No M4 GT3 at LeMans?

phefner · 06-11-2022, 08:06 PM

Anyone know why BMW opted out of LeMans? No M4…No M8?

McLaren720s · 06-12-2022, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phefner

Anyone know why BMW opted out of LeMans? No M4…No M8?

It's possible that it might be related to the mechanical problems they had during the Nurburgring 24hr race where Team Rowe crashed their car, apparently not due to driver error but related to the car.

They might have opted out to investigate an underlying issue. This is not the first time the M4 GTS crashed due to mechanical failures since it launched.

Don't quote me on this. Could be wrong. Just an assumption based on what I've seen at the Nurburgring 24hr race.

Pic18 · 06-13-2022, 08:58 AM

There are a couple of factors. First, 95% plus of the teams/cars that run Le Mans are cars that are running in WEC (vice IMSA) and BMW is not currently running in WEC. A few IMSA teams/cars do go to Le Mans but not as many as in the past (at least for now).

Issue two is that BMW is likely concentrating on there new prototype/hypercar for next year which we likely will see in Le Mans in 2023 or 2024 so the investment in running the GT3 (especially with the limited success in IMSA so far) wasn't worth it. Although you would think sending a car to run as a prep for crew and engineers would have made sense but once again I guess the cost outweighed the benefits.

06-11-2022, 08:06 PM	#1
phefner Lieutenant 371 Rep 417 Posts Drives: F30 340, F80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	No M4 GT3 at LeMans? Anyone know why BMW opted out of LeMans? No M4…No M8? __________________ Quietly Effective
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06-13-2022, 08:58 AM	#3
Pic18 First Lieutenant 304 Rep 351 Posts Drives: 18' F80 Comp, Spec E46 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	There are a couple of factors. First, 95% plus of the teams/cars that run Le Mans are cars that are running in WEC (vice IMSA) and BMW is not currently running in WEC. A few IMSA teams/cars do go to Le Mans but not as many as in the past (at least for now). Issue two is that BMW is likely concentrating on there new prototype/hypercar for next year which we likely will see in Le Mans in 2023 or 2024 so the investment in running the GT3 (especially with the limited success in IMSA so far) wasn't worth it. Although you would think sending a car to run as a prep for crew and engineers would have made sense but once again I guess the cost outweighed the benefits.
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