An in-depth look at the BMW M3 GT2

[Gingers4Justice]

Originally Posted by rich07

Thanks. Well if this comes to fruition, then we shall have BMW in GT2 on both sides of the Atlantic, bravo!

And then the argument of whether is BMW is good to race in Europe or not, for 2010 atleast.

That whole saga really confused me. Autosport was still printing that the BMW could not race in Europe in September, quoting both Stephane Ratel, yet there were several other articles from reliable sources suggesting the contrary. It's safe to say the ACO, FIA and BMW had us all well and truly left in the dark.

[Félix]

I understood the EI article as a reference to Porsche, unless he raced BMWs at some point. If he was considering the M3s, he would certainly be taking a good look at the C6 GT2... to me both are way too expensive. There are certainly Dunlop tires developed for the Porsche...

I was reading the Racecar Engineering article on the Vantage GT2... sounds like it was developed for a completely different class when compared to the M3 and the other new ALMS specials. The homologation was full of compromises (dispensation for a hood air outlet and other modifications outside of the spirit of the rules) whilst the other GT2 manufacturers seem to be going all out, moving components and punching holes everywhere. Unfortunatley, in sportscar racing, this state of things leads to implosion 2-3 years down the line...

[cmk]

Dunlop has been confirmed as an official partner, in name if not funding, for BMW next year. It was pretty obviously referencing BMW anyway, but that seals it, no?

Dunlop is less favourable on a Porsche than just about every other GT2 out there...

[ubrben]

Originally Posted by cmk

Dunlop is less favourable on a Porsche than just about every other GT2 out there...

And when did you last ask Porsche about that...? ;-)

Ben

[Svierge]

Originally Posted by ubrben

And when did you last ask Porsche about that...? ;-)

Ben

Indeed. Nudge, wink, say no more etc.

[HORNDAWG]

Hmm, seems the Schnitzer as a second ALMS 2 car team rumor, is gaining a little momentum.



L.P.

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, seems the Schnitzer as a second ALMS 2 car team rumor, is gaining a little momentum.



L.P.

is that based on this article by Pat Long that I just read too?

[Satorian]

That and the Bear picking up on it.

[Speed-King]

Straight from the horse's mouth, this should resolve all discussions about the differences between the ALMS car and the LMS-car:

Originally Posted by Charly Lamm

"Ursprunglich wurden die GT2 ja für die ALMS entworfen und konnten dort mit einigen Waivern in der GT2-Klasse homologiert werden. Dadurch wurde es möglich das die Wagen prinzipiell erst mal erstellt wurden und dann mit Rennerfahrung aus den Staaten versehen auch hier in Europa eingesetzt werden können. Die Autos für die 24h am Nürburgring entsprechen den ALMS-Wagen, wobei lediglich das bei den 24h zusätzlich erlaubte ABS hier als Änderung hinzu kam. Als man den Entschluss fasste auch in der Le Mans Serie und beim 24 Stunden Rennen von Le Mans anzutreten, hat der ACO BMW signalisiert das man eine striktere Auslegung des GT2-Reglements bevorzugen würde. Also wurde die Hinterachse in den LMS-Autos seriennah ausgelegt was quasi zur Folge hat das das Heck dieser Autos sich ab der Rücksitzwanne komplett von den ALMS-Autos unterscheidet. Wir haben jetzt nur noch 3 Waiver die die Vorderachse, das Transaxle-Getriebe und das elektronische Gaspedal betreffen. Letzteres ist aber auch in der Serie verbaut und da dies nun schon eine Reihe von potentiellen Herstellern betrifft denkt der ACO darüber nach dies im GT2-Reglement generell zu ändern.“

Translation:

Originally, the car was designed for the ALMS and we were able to have it homologated for GT2 with several waivers [for North America]. This made it possible [for us] to built the cars in the first place and to utilize the experience gained by racing in the US to compete in Europe. The cars for the 24 hours at the Nürburgring are [almost] identical to the ALMS-cars, the ABS-system, that is allowed in the 24 hour race was the only modification. When we decided to race in the 24 hours of Le Mans and the Le Mans Series the ACO signaled us that they'd prefer a more-to-the-letter interpretation of the GT2 rules. Thus, the rear axle on the LMS-cars is close to production specs and as a result the portion of the car behind [where] the rear seats [would be] is completely different from the ALMS-car. We have only three waivers now, namely for the front axle, the transaxle-gearbox and the electronic throttle. The latter can, however, also be found in the production car and since this has already been an issue for a number of potential manufacturers, the ACO is considering to change that part of the GT2 rules altogether.

[prototype]

I have linked to the photos of the two BMWs to point out the differences.

ALMS Version: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3428/...d7edf12827.jpg

LMS Version: http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...BMW_Ricard.jpg

The way the Schnitzer car's fenders just truncate at the bottom behind the wheels seems very rudamentary to me compared to the sleeker ALMS car.

[aiwa]

Very interesting and great shots.

Note the one piece rear wheel arch/ rear quarter on the ALMS version. What is it constructed from steel or carbon? The LMS car shows break where original steel shell has a plastic/carbon wheel arch extension added. Correct me if I am wrong but the rules state that the wheel protruding from the shell must be covered completely to height of wheel centre.

Why no cooling ducts on the LMS car though guess the whole of centre section acts as duct. And it appears - or is it angle of photo to have a flatter floor. I would also suggest that ALMS car has wider track or body section narrower!!

[gwyllion]

I believe that BMW had the original suspension pickup points at the rear for the ACO GT2 version. In the ALMS GT2S version the suspension is completely free. Hence perhaps the wider track.