On 7 March 1916 was the birth of BMW, this year is the 100th year BMW has been producing cars and bikes. As so, this post is the Top Ten BMW Race/Rally Cars from BMW's history.
This list is anything goes that does includes any Formula One cars, LMP1s, Touring cars and Superbikes. So basically 100% BMWs, starting with Number Ten:
Number 10: 2009- BMW S1000RR
Story: The BMW S1000RR is a sport bike initially made by BMW Motorrad to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship, that is now in commercial production. The BMW S1000RR uses a BMW 999 cc inline-4 engine producing 193 bhp @ 13,500 rpm. So far BMW S1000RR have took twelve World Superbike wins, nine for Marco Melandri and three for Chaz Davies.
Number 9: 2008 BMW Sauber F1.08
Story: BMW Sauber F1.08 was designed by Willy Rampf, the BMW Sauber F1.08 had the 2.4 litre BMW V8 engine underneath. The BMW Sauber F1.08 took an impressive one two finish with Robert Kubica taking the win and Nick Hiedfied finishing in second place at that seasons Canadian Grand Prix, for BMW's only Grand Prix win as a constructor. Overall, the BMW Sauber F1.08 took a race win, seven second place finishes, three third place finishes, two fastest laps, one pole position, 135 points in 2008 F1 season, took Robert Kubica to equal third in the F1 Drivers' Standings in 2008, and BMW Sauber to third place in the Constructors' Standings in 2008.
Number 8: 2003 Williams FW25
Story: Williams FW25 was designed by Patrick Head, Gavin Fisher and Antonia Terzi; the Williams FW25 had the 3 litre BMW V10 engine underneath. The Williams FW25 took Williams to second place in the 2003 F1 Constructors' Standings. The Williams FW25 won four races, two for Juan Pablo Montoya and two for Ralf Schumacher as-well.
Number 7: 2012- BMW M3 DTM/M4 DTM
Story: The BMW M3 DTM/M4 DTM was designed for DTM rules. BMW M3 DTM/M4 DTM was powered by the BMW 4 litre V8 engine underneath. So far the BMW M3 DTM/M4 DTM has won two DTM titles for Bruno Spengler in 2012 (in the M3 DTM)and for Marco Wittmann in 2014 (in the M4 DTM). Three Constructor Championships for BMW in 2012, 2013 and 2015 so far in its short DTM Career.
Number 6: 1991-2000 BMW 318i
Story: The BMW 318i was designed for Super Touring rules.
BMW 318i was powered by the BMW four cylinder 2 litre engine underneath. Overall, the BMW 318i was a dominating race car in the Super Touring era, with many championship wins from the rear-wheel drive machine.
Which includes wins in the Super Tourenwagen Cup, with three championships for Johnny Cecotto in 1994 and 1997, and then Joachim Winkelhock in 1995.
Two British Touring Car Championships for Tim Harvey in 1992, and then for Joachim Winkelhock in 1993.
Two Italian Superturismo Championships for Roberto Ravaglia in 1993, and then for Emanuele Naspetti in 1997.
Four French Supertouring Championships for Yvan Muller in 1995, and then for Eric Cayrolle in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Six Australian Super Touring Championships for Tony Longhurst in 1994, Alan Gurr in 2000, and then for Paul Morris in 1995,1997, 1999 and 2000.
One 24 Hours Nürburgring win in 1995.
Five Spa 24 Hours wins between 1994 to 1998.
Number 5: 2002-2010 BMW 320i/BMW 320si
Story: The BMW 320i/BMW 320si was designed for S2000 rules.
BMW 320i/BMW 320si was powered by the BMW four cylinder 2 litre engine underneath. Overall, the BMW 320i/BMW 320si was a dominating race car in the Super Touring era, with many championship wins from the rear-wheel drive machine.
Which includes wins in the European Touring Car Championship in 2004 for Andy Priaulx.
