GrB Bmw M1

The BMW M1 GrB used many parts developed for the defunct BMW M1 Procar Series and carried over very similar specifications. The already wide and low-slung M1 was made almost four inches larger than factory via use of fibreglass fender flares and a large rear spoiler was implemented to aid in providing much needed high speed traction. In some other instances, ex- Procar race cars were used and modified to rally / street legal specifications.
The 277 BHP M88-code normally aspirated straight-six engine was modified to produce up to 430 BHP, which was much more than any other rally car offering at the time of its introduction to the sport. The power was transferred to the rear wheels via a shorter gearing 5-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. Other improvements included reinforced hubs with a central knock-off system for quicker wheel changes and larger brakes with aluminium calipers.
The BMW M1 first competed at world championship level on the 1983 Tour of Corsica, the same event as Lancia's 037. Driven by Bernard Béguin, it produced 430Bhp from it's 3.5l 6cyl engine, and weighed 1150kg. The car was run by the ORECA team and sponsored by BMW & Motul. The car retired from the event but went on to score two second places, one on the 1983 Lyon-Charbonnieres rally and another at the Antibes rally. Main problems with the car were reliability and size. It was a good twenty cm wider than anything else competing at the time. The car never competed on a gravel event