The checkered flags emblazoned on the door sills and steering wheel of the M3 Competition Edition pay tribute to more than a decade of BMW GT class success of the racing circuits of North America.

 

From Lime Rock in the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut in Laguna Seca Raceway just north of California's Monterey Bay, the BMW M3 has given sports car racing fans across North America reason to cheer since the first BMW of North America racing program began in 1995.

 

With drivers such as Bill Auberlen, Boris Said, and the legendary Hans Stuck, the BMW M3 dominated the GT classes of sports car racing in the States into the new millenium with two generations of BMW M3 (E36 + E46), winning 53 of 118 races entered.  In 1997 the BMW M3 became one of the few marques ever to win its class both at the 24 hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the same year. 

 

A decade and a half late the BMW M3 Continues to top the American Le Mans series podiums against a tough field of GT competitors.  Led by American racing icon Bobby Rahal, BMW Team RLL won the ALMS GT Manufacturer and Team Championships in both 2010 and 2011, with Joey Hand and Dirl Muller adding the Driver's title this year for a clean sweep of all GT Class Championships.

 

To read this article in its entirety and learn more about the M3 Competition Edition as well as the racing history of the M3 CLICK HERE!