Now this is a bit of a cop-out on BMW's part. Rather than race an M3 they will race a car that does not have a few years of racing in the American Le Mans series under its belt meaning it won't be subject to the exact same regulations that slowed down the M3 attempting to make it on par with the rest of the field. Additionally, BMW has no M version of the Z4 with a V8 for sale. So, BMW will once again be bending the rules in their favor.
Porsche, Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ferrari all race cars based on production vehicles they sell. BMW is twisting things to favor their racing program similar to what got them in trouble with the M3 GTR in 2001 when it used a V8 in the M3. If BMW sold a Z4 M with a V8 this would not be nearly as big of an issue. Kind of funny BMW recognizes the importance of Z4 as a racing platform with a V8 yet refuses to sell something similar to the public unlike the manufacturers they will be racing against.
BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt stated, “This change in model shows that we are focusing fully on the BMW Z4 as an all-encompassing GT car. The BMW Z4 GT3 has been very successful on the GT3 scene in recent years, and has proven its ability to win races. I am confident this car will also play a major role as a GTE car in the ALMS.”
Sorry Jens, but you seem full of it as you don't actually sell what you are trying to sell to the public with your statement. How are you focused fully on the Z4 when there is no M variant? The previous two generations had one and now you skipped it. Seems like you have lost focus to BimmerBoost. The audacity to pull a similar stunt as in 2001 which at least was justified under the rules at the time as you did sell an M3 GTR in limited quantities is BMW arrogance at its finest.
Race the Z4 GTE and destroy the competition with it as we all know you can. But stop playing around and give us a Z4 M based on it already. Otherwise, you only make one thing, the Ultimate Marketing Machine.
vBulletin Message