One British Touring Car Championship for Colin Turkington in 2009.
Three World Touring Car Championship drivers' championships for Andy Priaulx in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Three World Touring Car Manufacturers' Championships for BMW in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
And fifty-two outright wins in the World Touring Car Championship.
Number 4: 1972-79 BMW 3.0 CSL
Story: Nicknamed as the "Batmobile", the BMW 3.0 CSL was powered by the BMW six cylinder 3 litre engine underneath.
Overall, the BMW 3.0 CSL was a dominating race car in its era, with many championship wins from the rear-wheel drive machine.
Which includes six wins in the European Touring Car Championship in 1973 for Toine Hezemans, Siegfried Müller Sr. and Alain Peltier in 1975, Jean Xhenceval and Pierre Dieudonné in 1976, Dieter Quester in 1977, Umberto Grano in 1978, and then for Martino Finotto and Carlo Facetti in 1979.
One outright 24 Hour of Daytona win in 1976 with Peter Gregg, Brian Redman and John Fitzpatrick behind the wheel.
Four Spa 24 Hours wins between 1973 to 1976.
And one 24 Hours Nürburgring win in 1973 with Niki Lauda (yes, that Niki Lauda) and Hans-Peter Joisten behind the wheel.
Number 3: 1999 BMW V12 LMR
Story: Designed and developed by the Williams F1 team back in 1999. The BMW V12 LMR used a BMW 6 litre V12 engine which produces over 600 bhp. Which took, BMW to its only outright victory at Le Mans, winning the 1999 24 hours of Le Mans race with Pierluigi Martini, Yannick Dalmas and Joachim Winkelhock as drivers on that day.
Number 2: 1983 Brabham BT52
Story: Brabham BT52 was designed by Gordon Murray, the Brabham BT52 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 1.5 litre turbocharged engine underneath, which in 1983 produced about 850 bhp in qualifying, detuned to around 600 bhp for race spec. Brabham BT52 took four wins in 1983, three for Nelson Piquet and one for Riccardo Patrese. While Nelson Piquet driving the Brabham BMW BT52 took the drivers championship in 1983 and winning his second of his third F1 drivers championship. And took Brabham to third place in the Constructors' Standings that year.
Number 1: 1986-92 BMW M3
Story: The BMW M3 was designed for Group A rules.
BMW M3 was powered by the BMW four cylinder 2.3 litre engine underneath. Overall the BMW M3 was the most dominating Group A race car with many championship wins from the rear-wheel drive machine.
Which include wins in the World Touring Car Championship in 1987 with Roberto Ravaglia.
Two European Touring Car Championships for Winfried Vogt in 1988 and then for Roberto Ravaglia in 1988.
Two DTM championships for Eric van de Poele in 1987, and then for Roberto Ravaglia in 1989.
Two British Touring Car Championships for Frank Sytner in 1988, and then for Will Hoy in 1991.
Four Italian Superturismo Championships for Michele Di Gioia in 1987, Johnny Cecotto in 1989, and for Roberto Ravaglia in 1990 and 1991.
Four French Supertouring Championships for Fabien Giroix in 1987, and then for Jean-Pierre Malcher in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
1987 Australian Touring Car Championship for Jim Richards.
1993 Australian Super Touring Championship for Peter Doulmanin.
Five 24 Hours Nürburgring wins (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994).
Four Spa 24 Hours wins (1987, 1988, 1990 and 1992).
And one WRC win for Bernard Béguin at the 1987 Tour de Corse.
Basically the BMW M3 was the ultimate winning machine from BMW, and the greatest BMW Race/Rally Car ever!
Review of Round One of the 2016 TCR International Series season was at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.
In the first race, Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver Pepe Oriola took the race win in his SEAT León TCR. Second was WestCoast Racing driver Gianni Morbidelli in his Honda Civic TCR, he was over two seconds behind Oriola in the end. While, third place was Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver James Nash in his SEAT León TCR, he was three seconds behind Oriola in the end.
