From 1995 through 2006, BMW of North America’s BMW M3 racing program boasted 53 wins in 118 races entered, and 14 championship trophies. The first generation M3 swept through the racing circuits of Europe like wildfire. Winning the World Touring Car Championship in 1987, eight European Championships, and an additional 60 national titles, by 1992 the E30 M3 became the most successful touring car of all time.

While the car was officially sold here, North American enthusiasts read about the M3’s racing triumphs with fervor, but reading was one thing – they wanted to see it in competition for themselves. Beginning with the introduction of the second-generation E36 M3, they got exactly what they wanted – in spades.

Victorious from the start

BMW of North America began its first racing program only days after its incorporation in March 1975. With BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS lettered across the top of the windshield, the overall win by a BMW Motorsport-prepared 3.0CSL at the 12 Hours of Sebring set the winning tone for the twists and turns of the next 30 years.

After the CSLs, the ’70s decade ended with the 320 Turbo program that introduced BMW’s move to a more refined, up-market model. Known affectionately as the “Flying Brick,” the fame-throwing coupes delighted sports car racing fans with their signature exhaust fire.

The program also added reams of data to BMW’s turbocharging technology – information that would help a BMW-powered Brabham win the 1983 Formula 1 World Championship. There were a few more flery years in the late ’80s in IMSA’s (International Motor Sports Association) top prototype category with the  BMW GTP.

The very expensive program netted only one win, but added incalculable experience to BMW of North America. Back to production cars, BMW of North America sponsored a pair of E34  M5s to an IMSA Supercar championship. When the second-generation M3 debuted in 1995, the company was ready for a major effort in production car racing.