BMW V12 LMR 1999 #15 by Kyosho
Race/Series: Le Mans 24 Hours 1999
Result: Outright Winner, 366 laps
Drivers: Pierluigi Martini (I)/Yannick Dalmas (F)/Joachim Winkelhock (D)
The Le Mans 24 Hours was not a new experience to BMW in 1999. They had participated as early as 1939, but 1999 was their one and only outright win to date. The McLaren F1 had been powered to victory in 1995 by a BMW V12, but 1999 was the first time a BMW chassis and engine had won the race. BMW's modern day Le Mans programme had begun in 1998, but both BMW V12 LMs failed to make much of an impression, retiring a few hours in to the race with wheel bearing problems. However, the experience in 1998 contributed heavily to the design of the V12 LMR, and in 1999 BMW returned with much more success, and a virtually new car that would set the blueprint for prototypes to come, including the Audi R8. Powered by a six litre normally aspirated V12, the number 15 car completed 365 laps, just one more than the second placed Toyota GT-One. Though not so quick as the Toyota's on a single lap, the BMW had the fuel economy and reliability to beat them over the 24 Hours distance.
The model is by Kyosho in 1:18 scale, and though there are a few versions available, it was of course the Le Mans winning car that earned a place in my collection.
