September 22, 2009

BMW V12 LM and LMR

A little history

Though the association of BMW and Williams’ names is more reminiscent of Formula One than endurance racing, the two companies’ cooperation indeed started with the construction of a sportscar. It was called the V12 LM – the combination of a Williams chassis and a BMW engine, a 6.0-litre similar to the blocks that had powered the McLaren GTs. BMW wouldn’t run its own cars, delegating this task to Schnitzer instead. Poor reliability due to deficient engineering and imperfect aerodynamics caused a rout during the LM’s only race, the 1998 Le Mans 24 Hours. BMW immediately abandoned the car, deciding the return only when an improved machine would be ready.

This new car appeared for 1999, as the V12 LMR. After a successful outing at Sebring, the Schnitzer team concentrated on Le Mans. This time, BMW was victorious, its very first win in the Sarthe as a constructor despite its long history.

In 2000, BMW’s involvement in Formula One as an engine manufacturer brought the Bavarian company to scale down its endurance racing’s program. Its efforts were limited to the American Le Mans Series, where the LMR now faced an implacable opponent: the new Audi R8. At the end of a meagre season, the BMW spyders were retired for good.

(This car’s history will be expanded in due time, please be patient.)

About the model

Model: BMW V12 LMR
Year: 1999
Event: 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Joachim Winkelhock, Pierluigi Martini and Yannick Dalmas (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.29 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France

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6 comments:

interdomin said...

I have one but in 1:18. It´s the first I bought. I like it.

lorenzo721 said...

Is that the Maisto one?

interdomin said...

Yes: Maisto. Someday I will write about this car. Le Mans prototypes are the most beautiful of the world.

lorenzo721 said...

I'm not sure to have seen it in real, but from pictures that seems to be a very nice model. I'm looking forward to read about it on your blog. ;)

interdomin said...

I saw this car in Cheste (Valencia)http://www.circuitvalencia.com/

It was "Formula BMW" and the drivers were Heidfeld, Kubica, Glock and Vettel. The two last were tester drivers of BMW Sauber F1 Team.

They drove this car, one F1, one BMW M3 GTR (Le Mans Series) and a BMW 320 WTCC. Another driver was Andy Priaulx.

lorenzo721 said...

Certainly nice to attend!