BMW V12 LMR: The 24 hours of Le Mans Victory

Can BMW repeat their monumental win like they did in 1999? We will have to wait and see.

The #15 on their M Hybrid V8 in this years race was given this racing number as a tribute to the 1999 winner seen above.

When the BMW V12 LMR arrived at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June 1999, it faced fierce competition. BMW entered two V12 LMRs in the race, with one driven by the formidable trio of Yannick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini, and Joachim Winkelhock. The second car, driven by Jörg Müller, Tom Kristensen, and JJ Lehto, was equally strong but would face challenges.

As the race unfolded, the V12 LMR demonstrated not just speed but remarkable reliability. The car driven by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock maintained a relentless pace, handling the rigors of Le Mans with impressive consistency. Meanwhile, the second car encountered mechanical issues, highlighting the unpredictable nature of endurance racing.

After 24 hours of intense racing, the BMW V12 LMR piloted by Dalmas, Martini, and Winkelhock emerged victorious, completing 366 laps. This triumph marked BMW’s first overall victory at Le Mans, a monumental achievement that underscored the V12 LMR’s exceptional design and performance.

BMW E36 V12 Turbo: Ultimate Showstopper

At Bimmerfest 2024, there was one car that genuinely took my breath away. While there were plenty of stunning vehicles on display, nothing quite like this BMW E36 had ever crossed my path. This car is the perfect showcase of what can be achieved when passion meets craftsmanship. Built by Unlimited Auto in Weiden, Germany, it’s a marvel that demonstrates their unparalleled expertise.

Under the hood lies an M70 engine that definitely didn’t came as standard on the E36. The M70 was BMW’s first production V12, which was produced from 1987 to 1996 and could be found in the E32 750iL for example. As if that weren’t impressive enough, they’ve added not one, but two turbochargers. The result is a mechanical masterpiece that blends power and precision.

I had a brief chat with the owner, who proudly shared that a recent test saw the car producing a staggering 1012 horsepower and 1182 Nm of torque. The challenge now is getting these insane figures onto the road, as even in third gear, it creates white smoke from the 305 wide rear tires. The next step, he mentioned, is to equip the car with slick tires to better harness its immense power.

Close Encounter with the Kremer Porsche 935 K3

With the upcoming 24hrs of Le Mans that starts on the 15th of June I was thinking about this Kremer K3. I’ve had the privilege of examining different Kremer Porsche 935 K3 up close many times. But never quite like this. During the “International Club Day of Porsche Friends” in Dinslaken, Kremer Racing had their own stand, and this car was the highlight of the day. As visitors, we were even lucky enough to hear the engine roar to life, experiencing it in all its glory.

The K3 Porsches come in many forms and variants, making it tough to judge a K3 purely by its appearance. Thankfully, as photographers, we often have a cheat sheet by the car with all the essential details. Unfortunately, Kremer was brief in this case, so I can’t confirm what kind of racing history this particular car has.

What I do know is that this is a Porsche 935 K3/80. The number 80 corresponds to the specifications of that year—1980, in this case. Each year, the Group 5 regulations were reviewed and adjusted as necessary. The yearly adjustment of the regulations meant that Kremer Racing had to modify their cars every season to stay competitive. This constant evolution was a hallmark of their engineering prowess. The relentless pursuit of perfection kept Kremer Racing at the forefront of motorsport, adapting and innovating to meet the ever-changing demands of the racing world.

A Vision in Mint Green: BMW M3 G81 Touring

If you could choose, which BMW Individual color would you order for your new BMW?

JP Kraemer had a clear vision for his BMW M3 G81 Touring, and he opted for a striking mint green. On his YouTube channel, you can follow the journey from the grand unveiling at BMW Welt to the present day. If have seen all the videos but this was my first encounter with the car in the flesh.

The car was parked right in front of JP Performance’s headquarters in Dortmund, about a two-hour drive from where I live. I was visiting the Pace Museum, also founded by JP Kraemer, but more on that later. After my museum visit, I decided to check out the Big Boost Burger restaurant, situated just across from the headquarters. And there it was, the BMW M3 Touring, demanding attention.

