a perfect opportunity to put their best selling product to the test with many of their contemporaries in that market. With a proper team to do the job (PTG and Turner spring to mind), this could be a major racing & PR coup. what's not to like?... |
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Here's to the new age of Sports car/Prototypes... |
2 Feb 2004, 16:19 (Ref:860249) | #13 | ||
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Quote:
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I want you to drive flat out |
2 Feb 2004, 16:44 (Ref:860264) | #14 | ||
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The suggestions are that at present, BMW, and particularly BMW NA and PTG have no interest whatsoever in racing with the ACO. They still harbour resentment for their perceived treatment over the M3 GTR and the past restrictions on the 3.2 I6.
Further, PTG left SWC on not happy terms with respect to their tinkering with the rules. So, that basically leaves PTG with GARRA for now, though I'm not sure exactly what will happen if the rules aren't to their liking there? I'd love to see BMW and PTG back in top level Sportscar racing though. LMP or GT... You would think that the I6 might make a decent LMP2 engine wouldn't you? Then again, you would wonder about the Porsche engine for the same purpose. Last edited by Fogelhund; 2 Feb 2004 at 16:46. |
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2 Feb 2004, 19:08 (Ref:860406) | #15 | ||
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BMW should take a look at those M5 powerd M3s that have raced in grandam. They could easily make lots of those and sell them all and have a car that could beat Porsche.
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2 Feb 2004, 20:30 (Ref:860577) | #16 | |||
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Quote:
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Interviewer: "Will the McLaren F1 be your answer to the Ferrari F40?" Gordon Murray: "Hmm... I don't think we have anyone at McLaren who can weld that badly..." |
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