New BMW M3 in GT class?

[tblincoe]

to take a break from all of this lemans madness, there have been interesting discussions on the alms fan forums about the introduction of a v8 BMW M3 in the 2005 model year and whether this will mark the return of the M3 to major competition in 2005 or 2006.

the first obvious application of the new M3 would be in the alms with the PTG team but there are questions of tom milner's lingering dissapointment with the ALMS. would BMW consider making a factory race ready M3 in the same fashion as Porsche makes the 911-RSR series of vehicles? and would this car be eligible to race in the FIA GT series? maybe schnitzer in the FIA GT?

[FIRE]

I don't think BMW will enter factory cars in FIA GT, they concentrate on ETCC.

[Aysedasi]

Oh God.............

I am definitely not going to comment on this......

Dreams and nightmares, boys and girls.......

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by FIRE
I don't think BMW will enter factory cars in FIA GT, they concentrate on ETCC.

Absolutely right. Just where they should concentrate.

Damn, sod it, bugger..... I just commented......

[tblincoe]

although i agree with your points, from a marketing standpoint i would think BMW would want to take the 911 head-on as a natural competitor to a V8 3 series would be the 911, although i doubt BMW will mass produce a GT class M3, i do think we might see this car make a come back in the ALMS

[Aysedasi]

Originally posted by tblincoe
.....although i doubt BMW will mass produce a GT class M3

Phew, I've stopped hyperventilating now.....

[Patrick B]

I think and hope PTG will stay where they are. In the Rolex series taking on the Trofeo, GT3RS, Acura NSX, C5's, GTO(soon), Modena etc...

[paul-collins]

Pat, I doubt that a V8 M3 would be legal in GA, considering
1) the whole reason for upgrading the engine is to be competitive with the RSR
2) the RSR isn't legal in GAGT and
3) next year there will be no GT in GA anyway, as the GTs will be pushed back into SGS.

It seems to me that the RSR is the only reason for BMW making an M3-V8. I don't see how they won't be in the ALMS next year.

[tblincoe]

that was my thinking paul, i totally agree

[Patrick B]

I havn't heard that PTG has any plans on running a V-8 M3(or M4). I expect them to stay with the I6 in the GA or SWC series.

[tblincoe]

well they wouldnt have announced anything yet, and they wont be able to race in GA after this year as the GT class is being axed next year

[Patrick B]

The GT class isn't being axed. Just merged with the SGS class.

[paul-collins]

Merged as in slowed down? And you expect BMW to replace their currently dominant I6 with an even more powerful V8?

[GTRMagic]

I am just sad that the BMWs wont be coming to the Bathurst 24hr now that the promoter has pulled out of running it

[dscwall]

I'm led to believe courtesy of DSC that the factory M3s will appear at the Spa 24 Hour race, which is a round of the FIA GT Championship.

They have entered in the National GT class.

[FIRE]

Originally posted by dscwall
I'm led to believe courtesy of DSC that the factory M3s will appear at the Spa 24 Hour race, which is a round of the FIA GT Championship.

They have entered in the National GT class.

Correct, they enter 2 factory Schitzer BMW's.

[sportscarsRULE]

Originally posted by Patrick B
I havn't heard that PTG has any plans on running a V-8 M3(or M4). I expect them to stay with the I6 in the GA or SWC series.

Don't expect Milner to go SWC anytime soon. Maybe you meant he will use one of the world challenge cars(if he hasn't sold all of them already) in the new watered-down GT class.

[therealdeal]

mr milner has sold all 4 swc m3's theres 3 teams running them this year i think 1 team has 2 and the other teams have 1 a peice in swc