2001 BMW M3 - Inquire - Raleigh, NC - In 2000 PTG (Prototype Technology Group- Tom Milner) in conjunction with BMW North America commissioned six race cars. Four with 6 cylinders and two with M5 S62 V8′s combined with specially developed carbon fiber body work. The V8 cars were specifically built to beat Porsche in the Rolex Grand Am series. This is the first V8 M3 to race in North America (car 004) and the predecessor to the GTR.
Drivers
Hans Stuck, Boris Said, Terry Borcheller and Toney Jennings. Stuck said about the V8 M3, “Now it is even more the ultimate driving machine!” The car was very controversial due to homologation issues. This may be the only remaining example as the sister car may have been destroyed at Bathurst during the 2003, 24-hour race in Australia. “Not confirmed”
Race history (2001-2003)
First season: 3 wins, 5 podiums, 9 Top 10 Finishes. Finishing 2nd in points for the 2001 season. Class wins at Mid-Ohio, Homstead and an “overall win” at LimeRock.
Due to the car’s performance, it was saddled with significant weight handicaps as well as intake restrictions. Despite this the GT remained very competitive. GT #004 raced professionally in Grand Am until 2003. At that time the car was sold by Bell Motorsports (Jim Bell) to Danny Alvis of Willmington, NC. He raced the car in BMW Club Races a handful of times. Danny died in 2007 and his estate sold the car to Scott Newman of Miami Florida. Scott ran the car in SVRA and HSR events. The last time the car ran in anger was at the Legends of Motorsport at Homestead in 2010.
In 2012, the car was sent back to PTG and completely refreshed. It is the last project to leave PTG, as the company has closed for good. Many of the original crew at PTG performed a true labor of love on this project. The car has not sustained any significant damage during its life. Currently the car is track ready. Minimum hours on fresh engine. Test time only. GT #004 features a Hewland 6 speed gearbox, carbon fiber body over stitch welded steel tub, air jacks and updated fuel cell.