Perhaps the most extraordinary feature isn’t even the mint green exterior but rather the entirely purple interior. This bespoke upholstery job was executed by Zettl, a company renowned for its expertise in re-upholstering car interiors to such a high standard that major automakers seek them out for custom interiors.

A Surprise Encounter with a Mercedes W114

At a recent Porsche event in Dinslaken, Germany, my attention was unexpectedly captured by a Mercedes-Benz parked in the outside parkinglot. I’ll be honest: I often struggle to identify these models at a glance. Fortunately, the license plate offered a helpful clue with “W114,” indicating this car’s model year from 1968 till 1976 also known as the “Strich-Acht” in German (slash eight). The “/8” designation refers to its introduction year, 1968. It also indicates this as a car with a six-cylinder engine, because the W115 version had 4 cylinder engines.

This particular model is the Coupé version, instantly recognizable by its absence of a B-pillar, giving it a sleek and elegant profile. But this wasn’t just any W114 Coupé. Equipped with air ride suspension and custom wheels, it made an unforgettable impression, evidenced by the crowd gathered around it in the parking lot.

The combination of classic design and modern modifications transformed this Mercedes-Benz into a show-stopper, blending timeless style with contemporary flair. It’s a perfect example of how classic cars can be reimagined to capture the attention and admiration of enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Owner; Mr. Robson

BMW 3.0 CSL: Lightweight Legend of Racing

The BMW 3.0 CSL is undoubtedly a legendary race car, but what exactly makes it so legendary? During a recent visit to the Pace Museum earlier this year, I came face to face with this iconic BMW. But more on the Pace Museum in another post – I’ll be revisiting soon, as they’ve refreshed their collection once again.

For many, this car is known as the Batmobile. The BMW 3.0 CSL earned this moniker thanks to its distinctive aerodynamic features, including large spoilers and air dams, designed to enhance high-speed stability. Its aggressive styling and imposing rear wing give it a futuristic, Batmobile-like appearance that’s hard to forget.

Originally developed as a homologation special to allow BMW to compete in the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), the 3.0 CSL quickly proved its mettle on the track. One particular car, the car you see here on the photos, made history in 1973 when it won the Nürburgring 6 hours with drivers Chris Amon and Hans-Joachim Stuck behind the wheel according to Group 2 regulations.

The Birth of a Legend – BMW M3 EVO

Developed directly from the crucible of motorsport, the BMW M3 was a groundbreaking marvel. When it made its debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in 1985, it didn’t just turn heads; it set the automotive world alight. This was more than just a car; it was the genesis of an icon in the BMW M lineup, a machine destined to dominate both the streets and the racetrack.

The vision behind the original BMW M3 was deceptively simple yet profoundly ambitious: to create a racing sedan that was equally at home on public roads. What nobody could predict was just how phenomenally successful the M3 would become. It was a game-changer, blending everyday usability with the ferocious spirit of a track-bred thoroughbred.

The Distinctive Charm Of The VW Golf Mk3

The Golf Mk3 is a staple at every VAG meeting, known for its affordability and endless customization possibilities. Thomas Visch’s Mk3 stands out as a classic example of how it should be done. Thomas and I go way back, over 12 years, to when I first spotted his Golf Mk3 at the Midwinter Meeting of Team VW Speed in 2012 that I featured on Speedhunters. His love for the Mk3 was evident even then. At Royal Fitment, I saw his latest project and knew it was time for a closer look.

Imported from Germany, this Mk3 started as a VR6 Highline with a purple leather interior. However, Thomas can’t leave anything standard for long. One of the first changes was a new set of wheels. The Porsche Eta Beta wheels, a familiar sight on a Golf, measure 8×17” and are wrapped in 185/35/17 Nankang tires. For braking, a set from a Golf Mk4 R32 with 340mm discs was installed at the front, while the rear brakes remain original from the VR6.

What I admire most about this project is the choice of coilovers. The car rides at the height you see here, thanks to an H&R Deep coilover set, which allows the car to sit lower than standard options on the market.