The Schnitzer-built, factory-backed BMW M3 GTR first raced in the American Le Mans Series in 2001. The car had a factory designed 4 litre V8 engine, purpose-built to beat the dominant Porsche 911 GTR3.

ABOVE and BELOW are the no. 42 and 43 cars raced by the Schnitzer team in the colours of BMW North America

BELOW: Two of the Schnitzer-built cars were also campaigned in the ALMS by BMW North America partners , PTG (Prototype Technology Group)

Such was the success of the V8 M3-GTR in 2001, stricter rules were put in place the following year to level the playing field for Porsche competitors. BMW withdrew but took the car back to Europe to compete in a string of endurance races.