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They got 1500hp out of a 4 cyl turbo M10 motor...

---JT
'89 635CSi
'86 Alpina B7/1 Turbo Coupe, #72
'99 528i Sport - wife's grocery getter

Re: Z4 Coupe + 335 biturbo = helluva race car.

The problem seems to be power. BMW does not think they can get enough power out of the straight 6 to be competitive at the ALMS level. I know it depends on the weight of the car, and I don't know how much less a Z4 weighs compared to an M3, but it probably isn't enough.

I have no doubt that we will see Z4 coupes in use for other series' though.

However, if the twin turbo 6 finds its way into the Z4, then maybe it would be competitive in ALMS. The street version puts out 300hp and 300lb/ft of torque starting at 1300RPM. A race version would need another 200hp to be competitive. I have no idea if the BMW wizards could make that happen or not.

Z4 Coupe + 335 biturbo = helluva race car.

I'd bet that it could be tuned up to perform as well or better than the as-yet-vaporware ///M V8. A lot lighter, too. Too bad the "M" boys probably wouldn't stand for it...

---JT
'89 635CSi
'86 Alpina B7/1 Turbo Coupe, #72
'99 528i Sport - wife's grocery getter

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

"The M Coupe would have been great to see but it's so expensive to develop a car for ALMS it probably doesn't make sense for a limited sales model when the new M3 will appear just a year later, for sure with a V8."

Yep, but I think if you run an M Coupe, you also represent the Z4 Coupe in general and people will respond to that. The M cars are all relatively limited run cars by definition.

As far as the engine size goes, I agree that the V8 will give you more torque. I am not sure where the 4.5 liter V8's run at, but typically all BMW engines are pretty rev happy without a lot of low end torque. It will get you more, but still not as much as the Panoz I wouldn't think.

I look forward to seeing the new M3 and I really hope PTG can keep running the current M3's through next year. It would be a shame to not have BMW in ALMS for another year.

BTW, are you affiliated with PTG in some way, or just a fan?

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

The M Coupe would have been great to see but it's so expensive to develop a car for ALMS it probably doesn't make sense for a limited sales model when the new M3 will appear just a year later, for sure with a V8.

The inline 6 E46's have made strides for sure but still missing the low end grunt to really compete, especially in traffic. Expect to see good absolute lap times, especially at fast tracks which prove the talent of the team and drivers to get the most out of a great package but you'll see difficulty in maintaining the race pace one traffic begins as the shortage of torque makes it just a bit more difficult to recover if you go off line for LMP or GT1 or have to lift. We're only talking 10ths here but losing a full second every 10 laps of so is huge in top level racing.

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

I guess I can see that. Although I would love to see the M Coupe racing, I can see why it might not work for the ALMS. You need a bigger engine to keep up with Panoz and Porsche. The M Coupe will still only have the straight 6 in it. Unless it is way lighter than the Porsche, it probably won't keep up. The M3 will hopefully have the V8, so it will have the juice that it needs. The current M3's with the straight 6 seem to be doing pretty well though.

Grass Roots Support for BMW Racing

Most (potentially) effective contacts at BMW NA are Tom.Purves@bmwna.com and rob.mitchell@bmwna.com

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

V8 work was just as a stop-gap measure to catch up to Porsche and Ferrari on power. Old GTR purpose built block was not legal leaving only the E39 M5 based V8 similar to raced in '01 in Grand Am. M Group didn't want superor turbo charging (even though 335 is Turbo). M Coupe Aero was better than M3 for sure but development budget for ALMS was cut because it was felt that Coupe was a short-term solution, just waiting for new M3.

Re: Arggghhh! No BMW effort?

Agreed. BMW NA need to know the support is out there. But who do we contact to have the most impact? Larry Koch? Bill Cobb? Someone else? We need to orchestrate a "grassroots" campaign targeted at decision influencers, else efforts will be lost in some marketing assistant's mailbox. ptgsport, are you w/ the retail effort?

Cheers

what would PTG do in 2007?

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

Why work on a V-8 for the E46? No production E46 has a V-8.

Or was this work for the E90 M3 race car?

What are the aerodynamics on the Z4 M Coupe compared to the current 911 GT3 RSR and F430 GTC?

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

New aero stuff for RA. Was working on V8 for E46 and had already discontinued work in progress on M Coupe GT.

Re: Arggghhh! No BMW effort?

Anyone who feels this way might want to tell BMW NA. It would certainly help and it couldn't hurt. It ain't over 'till it's over...but it's close.

They have a 1 series diesel race car

lol, YES! A 1 series racer would be cool!

And it certainly would attract buyers here in the US.

I would also love to see the Z4 Coupe race car... but sadly, I don't think that is going to happen here.

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

I thought PTG was working on some new aerodynamic package.

BMW might bring back race fans if they made a 21st century E30 M3.

Arggghhh! No BMW effort?

Is the world coming to an end? This would effect my decision to purchase a BMW in the future.

Well, I for one, want BMW factory backed efforts

I think PTG has been doing a great job. Other privateers who get support from BMW factory drivers, like Turner Motorsports, have also done well. I want to see that continue.

I was a little backwards, I got the BMW first, and then got interested in racing from that. But it keeps me interested in the Marque, that is for sure.

Re: PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?

Anevil and potentially true rumor. As of Tuesday there is no current contract to race BMWs for PTG in 2007. Anything can happen but it would be nice if BMW owners and fans expressed the importance of BMW racing its roadcars in North America before its too late. As fans of the sport we like to beleive that BMW's recent sales success has at least in significant part been due to the almost 11 years of factory supported PTG efforts.

PTG & BMW no longer together in 2007? Anyone know?