Why NO BMW's at 2012 Le mans this year?

[Kayani_1]

I was so looking forward to this race. I can't seem to understand why BMW would not send at least the BMW M3 GT-R's from last year to Le mans. This year not a single BMW is going will be running at 24 hours of Le mans.

What a disappointment such a historic and legendary race and no BMW taking part. What is wrong with you guys at BMW Motorsport

[mdosu]

you sure? The Rahal Letterman team won ALMS manufactures title in GT last year and the 12 Hrs Sebring, those are automatic qualifiers into the 24 Hr LeMans field.

[phrozen06]

I thought there were some non works bmw enteries.

[DataStream18]

To much focus on DTM maybe?

[the///Mthree]

Originally Posted by DataStream18

To much focus on DTM maybe?

Exactly, I believe BMW said they would not be doing Le Man when they announced the return to DTM.

[Kayani_1]

Yeah I thought that at least they would send the M3 GT-R they had such success last year. But I guess BMW has lost its mind. Once again Ferrari, Chevy, and Porsche will be there while BMW guys will be watching from the side lines

Originally Posted by mdosu

you sure? The Rahal Letterman team won ALMS manufactures title in GT last year and the 12 Hrs Sebring, those are automatic qualifiers into the 24 Hr LeMans field.

[M3_WC]

This kinda has been talked about in a couple different threads.

BMW gave no press release or reason why they are not showing up to Le Mans. Even though they had an automatic invite. Only explanation is they have too many resources dedicated to DTM.

With production of the E9x coming to an end, they seem to be winding down their Le Mans program. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last year for the E92 in ALMS. They will not be able to race the next gen turbo M3 in ALMS or at Le Mans because of regulations.

[the///Mthree]

"FIA’s new World Endurance Championship – a series in which BMW will unfortunately not be participating in given their effort to mount an entry back into DTM – hence no BMW entry to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans."

[Andrew_K_AZ]

Doesn't make much sense to me. Ultimately BMW's success is determined by selling cars and their Motorsport investment should support that goal. DTM investment maybe good for the German domestic market and perhaps the wider European but F1 and 24-Hours at Le Mans have significantly higher visibility and appeal in the international arena. At least they haven't exited ALMS. Yet.

[Kayani_1]

At least for this year it makes no utter sense. They have very competitive M3 GT-R cars just sitting and a group of great drivers that work for BMW banner.

Yet instead of going out there competing and winning they choose to quit.

ALMS needs to create a new GT3 class to allow the BMW Z4 GT-R to race next year with the likes of Audi R8, Vipers etc......

[Sylon]

You guys keep mentioning the M3's, but the BMW factory team ran two BMW Z4 GT cars at the 24hr of Nürburgring this year, which also gives invites to the Le Mans race I believe. They did ok, but not great. They did not run any M3's in that race.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

ALMS needs to create a new GT3 class to allow the BMW Z4 GT-R to race next year with the likes of Audi R8, Vipers etc......

They don't need to create a new class just for BMW to complete.

The new Viper GTS-R is going the debut later in the ALMS season. They are currently testing the car.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Sylon

You guys keep mentioning the M3's, but the BMW factory team ran two BMW Z4 GT cars at the 24hr of Nürburgring this year, which also gives invites to the Le Mans race I believe. They did ok, but not great. They did not run any M3's in that race.

No automatic invites. Completely different classes and rules/regulations between the two races.

BMW couldn't race the Z4 GT even if they built it to ACO/IMSA specs. It wouldn't qualify under the homologation rules.

[Andrew_K_AZ]

The only good thing I can see is that I can cheer for the Corvette boys at Le Mans this year without been torn as I was last year

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last year for the E92 in ALMS. They will not be able to race the next gen turbo M3 in ALMS or at Le Mans because of regulations.

BMW already announced this is the last year of their ALMS program.

[Kayani_1]

I think making a new GT3 class and getting rid of 2 different useless prototype classes would make more business sense then not making it. This will allow a lot of manufactures to bring there already ready made GT3 class cars without spending a boat load of money.

Other wise ALMS will lose a huge amount of BMW fans that will shift to DTM if it comes way side of USA next year.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

They don't need to create a new class just for BMW to complete.

The new Viper GTS-R is going the debut later in the ALMS season. They are currently testing the car.

[Kayani_1]

Like some one else said two totally different races and No BMW Z4 GT-R or BMW period is racing in Le mans despite the fact that they can with ALMS M3 GT-R.

Originally Posted by Sylon

You guys keep mentioning the M3's, but the BMW factory team ran two BMW Z4 GT cars at the 24hr of Nürburgring this year, which also gives invites to the Le Mans race I believe. They did ok, but not great. They did not run any M3's in that race.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

I think making a new GT3 class and getting rid of 2 different useless prototype classes would make more business sense then not making it. This will allow a lot of manufactures to bring there already ready made GT3 class cars without spending a boat load of money.

Other wise ALMS will lose a huge amount of BMW fans that will shift to DTM if it comes way side of USA next year.

ALMS will be just fine, they keep adding entries to GT class. If anything it is BMW that is losing a lot of exposure, especially not attending the biggest endurance race. ALMS shouldn't worry about DTM, DTM is just a glorified spec series.

The regulations of the VLN GT3 class just won't work for ALMS. IMSA sets strict homologation rules.

There was a report that BMW was working on bringing the Z4 GT3 to the Rolex series.

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

No automatic invites. Completely different classes and rules/regulations between the two races.

BMW couldn't race the Z4 GT even if they built it to ACO/IMSA specs. It wouldn't qualify under the homologation rules.

Thanks for the correction, I honestly thought they were the same.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

There was a report that BMW was working on bringing the Z4 GT3 to the Rolex series.

Exactly. The GT cars need to be sold to the general public and the Z4 coupe obviously isnt coming.

^debbie downer up here

[MiamiE93Vert]

I thought the manufacturers were planning some sort of worldwide GT merger, with BMW being one of the major supporters, and in the US it would be through the Grand-Am Circuit? If so, that would make sense that ALMS and Le Mans would lose out to Grand-Am/DTM. I don't remember my sources so this is just speculation to see if anyone has any first hand info or updates.

[NL-J]

Yeah bummer I'd rather see them at Le Mans than DTM.