The chronicle of our seemingly never-ending passion for the 24-hour race on the banks of the river Sarthe dates way back to the 1930s. BMW represented the German automobile industry when the endurance classic was held for the 16th time from 17th to 18th June 1939. The grid at the Circuit des 24 Heures featured three BMW 328. The roadster, which was built in Eisenach, had made its race debut in the Eifelrennen on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. It won the 2000 cm³ class (without compressor) in the Green Hell, setting an average speed of 101.6 km/h with Ernst Jakob Henne at the wheel.

The BMW 328 was the dream sportscar of its era. 464 cars were built by 1940. One of them – the number 26 car – demolished the opposition in Le Mans, winning the 1501 to 2000 cm³ class. In doing so, it recorded the maiden class victory for BMW at arguably the most iconic 24-hour race in the world. 2019 is the 80th anniversary of this success.

By the end of the 1980s, the story of BMW in Le Mans featured a further six class victories. The BMW 3.0 CSL alone triumphed on four occasions. Originally designed for touring car racing, this car was unbeatable in 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977. The BMW 3.0 CSL is regarded as the first product to come out of what went on to be BMW Motorsport GmbH. The CSL in the car’s title stood for Coupé Sport Lightweight. Background: The car was no more powerful than the BMW 3.0 CS. However, weight reductions – a Perspex rear windscreen, aluminium bonnet and doors – meant the car weighed a mere 1,165 kg.

However, the list of winning cars in Le Mans is littered with more BMW legends, like the BMW 2002 ti. The acronym ti stands for Turismo Internazionale and refers to the more powerful versions of the M10 engine in the BMW 02. There were three production variants. The BMW 2002 ti was equipped with a 120-hp, two-litre engine. In 1975, the race version of this car was unbeatable in the touring car class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1975. The 1969 BMW 2002 ti, with which Dieter Quester was crowned European touring car champion, heralded the BMW Turbo era 50 years ago. Thanks to an additional 75 hp, courtesy of the turbocharger, the car generated a full 280 horsepower. A brutal boost of power at that time. The BMW M1 super sportscar also made a name for itself in Le Mans when it won the Group B class two years in a row in 1984 and 1985. The car arrived in the sporting spotlight with the BMW M1 Procar Series, which was held on the support programme for Formula 1 and first cast its spell over motorsport fans 40 years ago. That series is now set for a revival at the DTM race weekend at the Norisring in 2019. However, the major triumph in Le Mans would have to wait – for now.

However, it was soon time to take another time-out from the relationship with Le Mans. After 2011 and the BMW M3 GT2, several long years passed without a BMW race car gracing the grid at the circuit on the river Sarthe. As always, however, the desire to rekindle that love grew ever stronger. Four years ago, BMW Motorsport began putting together the car with arguably the most efficient racing engine of all time – the BMW M8 GTE. The goal: To race in the FIA World Endurance Championship – and in Le Mans. BMW Team MTEK made a successful comeback with two new BMW M8 GTE in 2018. Six BMW works drivers took their place at the wheel of the two cars. Martin Tomczyk, Nick Catsburg and Philipp Eng shared the driving duties in the number 81 car. Car number 82 was driven by António Félix da Costa, Alexander Sims and Augusto Farfus. On the Friday before the race, the M Motorsport Hospitality in Le Mans was the venue for a very special premiere. The new BMW 8 Series Coupe was unveiled to the public for the first time. From the racetrack to the streets: Findings from the WEC project flowed directly into the development of the production car.

When the chequered flag is waved on Sunday, 16th June 2019, BMW Motorsport and the BMW M8 GTE will say “au revoir, Le Mans”. But not until they have had another intense 24-hour flirt. The relationship with the race on the banks of the Sarthe is set for another time-out – as has often been the case in the past. The question is: For how long? “Although we decided to quit WEC after the end of this ‘Super Season’ in light of us sharpening our focus as part of our strategy for the future, we are all proud to get another chance to race on this legendary circuit“, says BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt.