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Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring

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Old 11-24-2008, 11:42 PM
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I love this M3 GTR.
I hope they will win the 24 hour race
There is 1 thing that is same as the Audi R8 GTR and it is the wing.
way too big looks ugly

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_01.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_02.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_19.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_21.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_22.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_23.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_24.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_25.jpg

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-m3roadatlantatest_26.jpg
Old 12-19-2008, 04:08 AM
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This things is fuc$#ing hot! I hope some tuner out there brings a street legal copy of this bodykit to the market.
Old 01-27-2009, 06:26 PM
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Here's a recent press release regarding the recent winter tests in Sebring...

BMW RAHAL LETTERMAN RACING TEAM M3 DEBUTS AT SEBRING WINTER TEST
01/26/2009


Team is fired-up and ready to go
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 26, 2009... A new era in North American motorsports begins on January 26th when the first BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team M3 drives onto Sebring International Raceway for opening day of the American Le Mans Series Winter Test.

The official debut of BMW of North America's newest racing program comes less than one year after the announcement of BMW's return to ALMS competition was made at the Chicago Auto Show on February 11, 2008.

With final design changes made by BMW Motorsport following European and US testing, the new M3 race car was assembled by the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team crew over long days and late nights beginning in December. The M3 received its final homologation inspection on Wednesday, January 21.

The test will mark the first time drivers Bill Auberlen, Joey Hand, Tommy Milner and Dirk M?ller will drive the ALMS M3 and the very first time the three Americans will be behind the wheel of a fourth-generation race car.

"The race to the race track has ended and we are pleased to start the 2009 season," said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America's Motorsport Manager. "BMW is delighted to return to the track with the latest M3 bringing MPower back to ALMS competition. We are also pleased to introduce BMW EfficientDynamics to the North American motorsports community. Through BMW EfficientDynamics every part of every BMW is maximized for optimum performance and efficiency, whether maximizing mileage or MPower."

"The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team has worked extremely hard to get the new BMW M3 ready for the ALMS Winter Test and we expect to get a lot accomplished over the three days of testing," said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. "We are excited not only to get the cars and drivers on track together, but also to give the BMW fans their much-anticipated first look at the M3 race car."

BMW EfficientDynamics is a philosophy adopted by the BMW Group that drives everything the company does. All BMW road cars are designed to maximize efficiency while remaining true to the promise of "the Ultimate Driving Machine." Applied to the latest M3 GT2 race car, BMW EfficientDynamics makes more engine power by reducing internal friction to increase horsepower and reduce the cooling load. It is what BMW engineers can do with those gains that are at the heart of EfficientDynamics. The new M3 race car looks quite different than previous generations because BMW Motorsport was able to reduce the size of cooling openings and channel the air more efficiently, making the new racing car more aerodynamic. This car goes a few steps further by sealing drag inducing openings in the cockpit and incorporating a new "on-demand" air conditioning system. When the proper temperature is reached the system disengages to reduce parasitic losses. The power steering system is "corner-sensing", supplying assist when required, but disengaging when the car is straight.

Birkmann continues, "We look forward to educating the public, as well as our GT2 class competition, on the benefits of BMW EfficientDynamics."

The Winter Test will be held January 26, 27 and 28 at Sebring International Raceway. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team will host a media conference on Tuesday, January 27 at 10:45 a.m.

About Rahal Letterman Racing:
Rahal Letterman Racing, based in Hilliard, Ohio and co-owned by three-time IndyCar Champion and 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and CBS LATE SHOW host David Letterman, has been competing for more than a decade compiling 20 victories, 30 poles and one series championship (Bobby Rahal in 1992 in CART) and an Indianapolis 500 championship (Buddy Rice in 2004). In 2008 Rahal Letterman Racing again won Rookie-of-the-Year honors at the Indianapolis 500 and partnered with Andersen Racing to run two entries in the Indy Pro Series. In 2009 the team has joined BMW North America to campaign the new BMW M3 as BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team in the American Le Mans Series and will as serve as the organizers of the Formula BMW Americas championship.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 83 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
www.bmwgroupna.com
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorcycles.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Old 01-27-2009, 07:55 PM
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Looks hot! That wing might be big but I bet its fully functional
Old 01-28-2009, 04:18 AM
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Originally Posted by EV4530' post='779023' date='Jan 27 2009, 11:55 PM
Looks hot! That wing might be big but I bet its fully functional
Well it certainly isn't for show, that's for sure!
Old 01-28-2009, 10:35 AM
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I can't wait until April to see this thing in action, at the Long Beach race.
Old 01-28-2009, 10:59 AM
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Beautiful car. Hope they have a great season.
Old 01-30-2009, 07:23 AM
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Love the ALMS and excited to see BMW back. Bummer is that there won't be a BMW "corral" at Laguna Seca. They do Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and Mazda, but BMW is doing one this year even though they have a car in the running now.

