SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 29, 2025 – When it comes to sibling rivalry, few stories can rival the emotional horsepower behind BMW's 2001 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) campaign. On one side stood the established might of BMW Motorsport’s Team Schnitzer. On the other, BMW of North America’s scrappy but determined Prototype Technology Group (PTG). What unfolded was a turbocharged season of drama, grit, and—ultimately—vindication.
More Than Just a Race Car—It Was a Statement
In the late ‘90s, PTG dominated GT racing with the E36 M3, taking wins and titles, yet earning little respect from BMW headquarters in Munich. As former BMW NA executive Rich Brekus put it, “Paul Rosche thought we had a hick NASCAR team running our M3 program.” That slight became fuel.
By 2001, Porsche was the undisputed GT-class leader with its ferocious 911 GT3R. To compete, PTG needed something radical—something with muscle. Enter the E46 M3 GTR, a machine born from racing dreams and corporate infighting, equipped with a new V8 designed by Porsche alum Reinhard Könneker.
The Power Struggle—On and Off the Track
BMW Motorsport allowed PTG to run the M3 GTR—but with strings attached. Team Schnitzer, closer to Munich and backed by the factory, got first dibs on the powerful P60 V8 engines and superior Michelin tires. PTG had to wait until July to get the same hardware, and raced the early season on less competitive Yokohama tires and the older inline-six engine.
This created a combustible rivalry. “You can’t put two roosters in the henhouse,” said driver Bill Auberlen. From fender taps to pit lane penalties, the tension between the teams fueled some of the season's most thrilling battles.
Why This Matters: Racing with a Purpose
The climax came at the 10-hour Petit Le Mans race just weeks after 9/11. While every car bore an American flag decal, PTG took it further—wrapping their M3 GTR in a full stars-and-stripes livery. Emotionally charged and out for redemption, the PTG trio of Stuck, Said, and Auberlen outdrove Schnitzer’s factory-backed entry to claim victory.
It wasn’t just about speed. It was about pride, resilience, and proving that passion could trump pedigree. “It was unbelievable,” Brekus recalled. “Charly [Lamm] came over and congratulated Tom [Milner] sincerely. By then, he’d recognized that PTG wasn’t some bunch of buffoons.”
Legacy Cut Short—but Never Forgotten
Though Team Schnitzer claimed the season title, the rulemakers at Le Mans had seen enough. The ACO demanded BMW build 1,000 production models of the V8-powered M3 GTR to continue competing—a requirement that effectively ended the program. Only 10 road versions were ever built, with a price tag of €250,000.
Still, the legend lived on. In 2004, PTG returned to win the Grand-Am GT title with a six-cylinder M3 GTR—banned again soon after. And in 2010–2011, BMW once again dethroned Porsche in ALMS with the E92 M3 GT2, continuing the legacy of rebellion.
Mini Feature: What Made the M3 GTR So Special?
- Engine: P60 4.0-liter V8, 493 hp at 8,000 rpm
- Weight: Lighter and more compact than its inline-six predecessor
- Grip: Perfectly matched tire balance for explosive traction
- Sound: A throaty roar that thrilled fans and terrified competitors
- Legacy: Two-time title-winner, later banned by both ALMS and Grand-Am
Today, the star car from that unforgettable season—the Petit Le Mans-winning M3 GTR—still appears at vintage races and charity events, lovingly restored by BMW Classic USA. It’s more than just a car; it’s a rolling tribute to a time when the underdog outdrove the establishment and turned a corporate sibling rivalry into motorsport legend.
Want to see this icon in action? Learn more at bmwusa.com.