PressClub Nederland · Article.
BMW M1 Procar revival 2008
Tue Jul 22 08:30:00 CEST 2008 Persmap
Ter ere van het 30-jarige jubileum keerde de BMW M1 Procar series terug tijdens de F1 Grand Prix van Duitsland op het circuit van Hockenheim. Het evenement is een hommage aan de populaire Procar Serie, die in 1979 en 1980 de grootste publiekstrekker was in het voorprogramma van de Formule 1. Ondanks dat de laatste officiële BMW M1 Procar series race 30 jaar geleden heeft plaatsgevonden, maakt de BMW M1 nog steeds veel los bij de motorsport fans.
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BMW Group
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Author.
Diederik Reitsma
BMW Group
Contents. Page 1 Foreword Karl Baumer. Page 2 The legend returns. Page 3 Supporting Formula One. Page 5 Motorsport meets art. Page 7 30 years of BMW M1. Page 8 A superb racing car. Page 11 Tradition provides inspiration: BMW M1 Homage. Page 14 Tough duels and smiling winners. Page 16 Illustrious drivers in the cockpit. Page 18 Contact. Page 22
1. The legend returns.
As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of its birth, the BMW M1 super
sports car will make a return to the race track during the 2008 German Grand
Prix. On 19th and 20th July the BMW M1 Procar Revival at the Hockenheimring
will see ten of these impressive cars taking part in two demonstration races.
The event is planned as homage to the popular Procar Series, which attracted
massive public interest when it appeared on the support programmes of Formula
One Grands Prix in 1979 and 1980. Here world class drivers met old hands and
newcomers - each determined to prove their prowess in identical BMW M1 Procar
racing cars. Little wonder, then, the Procar events were followed as
enthusiastically as the Formula One races of the day.
World famous drivers in the BMW M1.
What applied 30 years ago will apply during the revival at Hockenheim: renowned
drivers will prove their skill behind the steering wheels of 470 bhp BMW M1
Procars. Six-time Grand Prix winner Jacques Laffite is particularly relishing
his return to a BMW M1 cockpit. Former Formula One drivers such as Marc Surer
and Christian Danner will also be present, as will BMW Brand Ambassador Prince
Leopold of Bavaria, and veterans Dieter Quester and Harald Grohs.
BMW M1 Art Car in action.
The tenth car there to thrill the spectators at the classic Hockenheim circuit
is the BMW M1 Art Car. Pop artist Any Warhol converted this vehicle into an
artwork on four wheels. It will be the first time since the 1979 Le Mans 24
Hour Endurance Race this evocative car will be seen in action on a race track.
Jochen Neerpasch, who was then chief of BMW Motorsport GmbH and thus
responsible for initiating the Procar Series together with Bernie Ecclestone
and Max Mosley, will be in the BMW M1 Art Car for both demonstration races.