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Bmw M1 Race Car

By the Editorial Staff

March 16, 2026

BMW M1: BMW 's First Mid-Engined Sports Car - Motofutura
BMW M1: BMW 's First Mid-Engined Sports Car - Motofutura Image via motofutura.com
Meet Your Heroes: The BMW M1 Procar - Cars Blog
Meet Your Heroes: The BMW M1 Procar - Cars Blog Image via webdesignrace.com

The BMW M1 (model code E26) is a mid-engined sports car produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1978 until 1981. In the late 1970s, Italian automobile manufacturer Lamborghini entered into an agreement with BMW to build a production racing car in sufficient quantity for homologation, but conflicts arose that prompted BMW to produce the car themselves. [2][3] The resulting car was.

The BMW M1 Procar
The BMW M1 Procar Image via www.bmw-m.com

In 1979 and 1980, the BMW Procar Series was one of the most spectacular racing series in the motorsport world. As part of most European Formula 1 races, the five fastest F1 drivers from the practice sessions of the respective Grand Prix took part and raced identical BMW M1 cars against private drivers, well. The BMW M1 Procar series only lasted two years, yet it still feels weirdly modern: identical cars, absurd driver lineup, and racing that mattered because nobody had a mechanical excuse.

1970s BMW M1 | Competition BMW of Smithtown
1970s BMW M1 | Competition BMW of Smithtown Image via www.competitionbmw.com

BMW ran it. The M1 was introduced by BMW in 1978. Distinguished by its road and racing versions developed with a clear focus on high performance, the M1 adopted an unusual configuration for BMW: a mid engine, rear wheel drive layout, a two door coupe body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and a strong motorsport heritage.

car, 1080P, bmw-m1, procar, classic, race, 1981 HD Wallpaper
car, 1080P, bmw-m1, procar, classic, race, 1981 HD Wallpaper Image via wallpapercrafter.com

BMW had hired Lamborghini to produce the cars, but numerous problems along the way. With the help of the legendary drivers who were there, we revisit BMW's most famous one. BMW M1 1978 - 1981 When the BMW M1 was introduced in 1978 it was the first mid-engined BMW and went on to become one of the most iconic cars ever made.

Dressed In Jägermeister Orange, This 1000bhp BMW M1 Never Saw A Racetack
Dressed In Jägermeister Orange, This 1000bhp BMW M1 Never Saw A Racetack Image via monochrome-watches.com

The M1 was created to be a racing car, and the road going version was necessary for homologation. The 24 th Procar built and delivered new to American racer, Jim Busby Campaigned in 4 seasons of the IMSA GT Championship Appearances at both the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours Fresh from a meticulous restoration by UK specialists Eligible for numerous historic grids around the world, including Le Mans Classic, Peter Auto's Classic Endurance Racing 2, Historic Sportscar Racing's. A great example is the BMW M1, introduced at the 1978 Paris Motorshow as the German company's latest GT racing weapon.

Dressed In Jägermeister Orange, This 1000bhp BMW M1 Never Saw A Racetack
Dressed In Jägermeister Orange, This 1000bhp BMW M1 Never Saw A Racetack Image via monochrome-watches.com

Problem was that before the M1 could race in the intended Group 5 class, 400 road cars had to be built and sold. It would go a little far to describe these as street legal racing cars, but they offered supercar equaling. The 1980 Procar season had the following changes from 1979: BMW sold the rights to the M1 racing series to the "Procar Association".

The cars for the F1 drivers were now built and serviced by the company "B&S Fabrication" in Luton (GB) (owners: Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone). the M1 for the qualified F1 pilots got a new design. The BMW M1 Procar Championship, sometimes known simply as Procar, was a one-make auto racing series which featured professional drivers from the Formula One World Championship, World Sportscar Championship, European Touring Car Championship, and other international series, using identically modified BMW M1 sports cars.

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