The Car

The car started out with me as a completely standard, matching numbers BMW E36 328i saloon in SE spec, painted Montreal Blue and built in 1997. Over the last ten years, it has been developed into a competition car with a simple approach – maximum performance for minimum investment. It remains road legal and is driven to and from every event. Here’s a summary of its specification for the 2024 season:

Safety
– Safety Devices 6-point bolt-in roll cage – cross door bars both sides, cross rear bar
– Cobra Evolution Pro-Fit FIA-approved driver’s seat with FIA-approved OMP 802 six-point harness.
– Cobra Monaco Pro passenger’s seat, also with OMP 802s, fitted when required.
– FIA-approved plumbed-in 4kg Lifeline fire extinguisher and electrical cut-off

Powertrain
– 2.8-litre BMW M52B28 straight six, M50 inlet manifold conversion, JustDeutsch camshafts
– Five-speed manual gearbox with Competition Clutch kit & lightweight flywheel
– 215bhp or 245bhp as regulations permit
– 300Nm @ 4000rpm
– 3.73 BMW 188mm LSD with eight friction plates, >60% lockup
– Mocal oil-to-air cooler, M3 radiator with SPAL high-flow electric fan

Chassis
– Gaz Gold adjustable suspension, Eibach adjustable anti-roll bars
– BMW GT Type II rear wing and front splitter
– Nankang AR-1 225/45R17 racing semi-slick tyres
– TeamDynamics Pro Race 1.2 17x8J wheels
– BMW E46 330i front brakes with 325x25mm discs, disc & caliper cooling
– BMW E46 320d rear brakes with 294x19mm discs
– Performance Friction 08-compound endurance racing brake pads
– Standard 62-litre fuel tank with swirl pot, approx. 90 racing minutes’ fuel range

Performance
– 1200kg without driver
– 0-60mph approx 6 seconds
– 139mph top speed – 7000rpm rev limiter in 5th
– Brands Hatch Indy : 55.53
– Donington Park National : 1:22.35
– Cadwell Park : 1:42.78

The car has covered just over 216,000 miles. Over seven seasons, it has competed in  more than 60 races, along with countless track & test days shared between 40 different drivers at last count. Despite this, reliability is outstanding and the car has only ever been prevented from finishing three of the scores of events it’s contested due to mechanical failure.

The specifications for past seasons can be found below:
2017 – 750MC Roadsports Class D
2018 – 750MC Roadsports Class C
2019 – 750MC Club Enduro Championship & Roadsports Class C
2020 – 750MC Roadsports Class C, MSVT Trackday Trophy, CSCC Open
2021-2023 – 750MC Roadsports & Club Enduro, MSVT Trackday Trophy & Championship