Thursday, January 30, 2025

My FM Log: Barbaric Motorsport Work

Two BMW race cars were included in Forza Motorsport's first series update of 2025, which is unfortunately the franchise's final year. I mention this because the Forza producers have opted not to feature a single car from the 2025 model year or beyond. It's a harsh reality, but it's entirely their fault. While the world moves forward, the Forza team has essentially moved backward, and this trend has contributed to their downfall. They had their choice and they went for the other one.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, the two BMW racers that were the prize cars of Forza Motorsport's BMW Tour series update.


Let's start with the 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL, which I won by completing the Open Class Tour in this update before the deadline on February 12, 2025. We already have one 3.0 CSL race car in the game, but this new one is designed for the European Touring Car Championship, while the existing one is built for IMSA GT purposes. Anyway, some facts.

Based on the E9 3.0 CS Coupe, the BMW 3.0 CSL is one of the company's most iconic race cars when it was introduced in 1972 and nicknamed by car enthusiasts as the "Batmobile" due to its unique aerodynamic enhancements.

Under the hood lies the namesake 3.0L straight-six engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. In its racing specification, it produces around 470hp, depending on the version.

In its Group 2 configuration, it competed in the European Touring Car Championship with its drivers winning Drivers titles six times in 1973 and 1975 to 1979. In 1976, the CSL competed in its Group 5 Special Production specification, winning three rounds of the World Championship for Makes.


Next up, the 2023 BMW #96 Turner Motorsports M4 GT3 that I won from clearing the BMW Tour until February 26, 2025. At last, the latest BMW M4 GT3 arrived in the game and players can recreate its liveries as seen on Super GT, DTM, WEC, IMSA, and others where this race car is involved.

Turner Motorsports is one of the well-known teams that competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GTD class. For 2023, their weapon of choice is a BMW M4 GT3 race car, based on the G82 M4.

The G82 M4 GT3 race car is made to compete in GT3-class races worldwide. Powering this race car is a 3.0L turbocharged straight-six engine producing up to 590HP of power, depending on the BoP adjustments in specific races. It is mated with a 6-speed sequential gearbox and a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.

Driven by a mix of professional drivers, including Bill Auberlen, who is one of BMW's ace drivers, Turner Motorsports' 2023 campaign sought some podium finishes in its class. However, in the 2024 season, the #96 Turner Motorsports BMW M4 GT3's moment of fame came to fruition by winning the GTD class in Road America.



To highlight the strengths of these Bavarian racers in their racing overalls, I traveled to Daytona to test two BMW race cars. The track is still feeling the effects of last weekend's 24-hour endurance race and seems to be getting ready for this year's NASCAR season if you know what I mean.

Anyway, let's roll the tapes.



Barbaric, the BMW way. That's all I can say.

Enjoy your new rides!

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