One to Buy: ex-Prototype Technology Group 2000 BMW E46 M3 GTR
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After a five-year spell campaigning the E36 M3 GTR, BMW’s North American competition partner, Prototype Technology Group (PTG), switched focus to the new E46-based Motorsport 3-series.
Four copies of the resultant PTG-developed E46 M3 GTR were assembled for the 2000 American Le Mans Series: a prototype numbered 00-001 and three subsequent copies numbered 001 through 003.
Between them, the four 2000 model year E46 M3 GTRs contested every round of the twelve race American Le Mans Series, a championship that comprised eight events in the United States plus others in Canada, England, Germany and Australia.
Over the course of the season, the PTG squad managed a GT class win at Laguna Seca, second in class finishes at Mosport and Portland and thirds at Sears Point and Adelaide. With the best BMW man (Brian Cunningham) placing seventh in the Driver standings and PTG finishing a distant third in the Teams’ Championship, it was clear a more potent iteration of the M3 would be required to stop the Porsche juggernaut. Accordingly, a trick V8-engined GTR was sanctioned to replace the existing straight six version for 2001 which went on to deliver both titles.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Laguna Seca auction scheduled for August 13th is the prototype E46 M3 GTR: chassis 00-001.
Having failed to finish owing to brake issues at the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours, chassis 00-001 placed fourth in class at Charlotte, sixth in class at both the Silverstone 500km and Nurburgring 1000km and third in class at Sears Point. Later in the season, 00-001 failed to finish when it slid off the track during a downpour at Mosport, but was not seriously damaged.
Having run at the ALMS Daytona test in November 2000, chassis 00-001 was sold to Alegra Motorsport with whom it continued to race in some of North America’s premier endurance events.
During 2009, the car was acquired by the late David Paul who wanted a PTG M3 for historic racing. However, upon discovering chassis 00-001, which retained its original bodywork, engine, gearbox, drivetrain, suspension and numerous other components to include the unique rear "M" firewall exclusive to this car, Paul sanctioned a painstaking restoration back to original ALMS specification as opposed to preparation for historic competition. The sole deviation from factory configuration was the retention of 00-001’s enlarged 3.4-litre engine which had been developed by PTG's Chris Fletcher from the original 3.2-litre unit to enhance competitiveness during the car's later career.
Upon completion, chassis 00-001 returned to public view when it was displayed at The Quail in 2009 as part of the Hans Stuck Tribute honouring one of the men most closely associated with its early career.
Today, the car is presented in its 2000 Nurburgring 1000km specification and is accompanied by a comprehensive history file.
