BMW Race Series- OPEN Class

[conrod 1]

– BMW RACING SERIES- OPEN CLASS RULES AND REGULATIONS

–

– GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

• This class is intended to provide a series for existing BMW race cars to compete in, against cars of similar performance. It is deliberately intended to include Group A cars, Supertourers, NZ Touring Cars, as well as other rally and circuit cars. It is also intended to encourage the building of BMW race cars, by providing a series in which they can compete. The committee will be keeping a register of the BMW race cars currently in the country.

•

• 1. TECHNICAL.

• 1.1 This class open to any model BMW car fitted with a BMW engine.

• 1.2 Engines: must be production BMW cylinder block and head casting, all other ancillary components are free.

• 1.3 Turbochargers and superchargers are forbidden, unless fitted as original equipment to that particular model car.

• 1.4.1 It is permissible to use BMW engines transplanted from other model BMW’s, but the same number of cylinders must be retained in respect to the body type. ie. 2002 must be four cylinders, so S14 into 2002 is permissible. E30(inc. M3) must be four or six cylinder so M30 into E30 is permissible. Cylinder number is in respect to cars produced by BMW, and does NOT include low volume runs by specialist tuners such as Hartge, Alpina etc.

• 1.4.2 Any cars which fall outside of 1.4.1 will be considered for dispensation by the committee on a case by case basis, and notified in writing. However, these cars MUST be BMW powered, no exceptions will be made for cars that have engines from another manufacturer.

• 1.5 It is permissible to move the engine, however, it is not permissable to remove/cut/modify the factory firewall/bulkhead in order to move the engine rearwards in the chassis.

• 1.6 Bodywork- original unit construction bodyshells must be used, no spaceframed or semi spaceframed cars will be allowed. Modifications to bodywork permitted. Composite panels permitted.

• 1.7 Rollcages compulsory, design is free, but must conform to MNZ spec. and all cars must have a current log book.

• 1.8 Presentation must be to a high standard, the organizers reserve the right to refuse entry to any car deemed not up to standard.

• 1.9 Suspension and brakes- no restriction.

• 1.10 Wheels and tyres- no restriction on wheel size, and slicks will be permitted.

• 1.11 Weight- there will be no minimum weight for any cars competing

• 1.12 Vehicle must be from a minimum production run of 500 cars.

2.GENERAL

2.1 Entry will be by invitation by the series organizers only.

2.2 All entrants must be current financial members of the BMW Car Club of NZ

2.3 Presentation of cars and driver behaviour must be to a high standard, both on and off the track. Anyone not maintaining the appropriate standards will be forbidden from further participation.

It is anticipated that the first meeting will be later this year, with up to 5 meeting in total spread over the summer. I have a list of all known BMW race cars in NZ and we will be contacting owners of these within the next two weeks to gauge interest and confirm numbers of entries.If you have any further Q's email me at the address below.

Conrad

[email protected]

[kiwi535 538]

sounds interesting!!!!!

[bmwsparkle 3]

f**kn mint. We'll see what happens.

[Guest Andrew]

Looking forward to it.

[cainchapman 0]

It is only North Island based though isn't it Conrad?

[conrod 1]

For the first season we will run it North Island only. If we can get enough interest in the class and support we would like to include a few rounds in the South island as well, after all, there are some of the best race BMW's down South!

[DCEIVN 0]

I'm in for sure. Looks like Its finalised - time to get a cage.

[E30-323ti 66]

Sounds awesome.

Pity no non-bmw engined cars are not allowed, but understandable.

Also a pity on the firewall mods, no FI etc... but also understandable as thats what OSCA's is for I guess!!!

Will these meeting be held in conjunction with the E30 Series meetings??? Same race even??

[conrod 1]

Sounds awesome.

Pity no non-bmw engined cars are not allowed, but understandable.

Also a pity on the firewall mods, no FI etc... but also understandable as thats what OSCA's is for I guess!!!

Will these meeting be held in conjunction with the E30 Series meetings??? Same race even??

I might end up kicking myself for putting in the rule about firewall mods, that might not have been such a clever move on my part....... What do you mean by "no FI etc?" I was under the impression that FI was a term used to describe aftermarket fuel injection, which certainly will be allowed in this class.

For the first year it is LIKELY that the E30 Series will be run within the same race, in order to be sure of a good grid size. It is hoped that by the second season of racing BOTH classes will have sufficient numbers to enable us to run them as separate races.

cheers Conrad

[Carl 3]

Think FI refers to forced induction.

Now to get a roll cage...

[E30-323ti 66]

I might end up kicking myself for putting in the rule about firewall mods, that might not have been such a clever move on my part....... What do you mean by "no FI etc?" I was under the impression that FI was a term used to describe aftermarket fuel injection, which certainly will be allowed in this class.

For the first year it is LIKELY that the E30 Series will be run within the same race, in order to be sure of a good grid size. It is hoped that by the second season of racing BOTH classes will have sufficient numbers to enable us to run them as separate races.

cheers Conrad

FI=Forced Induction, was easier than typing Turbocharger & Supercharger.

