GT racing at the beginning of the millennium was highly competitive due in part to the rise of GT1, but also endurance racing was proving to be very popular.
There was FIA GT Championship for GT1 and GT2 in addition to the American Le Mans Series, the original European version including the legendary 24 hour race at Le Sarthe enticing manufacturers to join the competition.
Porsche is synonymous with endurance racing having achieved umpteenth 24 Hours of Le Mans victories and a dominant force in GT racing.
Ahead of the 2000 season Porsche’s GT3-R was released and dominated the GT2 category across the world and BMW in the US wanted dethrone the king.
Partnering with Tom Milner’s Prototype Technology Group (better known as PTG) to produce the GT3-R toppling M3 GTR proved a masterstroke from BMW as did its reading of the regulations.
Back then, just two examples of the road-going counterpart were required to be offered for sale on as many continents.
This enabled PTG to developed the then-new E46 M3 into a fire breathing beast using the rules to replace the straight six in the road version to a purpose-built 4.0-litre V8 courtesy of 10 special editions.
Introducing the M3 GTR at Sebring where finished on the podium behind the works Porsche team and set a GT course record during the race.
Of course, it didn’t take too lo g to score a win courtesy of BMW’s long-time partner Team Schnitzer at one of the ALMS’s two flyaway events at Jarama, Portugal.
PTG won when the ALMS returned to US shores at Sears Point until Porsche arrived with more firepower to end the season via the RS and despite winning minimal races defeated BMW for the title.
At the conclusion of the season, ALMS governing body ACO changed the rules due in part to BMW not entering Le Mans and also believing the M3 GTR wasn’t in the spirit of the rules. This led to a significant increase to the road versions required to be produced to become homologated and a 20 percent restrictor reduction.
PTG built five and the last raced at the second Bathurst 24 Hour in 2003 by PHR Scuderia featuring the likes of John Bowe, Neil Crompton and Greg Crick among the line-up.
A collision involving eventual winner Peter Brock led to the BMW’s demise in the race after Bowe had qualified it third.
It was a tough lead up as the M3 GTR arrived just a fortnight before the event leading to teething problems and a lack of seat time after being touted as a favourite in the lead up.
The M3 GTR remains a favourite for many race fans and ended Porsche’s dominance until the rules were changed.