1986 BMW GTP
In 1986 BMW of North America entered the IMSA’s GTP category with this prototype. Based off a March chassis, BMW fitted a version of their 1983 Formula One engine that produced over 800 bhp from only 2-liters.
Due to the extreme turbocharging, the GTP was capable of more than 200 mph but never saw those speeds on the short IMSA tracks.
A two-car team was entered for the 1986 season that was solely sponsored by BMW M TEAM. The American duo of Davy Jones and John Andretti scored the cars only win at the Watkins Glen 500 Kilometres. The British team of John Watson and David Hobbs only ever got as high as 4th place.
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| production | 3 |
| engine | M12/14 Inline-4 |
| position | Mid, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Turbocharged |
| valvetrain | DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl |
| bore | 89.2 mm / 3.5 in |
| stroke | 80 mm / 3.1 in |
| power | 596.6 kw / 800 bhp @ 9000 rpm |
| bhp/weight | 881.06 bhp per tonne |
| body / frame | Aluminum Monocoque w/Cabron-Fiber Honeycomb Reinforcements, Steel Tube Sub Frames |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | BBS Alloyt |
| front tires | Goodyear Eagle Radial |
| rear tires | Goodyear Eagle Radial |
| front brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| rear brakes | Ventilated Discs |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | A-Arms |
| r suspension | Rocker-Arm w/Lower A-Arm |
| curb weight | 908 kg / 2000 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2667 mm / 105 in |
| length | 4775 mm / 188 in |
| width | 1994 mm / 78.5 in |
| height | 1067 mm / 42 in |
| top speed | ~321.80 kph / 200 mph |