It is sensible to limit the chassis mods, but it's a bit harsh considering the likes of Grp A M3's and SuperTourers have a free entry.

It's kind of like letting high level factory built racecars compete but not one that you build yourself to a similar level.

Esp. when the likes of the supertourers basically have a tube frame front end!! So it that allowed as long as the firewall is stock??

[OT]

I'm contemplating a sizeable hole in the firewall at the moment

Cutting and welding, sounds like fun.

[/OT]

[conrod 1]

Aaah, FI=forced induction, I need to get with the programme!......

Supertourers and Group A cars were not allowed to cut the firewall, even though they have almost a spacframe front end, especially the 96 spec cars. So the idea behind this rule was pretty much keeping with the restrictions these cars were faced with.(as was the FI rule) It doesn't hurt a four cylinder car as much, but cars like mine with a six would certainly benefit from moving the engine rearwards. I was a bit torn between allowing too much freedom in building 'hotrods" (which might kill the class) yet allowing people like myself to build and develop something a bit different, and took the view that this rule might be better for the class in the long term. It was one rule I changed my mind on many times!

[Guest Andrew]

It should be good - I imagine some good racing will develop between the similarly specced cars in the open series.

How many laps are the races? I imagine Mike Delmont's turbo beast would lap an e30 series car after 6 laps.

[E30-323ti 66]

...I was a bit torn between allowing too much freedom in building 'hotrods" (which might kill the class) yet allowing people like myself to build and develop something a bit different, and took the view that this rule might be better for the class in the long term. It was one rule I changed my mind on many times!

That's what the OSCA class is for really, get's messy if you start effectivlely doubling up classes or spliting entries between 2, but you also don't want a class that is too restrictive, I think it's a good balance with the freedom to swap engines etc...

Are you leaving things like suspension & brakes free? Other chassis mods (eg. how I've got new rear shock towers for coilovers)??

Would there be the opertunity for other engined or FI'd BMW's to enter (non-point scoring) if the fields are light??

Maybe I should find a S50 instead of going down the OSCA car path!?!?!

[conrod 1]

As the rules state, suspension and brakes are free.(1.9) Sorry, no chance of any other engines permitted, nor "FI" either, if we can't get a field of cars out of over 60 open class cars already in NZ, plus the new E30 cars, then we have a serious problem! Where we may make exceptions, is for cars such as M3 GTR replicas, with a BMW V8 fitted, or say an S14 into a 2002, and of course an S50 into an E30! As you say, we are trying to strike a balance, to allow hybrids to run, but not make it too easy to build something that will dust off everything, and possibly kill the class.

The quickest cars are still going to be the E30 M3 Gp. A cars,Mike D still has some work to do to get his car down to their lap times around Pukekohe, and I will certainly have my work cut out too, but that is just part of the challenge! And yes, sprint races probably of 6 laps, although I guess an "Enduro" of more laps would be worthy of consideration too.

Edited July 10, 2006 by conrod

[Guest Andrew]

but not make it too easy to build something that will dust off everything, and possibly kill the class.

I think i'll get dusted off fairly quickly hah - will be good to be out there with those cars any how.

(mental note: avoid rubbing with REALLY expensive GrpA m3s)

[M325is 0]

Nah play dirty, f**k there beautiful panel work up so they slow down and cry over it. Then you win

[cainchapman 0]

I doubt that many of the Southern cars (M3's and Super Tourers) would travel North for a couple of Sprint races in a week-end. As Andrew has pointed out, the fast cars will lap Pukekohe in 59sec to 64sec. I'd bet the standard class will need a sun-dial to take laptimes. Inexperienced drivers not watching could cause a massive amount of damage to valuable cars. Hence the Skope rules of needing to race 3 times at Ruapuna in the year to qualify as a starter. But that kind of rule would be prohibitive for Southerners also. I'll be showing up to see how the season runs. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

[DCEIVN 0]

any details of the series itself and what it will involve other than car specs - i.e. meets per year, laps per race, how they will be run etc? btw sorry if its listed and didnt catch my eye

[conrod 1]

any details of the series itself and what it will involve other than car specs - i.e. meets per year, laps per race, how they will be run etc? btw sorry if its listed and didnt catch my eye

TBA- soon!

[Guest Andrew]

I doubt that many of the Southern cars (M3's and Super Tourers) would travel North for a couple of Sprint races in a week-end. As Andrew has pointed out, the fast cars will lap Pukekohe in 59sec to 64sec. I'd bet the standard class will need a sun-dial to take laptimes. Inexperienced drivers not watching could cause a massive amount of damage to valuable cars. Hence the Skope rules of needing to race 3 times at Ruapuna in the year to qualify as a starter. But that kind of rule would be prohibitive for Southerners also. I'll be showing up to see how the season runs. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.

Of course you'll be showing up - didn't I mention the 540 is towing the race car to puke?

[cainchapman 0]

Sweet as Andrew. You get a roll cage fitted to it and I'll race too. I think I could hold off the odd 320.