Autoblog

BMW has announced that the legendary M1 Procar series will return for a one-time curtain call in support of the upcoming German Grand Prix at Hockenheim on July 19-20. The series originally ran in fields of 20 in support of the 1979 and 1980 European Grands Prix. Fifteen young aspiring drivers would face off against the five fastest F1 drivers from that Friday's practice session in homologated M1s. The only mid-engined BMW sportscar was originally unveiled thirty years ago and retains a cult status among enthusiasts, to which BMW recently paid tribute to with the M1 Homage.

According to BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen – also head of the BMW Sauber F1 team – "Just a mention of the M1 Procar series today still triggers an enthusiastic reaction. This revival serves as a thank you to the fans." This year's revival will feature many of the original drivers who campaigned the M1s in the original Procar series, including Jacques Laffite, Christian Danner, Marc Surer, Dieter Quester, Harald Grohs, Prince Leopold of Bavaria, Jochen Neerpasch, and Frank Stella. Follow the jump for the full press release, and check out the images in the galleries below for a trip down memory pit-lane.

[Source: BMW Motorsport]

As is the case with many uber-exotics, using the term 'road car' is subjective. With the Maserati MC12, that designation is stretched even further. So what's the best venue to showcase the virtues of such a vehicle? None other than the world-famous Hockenheim circuit in Germany.

The Enzo-based, homologation special gives up the goods to those of you with a speed fetish, with plenty of drive time, including a lap of the MC12 with a track map superimposed on the screen, so you can see the setup and execution of every glorious turn.

Dim the lights, crank the volume and enjoy.

[Source: Streetfire.net]

When F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone announced the 2007 season calendar, Germany (like Italy) was left with one race, whereas in seasons past it hosted two: the German Grand Prix (at Hockenheim) and the European Grand Prix (at the legendary Nürburgring). After revealing that the "European" race would get the axe, negotiations began over the venue for the sole German Grand Prix: would it be held at Hockenheim as it has been for the last several years, or would it shift to the 'Ring?

Well, the results are in, and the Nürburgring will get the race next year. Beyond 2007, we could see an arrangement that has the race alternate between the two tracks, each hosting the German Grand Prix every other year, though no such announcement has been made.
UPDATE: Just such an announcement has now been made. The Nurburgring will get the race in 2007 and 2009, and Hockenheim in 2008 and 2010, after which the arrangement will presumably be revisited.

While it's a shame to lose Hockenheim for the upcoming season (at least), with more courses than races, something had to give, and the 'Ring is generally regarded as the better track.

[Source: F1i.com]