BMW is Headed Back to Le Mans, Getting Into Formula E
BMW is pushing further into motorsports announcing a reorganization of divisions, its intention to get back to Le Mans by 2018 and a partnership with a Formula E team.
The German brand has announced a new singular auto racing division called BMW Group Motorsport, which will now include the motorsport activities of the Mini and ‘i’ brand. BMW thinks this will create efficiencies and should help with the development of new cutting-edge technologies.
BMW is now committing to a number of difference race leagues, including the FIA World Endurance Championship, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, DTM racing and the Dakar Rally with Mini. Aside from all those, BMW also announced a partnership with the Andretti Formula E team for two seasons, at the end of which BMW will consider entering its own team into the electric open-wheel race series.
SEE ALSO: Facelifted BMW M4 Spied Testing Alongside Aggressive Special Edition Model
BMW will enter back into Le Mans in 2018 with a competitor in the LMGTE class, racing against Ferraris, Corvettes and Porsches. The last time BMW competed at Le Mans was in 2011 where the brand finished third in the LMGTE class.
Currently, BMW runs the M6 GTLM in the IMSA WeatherTech series and offers GT3 and GT4 race cars for purchase.
Discuss this story at our BMW Forum
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
More by Stephen Elmer
Comments
Join the conversation