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1986 March 86G BMW news, pictures, and information
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Using a new generation turbocharged 2.0-liter power plant, the cars were capable of more than 200 mph. The two-car team of David Hobbs/John Watson and Davy Jones/John Andretti always qualified well, but the program's only win came from Jones and Andretti at Watkins Glen in 1986. The duo won from the pole position and set a race record around the famous 3.7-mile upstate New York circuit. The story of these cars is not what they were, but what they could have been. After only two seasons and the historic win at the Glen, the cars saw only two more races as the very expensive program was discontinued by BMW.
There were ten examples of the March 86G constructed. BMW purchased six examples and two were later destroyed in fires caused by the turbo chargers. Nissan purchased four examples and prepared them for Le Mans. The BMW cars were run in the IMSA GTP series.
These new March cars were designed by Gordon Coppuck and originally carried the name '86S', with the 'S' symbolizing sport. The cars were very lightweight, thanks in part to their aluminum honeycomb chassis with magnesium bulkheads. The BMW cars were fitted with 2-liter engines that were given additional performance with the assistance of turbochargers.
BMW raced the cars during the season with some success. Most of their attempts at overall victory eluded them due to mechanical or other problems. When BMW halted their support, two of the cars were purchased by Gianpiero Moretti. These two cars were given Buick engines. One was a turbocharged V-6 an the other was a normally-aspirated V-8 unit. Both of these cars raced until 1988.
The BMW 86G cars were very fast, competitive, and lightweight. Their shortcomings were their lack or reliability. With further development, testing, and fine-tuning, they surly could have become consistent front-runners.
These new March cars were designed by Gordon Coppuck and originally carried the name '86S', with the 'S' symbolizing sport. The cars were very lightweight, thanks in part to their aluminum honeycomb chassis with magnesium bulkheads. The BMW cars were fitted with 2-liter engines that were given additional performance with the assistance of turbochargers.
BMW raced the cars during the season with some success. Most of their attempts at overall victory eluded them due to mechanical or other problems. When BMW halted their support, two of the cars were purchased by Gianpiero Moretti. These two cars were given Buick engines. One was a turbocharged V-6 an the other was a normally-aspirated V-8 unit. Both of these cars raced until 1988.
The BMW 86G cars were very fast, competitive, and lightweight. Their shortcomings were their lack or reliability. With further development, testing, and fine-tuning, they surly could have become consistent front-runners.
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Automobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com
subscribe - RSSAutomobile information, history, and specifications from concept to production. | © 1998-2009 Conceptcarz.com