BMW Group Classic is returning to the Le Mans Classic at the Sarthe for the first time since 2014 and is bringing the legendary BMW M1 Group 4 to the start in the "Munich pub design". The original racing driver line-up that raced in the 24-hour race at Le Mans in 1981 will be there: SKH Prince Leopold of Bavaria (DE), Christian Danner (DE) and Peter Oberndorfer (DE) will drive the race car.
The team prepared for this race on June 15, 2023. Drivers, spectators and members of the press gathered at the Spatenhaus an der Oper in Munich for a public photo session, which had already taken place in this form 42 years ago: on June 3, 1981, this event drew attention to the race at the time. This year, history repeated itself - at the same location, with the same vehicle and the same drivers.
SKH Prince Leopold of Bavaria: "I am very much looking forward to driving the BMW M1 Group 4 in the Munich Wirte design at Le Mans again after 42 years. I am particularly proud that my friends Christian Danner and Peter Oberndorfer will be joining me and that we will be able to travel back in time in a very special way."
2023 is a year of celebrations. BMW Group Classic launched this race in cooperation with BMW Motorsport and BMW France to mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The BMW sales company in France is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Not to be forgotten: On June 21, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold of Bavaria will be 80 years old.
In addition to the race entry of the BMW M1 Group 4 in the "Plateau 6" racing class, BMW Group Classic will be exhibiting icons of the endurance race in the "Musée des 24 Heures du Mans": The overall race winner of 1999, the BMW V12 LMR, will be flanked by the first BMW Art Car, the BMW 3.0 CSL from 1975, designed by Alexander Calder. The BMW M3 GT2 from 2010 will also be on display: the Art Car by Jeff Koons.
A total of almost 20 privately entered historic BMW racing cars will also be in action at the Le Mans Classic.
