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  BMW V12 LMR      

  Article Image gallery (51) Chassis (2) Specifications  
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Country of origin:Germany
Produced in:1999
Numbers built:4
Designed by:Patrick Head / Williams
Predecessor:BMW V12 LM
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:June 13, 2014
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Click here to download printer friendly versionNew at the game, BMW and Williams had been relatively conservative with the design of the V12 LM. A year's worth of lessons and a better understanding of the regulations resulted in the much more ambitious V12 LMR. It was easily distinguishable from its predecessor by the single roll-over hoop. A very creative interpretation of the regulations, this provided a much cleaner airflow to the rear wing. The section between the front fenders was also much lower to funnel air to the radiators mounted in the side-pods. This was part of the complete rework of the car's cooling architecture, which was originally fed from underneath. Further revisions included a raised footbox and the use of a single air-intake for the V12. Mechanically very little was changed. The V12 LMR weighed in well under the 900 km minimum weight, so ballast could be used in strategic positions to improve handling.

Leaving little to chance, BMW decided to debut the new car early in 1999 at the Sebring 12 Hours race. The thorough redesign proved to be very effective as the two white machines qualified first and third for the race. At the end of the race the JJ Lehto, Jorg Muller and Tom Kristensen piloted machine scored BMW's very first outright win at Sebring. With high hopes the team traveled to Le Mans with two V12 LMRs. After qualifying third and sixth against very strong opposition, the two cars were found near the head of the field for most of the race. In the closing stages the #17 suffered a massive accident at the Porsche Curves due to a stuck throttle. By that time the surviving #15 car had fortunately taken the lead thanks to a combination of pace and relatively low fuel consumption. In a thrilling finale, it was closely chased by one of the Toyota GT-Ones until a puncture freed the way for BMW's first Le Mans win. The very tight schedule had been met with flying colors.

After Le Mans, the cars were shipped back to North America to compete in the remaining American Le Mans Series rounds. Here the V12 LMR added a further three race wins to its tally. Reluctant to retire the highly successful and competitive sports racer, BMW decided to campaign the V12 LMR in 2000 alongside the Formula 1 program. With little development and an ever stronger Audi presence, the class of 1999 struggled in 2000. Only two more victories were scored. It was clear that BMW had lost interest when no cars were entered to defend the Le Mans title. At the end of the year, the surviving cars were retired. In its short career, the V12 LMR had achieved all the objectives set, winning the two major endurance races. It also had a lasting effect on prototype design as all subsequent 'LMPs' had a single roll-over hoop until they were banned in 2006.

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  Article Image gallery (51) Chassis (2) Specifications