Is a track car with heaps of power really any good if it’s not dependable? If the 2003 BMW M3 Lawrence Shue entered into the 2023 Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge Presented by Grassroots Motorsports is anything to go by, the answer is apparently no.
Instead of big power with questionable reliability, Lawrence kept the M3’s S54 engine stock aside from “longevity upgrades” that include improved cooling and oiling systems.
The upgrades to improve durability don’t end there, however, as the BMW is also fitted with reinforced mounting points for both the roll cage and a number of suspension components. Just as well, each corner features coil-over suspension, upgraded bushings and Apex wheels fitted with Falken RT660 tires.
Will those longevity upgrades be enough to ensure the M3 can go the distance and be crowned the ultimate track car? There’s only one place to find out–and it’s at the 2023 Ultimate Track Car Challenge, set for October 12-15 at NCM Motorsports Park.
What is the Ultimate Track Car Challenge? It’s our annual no-holds-barred track competition that simply seeks the fastest machines on four wheels. The rules are brief: Car and driver must pass a safety inspection. Period.
Pretty much everything is welcome: new, old, factory-bought and home-built. Wings are cool. So are box flares, giant intercoolers and sequential shifters.
Learn more, including how you can register today, by visiting ultimatetrackcarchallenge.com.
The Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge is presented by Tire Rack and Sunoco, the official fuel of the UTCC, in association with Wilwood Engineering, HP Tuners, SPA Technique, DeatschWerks and CRC Industries, with trophies from Track Advantage, Stifflers, BimmerWorld, HGSI, XS Batteries and Hoosier Tire. Thank you to the SCCA for sanctioning the UTCC.
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