They recruited some great driving talent so they should do well.
Old 01-30-2009, 07:56 AM
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And in other Rahal Letterman Racing news...

It looks like they might not have the sponsorhips lined up to participate in IndyCar this year. Keep your fingers crossed that they can find something soon!
Old 01-30-2009, 10:31 AM
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I took the LMP times out so that's why 1-3 are missing.

Rahal Letterman Racing tests new M3 racer at Road Atlanta, Sebring-470_bmw_sebring_alms.jpg

ALMS Test Session 1 Result

4. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:05.026 (106.538 mph)
5. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:05.283 (106.319 mph)
6. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:06.661 (105.163 mph)
7. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:07.170 (104.742 mph)


ALMS Test Session 2 Result


4. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:03.385 (107.955 mph)
5. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.616 (106.888 mph)
6. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:04.909 (106.638 mph)
7. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:05.480 (106.152 mph)
8. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:05.941 (105.764 mph)
9. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:06.150 (105.589 mph


ALMS Test Session 3 Result

4. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:03.158 (108.154 mph)
5. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.370 (107.100 mph)
6. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:04.646 (106.863 mph)
7. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:04.841 (106.696 mph)
8. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.988 (106.570 mph)
9. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:09.990 (102.469 mph)



ALMS Test Session 4 Result


4. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:01.866 (109.300 mph)
5. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.082 (109.107 mph)
6. #44 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.720 (108.540 mph)
7. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.796 (108.473 mph)
8. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:03.244 (108.078 mph)
9. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:03.550 (107.811 mph)
10. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:03.654 (107.720 mph)
11. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.541 (106.953 mph)


ALMS Test Session 5 Result


4. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:02.470 (108.761 mph)
5. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.590 (108.655 mph)
6. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.875 (108.403 mph)
7. #5 VICI Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.892 (108.388 mph)
8. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.061 (107.367 mph)
9. #44 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.065 (107.363 mph)
10. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.132 (107.305 mph)
11. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:04.499 (106.989 mph)
12. #28 LG Motorsports, Chevrolet Riley Corvette C6 (LMGT2), 2:04.796 (106.734 mph)
13. #11 Primetime Race Group, Dodge Viper GT2 (LMGT2), 2:08.412 (103.729 mph)



ALMS Test Session 6 Result


5. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.960 (108.328 mph)
6. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:03.655 (107.719 mph)
7. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.536 (106.957 mph)
8. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.742 (106.780 mph)
9. #11 Primetime Race Group, Dodge Viper GT2 (LMGT2), 2:04.793 (106.737 mph)
10. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:04.935 (106.615 mph)
11. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:05.315 (106.292 mph)
12. #5 VICI Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 3:07.601 (71.002 mph)


ALMS Test Session 7 Result


5. #87 Farnbacher Loles Racing, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:02.839 (108.435 mph)
6. #40 Robertson Racing, Doran Ford GT-R (LMGT2), 2:04.085 (107.346 mph)
7. #21 Panoz Team PTG, Panoz Esperante (LMGT2), 2:04.232 (107.219 mph)
8. #45 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:04.592 (106.909 mph)
9. #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team, BMW E92 M3 (LMGT2), 2:05.600 (106.051 mph)
10. #46 Flying Lizard Motorsport, Porsche 997 GT3 RSR (LMGT2), 2:05.600 (106.051 mph)
11. #11 Primetime Race Group, Dodge Viper GT2 (LMGT2), 2:06.407 (105.374 mph)


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