While in the second race, Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver Pepe Oriola once again took the race win in his SEAT León TCR. Second was Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil driver James Nash in his SEAT León TCR, he was two second behind Oriola in the end. While third place was B3 Racing Team Hungary driver Dušan Borković in his SEAT León TCR to complete a SEAT podium whitewash, he was six seconds behind Gené in the end.
Next stop Autódromo do Estoril, Estoril, Portugal for Round Two of the 2016 TCR International Series season in three weeks time.
Review of Round One of the 2016 World Touring Car Championship season was the was the Race of France, at Circuit Paul Ricard, in Southern France.
In the first race, Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Robert Huff took the race win in his Honda Civic WTCC. Second was Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Mehdi Bennani in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC and also took Independents class win, he was two seconds behind Huff in the end. While third place was Honda Racing Team JAS driver Norbert Michelisz in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was seven seconds behind Huff in the end.
While in the second race, Citroën Total WTCC driver and current WTCC Champion José María López took the race win in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. Second was Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team driver Tiago Monteiro in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was three tenths of a second behind López in the end. While third was Honda Racing Team JAS driver Norbert Michelisz in his Honda Civic WTCC, he was three seconds behind López in the end.
Meanwhile in the Independent Class, was won by Sébastien Loeb Racing driver Mehdi Bennani in his Citroën C-Elysée WTCC. He finished in eighth place overall and twenty-two seconds behind López in the end.
Next stop Race of Slovakia at Automotodróm Slovakia Ring for Round Two of the 2016 World Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
Review of Round One of the 2016 British Touring Car Championship season was at Brands Hatch's Indy Circuit, in Kent.
In the first race, Speedworks Motorsport driver Tom Ingram took the race win in his Toyota Avensis and also took Independents class win. Second was Halfords Yuasa Racing driver and current BTCC Champion Gordon Shedden in his Honda Civic Type R, he was two second behind Ingram in the end. While third place was Halfords Yuasa Racing driver Matt Neal in his Honda Civic Type R, he was four seconds behind Ingram in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy (for top 'Rookie Driver' in the series) was won by MG Racing RCIB Insurance driver Ashley Sutton in his MG6 GT, he finished in fourth place and was six seconds behind Ingram in the end.
Meanwhile in the second race, Halfords Yuasa Racing driver and current BTCC Champion Gordon Shedden took the race win in his Honda Civic Type R. Second was Halfords Yuasa Racing driver Matt Neal in his Honda Civic Type R, he was eight tenths of a second behind Shedden in the end. While third place was Team BKR driver Árón Smith in his Volkswagen CC and also took Independents class win, he was three seconds behind Shedden in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by MG Racing RCIB Insurance driver Ashley Sutton in his MG6 GT, he finished in sixth place and was nine seconds behind Shedden in the end.
Finally in the third race, WIX Racing driver Adam Morgan took the race win in his Mercedes-Benz A-Class and also took Independents class win. Second was Team JCT600 with GardX driver Sam Tordoff in his BMW 125i M Sport, he was a tenth of a second behind Morgan in the end. While third place was Team IHG Rewards Club driver Jack Goff in his BMW 125i M Sport, he was half a second behind Morgan in the end.
While, Jack Sears Trophy was won by MG Racing RCIB Insurance driver Ashley Sutton in his MG6 GT, he finished in tenth place and was eleven seconds behind Morgan in the end.
Next stop Donington Park for Round Two of the 2016 British Touring Car Championship season in two weeks time.
