1999 Bmw #16 Bmw V12 Lmr
The BMW V12 LMR is a Le Mans Prototype built for sports car racing from 1999 to 2000. The car was built through an alliance between BMW Motorsport and Williams Racing, and was the successor to the failed BMW V12 LM of 1998. The V12 LMR was built through an alliance between BMW Motorsport and WilliamsF1.
It had a carbon and aluminium monocoque chassis, and a V12 engine that displaced 5990,5 cm 3, producing 580 hp and allowing the car to reach a top speed of approx. 340 km/h. The #15 BMW V12 LMR, winner of the 1999 Le Mans 24h race Jenny Holzer's Art Car.
In 1999, BMW took on Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Nissan and Panoz at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its V12 LMR, securing the German constructor's first overall win at the race. BMW had concentrated all their resources on the Formula 1 debut and the 1999 cars redeployed for the ALMS. Various changes in the regulations, above all in the aerodynamic sector, could only have been counterbalanced by the development of an entirely new sports car.
The BMW V12 LMR were disadvantaged in driveability and handling compared to 1999. The V12 LMR has a dual overhead cam 48. The V12 LMR was fitted with a dual overhead cam 48-valve engine with 5990.50cc displacement and 580 horsepower at 6500 RPM and an estimated speed of 220 miles-per-hour.
Pierluigi Martini / Yannick Dalmas / Joachim Winkelhock, BMW V12 LMR, crossing the finish line during the 1999 24h Le Mans. Image Courtesy: Motorsport Images. The most striking feature was the kidney-style grille reminiscent of BMW's road cars.
Dubbed the 'V12 LM,' the new BMW 'Le Mans Prototype' was entrusted to Schnitzer Motorsport for that year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. The two. There was nervousness in the camp after the previous year's debacle at Le Mans: a wheel-bearing problem had resulted in an early bath for the drivers of the two V12 LMs, the first stab by Williams at an LMP powered by BMW's S70 V12 that already had a victory at the 24 Hours to its name in McLaren's F1 GTR in 1995.
In 1999, BMW Art Cars entered the prototypes era and American artist Jenny Holtzer transformed the BMW V12 LMR into a rolling political declaration. Through to striking slogans, chrome lettering and fluorescent overlays, the car itself became a message, and its speed a medium for reflection at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The single roll hoop and raised footbox became the bench mark as soon as the LMR debuted in 1999.
BMW's modern Le Mans assault actually started off a bit inauspiciously in 1998 with the V12 LM, but lessons learned contributed to the very successful LMR.