BMW V12

The BMW V12 LMR was entered in Sports car racing from 1998 to 2000.

The car mainly served the purpose of preparing the cooperation between BMW and Williams F1 (where the roadster was built). The BMW_M70#S70B56 V12 of the McLaren F1 was used, limited to less than 600hp by the rules. In 1998, the BMW V12 LMP sports cars suffered wheel bearing troubles at 24 Hours of Le Mans and were withdrawn.

The cars were improved over the winter, with a new single hoop rollbar that was copied by others, eg. the Audi R8 in 2000, and called LMR.

In 1999, run by Schnitzer Motorsport, the LMR won the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Joachim Winkelhock. Due to different rules, the roadster was not the fastest car over a single lap, but it had lower fuel consumption and higher reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz CLR and Toyota GT-One coupés.

Also, the 1970s tradition of "BMW Art Cars" of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and others was revived, with artist Jenny Holzer covering a car with quotes from her 'Truisms and Survival' works e.g. "Protect me from what I want" or "You are so complex you don't respond to danger".

BMW continued to use the LMRs in the American Le Mans Series and the 1000km Nürburgring in the season 2000, with JJ Lehto and others.

External links

[BMW V12 LM]
[United Bimmer] - A BMW community offering tech support forums, a DIY (Do It Yourself) knowledge base, and other resources for BMW enthusiasts.

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