Review of the second round of the 2016 MotoGP season at Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero in North Argentina.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that was won by Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V. Second was Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi on his works Yamaha YZR-M1, he was eight seconds behind Márquez at the end. While, third was the other Repsol Honda Team rider Marc Márquez on his works Honda RC213V, he was over twenty-eight seconds behind Márquez at the end of the race.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Ajo Motorsport rider and current Moto2 champion Johann Zarco on the Kalex. Second was Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider Sam Lowes on the Kalex, he was over a second behind Zarco at the end. While, third was Dynavolt Intact GP rider Jonas Folger on the Kalex, he was three seconds behind Zarco at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), on a drying track that race was won by Honda Team Asia rider Khairul Idham Pawi on the Honda and the first ever by a Malaysian, in only his third Moto3 race! Second was Estrella Galicia rider Jorge Navarro on the Honda, he was twenty-six seconds behind Idham Pawi at the end. While, third was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder on the KTM, he was thirty seconds behind Idham Pawi at the end of the race.
Review of Round Six of the 2015-16 Formula E season held at the shorter version of the Long Beach Street Circuit in Long Beach, California, U.S.A.
The race was won by ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi in his Spark-Abt Sportsline for his second race win of the year. Second was Venturi Formula E Team driver Stéphane Sarrazin in his Spark-Venturi, he was a eight tenths of a second behind di Grassi in the end. Meanwhile, third was ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Daniel Abt in his Spark-Abt Sportsline, he was two seconds behind di Grassi in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Seven of the 2015-16 Formula E season on the Paris Street Circuit for the Paris ePrix in three weeks time.
Review of the second round of the 2016 F1 season at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Despite the new knock-out qualifying format is still a complete flop and quite boring, while the race itself was enjoyable and entertaining race to watch.
A race that both current F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and former F1 champion Sebastian Vettel want to forget and out of their own control. Vettel didn't started the race with an engine blow out on the formation lap, a first for Ferrari in twenty years. While, Hamilton bogged down at the start but was second into turn one before he was T-boned by Valtteri Bottas and finished the first lap in ninth. Which means Nico Rosberg took the advantage at the start and took the lead, stayed there with most of the laps leading, fastest lap as-well to conclude with a race win in this seasons Bahrain Grand Prix for Nico Rosberg's second race win of the season and his fifth race win in a row since last seasons Mexican Grand Prix.
While, Kimi Räikkönen finished second place in the Ferrari to give his first podium of the season, Raikkonen was ten seconds behind Rosberg at the end.
Meanwhile, Rosberg's team-mate and current F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in third place in the other Mercedes to complete the podium, Hamilton was thirty seconds behind Rosberg at the end of the fifty-seven lap race.
Finally, a quick mention to Stoffel Vandoorne in the McLaren finishing tenth place in his début race, he was confirmed to drive the McLaren days before the race after Fernando Alonso was ruled out from his Australian Grand Prix crash. Vandoorne becomes the first Belgium to score points in F1 since Thierry Boutsen did it since the 1992 Australian Grand Prix. Vandoorne was lap behind Rosberg at the end.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 8
Lewis Hamilton - 7 (pole, finished third)
Nico Rosberg - 9 (race win, fastest lap)
Ferrari - 7
Sebastian Vettel - 7 (DNS, Engine)
Kimi Räikkönen - 8 (finished second)
Williams - 5
Valtteri Bottas - 5 (finished ninth, lap down)
Felipe Massa - 6 (finished eighth, lap down)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished fourth)
Daniil Kvyat - 7 (finished seventh, lap down)
Force India - 4
Nico Hülkenberg - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Sergio Pérez - 4 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Renault - 4
Kevin Magnussen - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Jolyon Palmer - 3 (DNS, Hydraulics)
Toro Rosso - 6
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 5 (DNF, Collision Damage)
Max Verstappen - 8 (finished sixth)
Sauber - 5
Marcus Ericsson - 6 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Felipe Nasr - 4 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
McLaren - 7
Stoffel Vandoorne - 9 (finished tenth, lap down)
Jenson Button - 6 (DNF, Power Unit)
Manor - 7
Rio Haryanto - 6 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Pascal Wehrlein - 8 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
