Friday, December 15, 2006

BMW and Andy Priaulx win the 2006 World Touring Car Championship

Andy Priaulx clinched the 2006 FIA World Touring Car Championship title in a tight, nail bighting finale to the series round the tortuous street circuit of Macau in mainland China. The BMW Team UK driver won race one and came fifth in race two to emerge ahead of the other eight title aspirants, beating fellow BMW 320si driver, Joerg Muller, by just one point. It was only as he crossed the finish line for the second race that he knew the title was his, making it a historical three in a row for the Guernsey driver who won the European title in 2004 and the World title in 2005.

A jubilant and very emotional Priaulx said after the race: "A race is never easy, but the first one went according to plan. I was on pole, got a good start and led from start to finish. However, race two was a different kettle of fish. Although I had gone from one point behind series leader, Augusto Farfus, to five in front the pressure was there and, of course, I was starting from eighth on the grid with a 45 kilo load of ballast. I reckon this was one of my best and at the same time hardest races ever. We had some carnage on the first lap and a long safety car period. I was being pushed from behind by one driver and had a slower one in front. On top of this the only other person still in the title hunt, Joerg Muller, was getting away in front."

Priaulx's explanation of what this win means to him was: "This one is special as every year you win a championship it means a lot more than the one before. Winning consecutive titles is very, very hard and the pressure on this one was massive. In 2004 I went to Dubai trailing by 12 points, so I was sort of discounted from being a serious challenger. Last year it was just three of us in with a chance, I was leading the series and the title was sown up after race one. Lots of factors have come into play this season and I can't forget that in the race meeting before this in Valencia I came from almost last to score a single point - how important that proved to be today. It has been a long season as we started racing in March, but even before that were testing in January. I don't think I need tell anyone what I am going to do tonight and for the next few days!"

To make it the perfect occasion for BMW Motorsport, for whom Andy is a works driver, BMW also retained its manufacturers' world title with the BMW 320si WTCC which was brand new for this season. BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen, was at the track and commented afterwards: "In this business you are never safe even if you go into the final rounds leading the battle. Anything can and does happen in Macau, but we had the right drivers here in our cars. Qualifying on Friday was very important as this laid the foundation for the race wins for both Andy in race one and Joerg in race two. Obviously we are very happy to have won both championship titles."

Article Source: www.bmw.co.uk


Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Ward’s 10 Best Engines include 2 BMW sixes

By: BMW CCA News
Two of BMW’s inline sixes made Ward’s 10 Best Engines list for 2007 cars, bringing BMW to an industry-leading 19 citations since the awards began in 1995. They are the 3.0-liter double-overhead-cam inline six, as tested (by Ward’s) on the BMW Z4 3.0si and the 3.0-liter turbocharged DOHC inline six tested on the 335i.

Also on the list was the DaimlerChrysler V-6 Bluetec turbodiesel, the fourth time an alternative/clean-air engine was cited this decade, along with the Prius engine (twice) and the Honda IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid engines. Wards’ sets a price ceiling of $54,000 for cars containing the nominated engines, which may be why the BMW V10 never made the cut.

BMW has had at least one engine on the Ward’s list every except 1999 and 2005, and multiple engines in every other year except 2000, 2001, and 2006. Others with more 10 or more 10 best engines include GM with 18, Ford with 16, DaimlerChrysler with 14, Nissan with 13 (one every year since the awards began), and Honda and Audi with 10. One of BMW’s 19 engines is the (as described by Ward’s) “BMW MINI 1.6 L I4 supercharged engine.” BMW’s M06 inline-six was also cited by Ward’s in 1999 as one of the top engines of the 20th Century.

Article Source: www.bmwcca.org

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

M3 CSL Donates Equipment to Create New M3 Coupe Competition Package Option

By: WM
Already renowned for its performance and handling, the new Competition Package takes M3 performance to the razors edge. Every aspect of the M3 handling has been tweaked resulting in the best-handling M3 ever.

The wheels are 19-inch forged-alloy wheels with high-performance tires. They connect to a suspension that has been tuned specifically for the Competition Package. Turn-in is quicker with a more direct steering ratio which goes from 15.4:1 to 14.5:1.

The Dynamic Stability Control system includes a less intrusive M track mode, as on the M3 CSL, ensuring the security of DSC and spirited driving too. For inclement conditions the regular DSC mode remains. The brakes, also adopted from the M3 CSL, include compound and cross-drilled rotors. The front rotors have also been enlarged from 12.8 to 13.6 inches.

As the serious enthusiast would expect, the Competition Package is available in combination with the standard six-speed manual or the optional Sequential Manual Gearbox.

The interior enhancements of the package are subtle but purposeful. The Alcantara steering wheel and handbrake grip feel good to the touch. The addition of the steering wheel-mounted button for the DSC M track mode requires the deletion of the multi-function controls and cruise control. The Competition Package is available with all M3 Coupe interior and exterior color combinations. Two trim items are exclusive to the Competition Package. Special Competition Package aluminum trim is included on the interior. A new exterior color, Interlagos Blue, is offered only with this package.

The Competition Package will be available for 2005 M3 Coupes beginning with December 2004 production and it will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The price for the package will be $4,000.

Aricle Source: www.bmw-car.net
Image Source: chur.home.solnet.ch