BMW GTP
 |
|||||||||
| Category | IMSA GTP | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | BMW/March Engineering | ||||||||
| Predecessor | March 86G | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Aluminium monocoque, reinforced at key points with carbon fibre honeycomb, and a steel tube sub frame | ||||||||
| Length | 4,775 mm (188.0 in) | ||||||||
| Width | 1,994 mm (78.5 in) | ||||||||
| Height | 1,067 mm (42.0 in) | ||||||||
| Wheelbase | 2,667 mm (105.0 in) | ||||||||
| Engine | BMW M12/14 2,000 cc (122.0 cu in) 16 valve, DOHC I4, turbocharged, mid engine, longitudinally mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | Hewland 5 Speed LSD | ||||||||
| Weight | 908 kg (2,001.8 lb) | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | BMW North America | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |
Davy Jones John Andretti David Hobbs John Watson |
||||||||
| Debut | 1986 Grand Prix of Miami | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Teams' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
For similar sports racing cars to the BMW GTP which were also based on the March 86G chassis, see March 86G
The BMW GTP was an IMSA GTP sports racing car built by BMW in 1986. Four March 86Gs were rebuilt by BMW North America into the BMW GTP, and fitted with a Formula One-derived BMW M12/14 turbocharged straight-four engine. Like the F1 cars that used the M12 engine, the BMW GTPs were fragile, and often retired from races; however, when they did complete a race, the BMW GTP was usually classified in the overall top ten. For longevity purposes in endurance races, it usually ran around 800 hp (597 kW; 811 PS). However, in qualifying trim, 1,400 hp (1,044 kW; 1,419 PS) was feasible; combined with the aerodynamics the 220+mph top speed was limited only by gearing. Contemporary car specifications at Le Mans with similar aerodynamics and far less power figures and were surpassing near 250 mph.
In 1986, BMW North America decided to enter the GTP category of the IMSA GT Championship. Using a modified March 86G chassis (the company had purchased four of these), a modified version of the turbocharged BMW M12/14 Formula One engine was fitted. Unlike the 1.5-litre capacity used in Formula One, the GTP used a 2-litre variant of the engine, capable of producing over 800 hp (597 kW; 811 PS) in racing trim at 9,000 rpm and 1,400 hp (1,044 kW; 1,419 PS) in qualifying trim. The chassis consisted of an aluminium monocoque, reinforced at key points with carbon fibre honeycomb, and a steel tube sub frame, with the engine mounted in the middle in a longitudinal fashion. It had ventilated disc brakes all around, and used Goodyear Eagle tires.
...
Wikipedia