Imagine that today: the Formula 1 elite also getting behind the wheel of identical sports cars on Grand Prix weekends and contesting their own one-make series. That was exactly the Procar series — conceived by BMW motorsport boss Jochen Neerpasch, run in 1979 and 1980 with the BMW M1.
The Concept
In 1979, the series ran as a support event at eight European Grands Prix, plus a ninth race at Donington. The fastest Formula 1 drivers from Friday practice met privateers and touring car greats — all in technically identical M1 cars. The appeal lay in the equality of the equipment: whoever won, won as a driver.
The Car
The Procar M1s ran with the M88/1 built by Paul Rosche’s team: 470 PS at 9,000 rpm, compared to 277 PS in the road-going M1. The champion’s prize was an M1 for the road — a trophy you could park.
Two seasons, two world champions as winners
| Season | Champion | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Niki Lauda | 8 GP support races + Donington |
| 1980 | Nelson Piquet | GP support + standalone races |
Niki Lauda took the first title in 1979, Nelson Piquet the second in 1980 — both later became multiple Formula 1 world champions. Our cover image shows Bruno Giacomelli in the Osella-entered M1 at the Procar race in Monaco in 1979.
Why it ended
After 1980, it was over, for two reasons: BMW focused on its entry into Formula 1 as an engine supplier, and on 1 December 1980 the M1 achieved its Group 4 homologation — the series’ original sporting purpose had been fulfilled. What remains is perhaps the most elegant answer to an eternal question: what happens when everyone drives the same car?
Sources: Wikipedia (EN): BMW M1 Procar Championship. Photo: Carlomarzetti (CC BY 4.0), Wikimedia Commons — Giacomelli, Monaco 1979.
Bildnachweise
- Lizenziert · Carlomarzetti · CC BY 4.0