If you’ve been wondering what Blimey!, some of the folks behind some of your favorite PC racing sims, have been up to lately, look no further than the press release issued this morning from 10TACLE STUDIOS, publisher of GTR, GTR2, and GT Legends. It seems they’ve scored a partnership with BMW and the new game is nothing other than BMW M3 Challenge, which will offer a digital rendition of BMW’s latest iteration of the classic M3 coupe. The game will launch in parallel with the upcoming International Motor Show in Frankfurt, and will be downloadable for free after the doors close there. No word yet on details beyond the game being free and offering 16 player online multi, but given how enjoyable all the various M3 Challenge mods have been over the years, this one should be right good fun.

Darmstadt, August 31 2007 – 10TACLE STUDIOS AG deliver goose bumps this autumn by bringing to life the powerful engine of the new BMW M3. The racing specialists of developer Blimey!Games demonstrate for the first time the impressive power of the 420 hp Bolide with their new Freeware game “BMW M3 Challenge” for PCs.

The authentic driving experience is once more based on the award-winning technology of the internationally acclaimed “GT Legends” and developed together with the close co-operation of the BMW engineers. It was closely calibrated to match the brand new model launched this year. Road performance, sound and optics, as well as the detailed distance conversion of the Nürburgring, one of Europe’s most challenging race tracks, provide the player with a realistic test drive of the newest sports car under race conditions.

“We are very excited to be working as a premium partner with one of the world’s most successful car companies to realise this project. Our Blimey!Games team once again proves its impressive efficiency in the field of motor sports simulations with their newest BMW M3 Challenge game,” says Michele Pes, chairman of 10TACLE STUDIOS AG. The launch of the new game will take place at the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Visitors to the trade show will get a taste of the first laps in the BMW M3 simulator. The joyride will afterwards be available on four game modes at home. Players can compare their own driving abilities with those of other drivers in the extensive online mode. Up to 16 cars will be waiting at the starting line when the traffic light turns green at this winter’s BMW M3 Challenge online competition. BMW will award prizes to the best international drivers.