BMW not to enter American Le mans Series
- Thread starter askia47
- 13 comments
- 729 views
- 80
What rules couldn't they meet? BMW is my second favorite manufactorer. (My first favorite is Japan.)
Nexus Maelstrom
Nexus Maelstrom
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Originally posted by askia47
Due to stricter rules this year, BMW will not participate in this years American Le Mans series. This is horrible for me and i hope they return in 2003...
What?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
- 133
The V8 they use in the racecar isn't in enough production vehicles.
- 497
Well the coles notes is that the ACO decided that they were going to put controls in to ensure that the GT ranks did not produce 'prototypes'. The ACO felt that 'GT' was getting beyond what it should be, and implemented rules to stop this.
There are those who will suggest that Porsche complained, and while they surely did, I think that many give Porsche more credit than they deserve in changing the ACO policy.
While it is disappointing to lose a quality entrant such as BMW, going forward I think that these rules give more stability to these classes.
Basically, BMW would have had to produce 100 cars to receive no penalties. The cars have to be as with original block, in original location, and orientation. The BMW M3 GTR had a V8, and there has been no production road cars of this type. I understand that the car was originally allowed to race under a verbal promise that there would be production cars within the year. As of yet, no cars produced.
By the way IMSA/ALMS run under ACO (LeMans) rules. The rules for LeMans and the ALMS are the same.
There are those who will suggest that Porsche complained, and while they surely did, I think that many give Porsche more credit than they deserve in changing the ACO policy.
While it is disappointing to lose a quality entrant such as BMW, going forward I think that these rules give more stability to these classes.
Basically, BMW would have had to produce 100 cars to receive no penalties. The cars have to be as with original block, in original location, and orientation. The BMW M3 GTR had a V8, and there has been no production road cars of this type. I understand that the car was originally allowed to race under a verbal promise that there would be production cars within the year. As of yet, no cars produced.
By the way IMSA/ALMS run under ACO (LeMans) rules. The rules for LeMans and the ALMS are the same.
GilesGuthrie
Staff Emeritus
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- Edinburgh, UK
- CMDRTheDarkLord
Realistically, this is the only correct thing to happen. BMW were abusing the discretionary powers that the ALMS rules gave, so the rulemakers tightened up the rules. BMW took an educated decision about whether it was better for them to try to race on, or to leave. They chose to leave.
It's a shame, because it was a great looking car, and BMW are always so professional whenever they race, so it is a loss to the series, and that makes it a very tough decision for the organisers to have made.
But rules is rules!
It's a shame, because it was a great looking car, and BMW are always so professional whenever they race, so it is a loss to the series, and that makes it a very tough decision for the organisers to have made.
But rules is rules!
- 4,508
Do you guys know why they are not entering Le Mans this year??? its very easy, its because they put the M5 engine in the new E46 Race Car. They started winning every race...for example they raced and there were 5 bimmers and they won in this order.
1.BMW
2.BMW
3.BMW, ETC.
So, Porsche and Audi complained to the people who control their race and they said that they should take a break and come back in a year or two
1.BMW
2.BMW
3.BMW, ETC.
So, Porsche and Audi complained to the people who control their race and they said that they should take a break and come back in a year or two
