BMW - Le Mans

[nopanic - neil]

Simple question, as I'm to lazy to search the internet.

Has BMW ever entered Le Mans - a) as manufacture or b) as a private/seperate team?


Also asked as I know very very little about Le Mans anyway, come I only being going since 1998.

[Lawnmower Man]

Ye sthere were several BMW cars in the 80s.

If you need more info I'll look out the programs.

T.

[Canada Phil]

Simple question, as I'm to lazy to search the internet.

Has BMW ever entered Le Mans - a) as manufacture or b) as a private/seperate team?


Also asked as I know very very little about Le Mans anyway, come I only being going since 1998.

Hi Neil,
         How about 1999. Flying Mercedes and Japanese driven Toyota might have been the highlights but BMW in front.
Canada Phil

[Steve Pyro]

They won the race in 1999.  Really Neil, you need to take more notice of what goes on!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_V12_LMR

[Nordic]

BMW CSL (Batmobiles) were entered by factory teams in the mid 70's

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1976/Le_Mans-1976-06-13-041.jpg (Image from RSC)

A couple of which will be running again in the classic.

The BMW M1, one of the best sounding cars was a mainstay of Grp B in the 80s
http://rupert8766.fotopic.net/p2767289.html

In addition to the BMW LMR V12 the power for the McLaren F1 came from BMW and the BMW factory helped run the Fina cars.

[Robbo SPS]

I thought they also had a 675 class car in 2000..... Cant find the books now, but fairly sure. The chef loved the sound.

[termietermite]

If you use this search facility on the ACO site, it gives you a list of all the BMWs entered since the race's inception (runs to four pages.)
http://www.lemans.org/24heuresdumans/pages/retro_historique_gb.html

[termietermite]

I thought they also had a 675 class car in 2000..... Cant find the books now, but fairly sure. The chef loved the sound.

From the search mentioned above:

24 Heures 2000 - Circuit : 13.605 km   

BMW V12 LM  N°15 Thomas Bscher Promotions

Technic :
Class : LMP 900
Weight : 948 kg
Engine : V12 BMW 5990 cm3
Tyres : Goodyear


Drivers :
Thomas Bscher   
Jean Marc Gounon   
Geoff Lees     


No picture available

Results :
Race : Retirement :
Distance : 2448,9 km - 180 lap(s)
Boite de vitesses  Qualifying : 21th
Time : 3'47"493
Average speed : 215,295 km/h




 

[Robbo SPS]

nearly right.... it was a 900 not 675  or so they were called then.

[Kev_mk3]

They won the race in 1999.  Really Neil, you need to take more notice of what goes on!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_V12_LMR

i was going to say they have won within the last 10 years