In relation to BMW Motorsport historical past, one title stands above the remaining—Jochen Neerpasch. Because the first-ever BMW Motorsport director, Neerpasch didn’t simply set up BMW’s high-performance division; he laid the inspiration for BMW M, the M1 supercar, and the long-lasting Procar Collection. His work continues to affect BMW’s motorsport and highway automotive divisions to this present day.
On this unique interview earlier than the 2025 Daytona Rolex 24, we sat down with the person himself to uncover never-before-told tales about his time at BMW and past. From his early days as a racing driver to his groundbreaking management in motorsport, Neerpasch shares the main points of tasks that modified the BMW world eternally, if not the automotive world.
From Racing Champion to BMW Motorsport Boss
Earlier than taking the reins at BMW Motorsport, Jochen Neerpasch was a extremely expert racing driver, profitable the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona with a Porsche 907 LH. However his true impression on motorsport got here off the monitor. In 1972, BMW formally based its Motorsport division, with Neerpasch on the helm. His purpose? To remodel BMW right into a motorsport powerhouse and produce a brand new stage of engineering and efficiency to each the monitor and the highway.
However the highway to success wasn’t straightforward. Within the early days, Neerpasch inherited a number of packages—from System 2 and the three.0 CSL racing undertaking to rallying efforts—all needing a structured imaginative and prescient. He shortly set the course for BMW Motorsport’s dominance.
The Beginning of the BMW M1 and Its Untold Secrets and techniques
One of the vital fascinating tales Neerpasch reveals is the unique idea for the BMW M1—a undertaking that was initially meant to be greater than only a supercar. The plan? A 3-in-one car: a V8-powered System 1 engine, a V8-powered road-going supercar and a Group 5 silhouette race automotive.
However as historical past tells us, the M1 by no means acquired its V8 engine. As a substitute, the undertaking shifted to an inline-six, and BMW turned to Lamborghini for help. Neerpasch explains why Lamborghini was the one producer that might tackle the duty and divulges the within story of how the undertaking practically collapsed earlier than BMW took it in-house.
The M1 Procar Collection: A Motorsport Revolution
With the M1 manufacturing delays, Neerpasch devised an revolutionary plan to get the automotive on the monitor: the M1 Procar Collection. This one-make championship noticed F1 legends like Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Mario Andretti racing an identical BMW M1s as a help collection for System 1.
However what was the true goal behind the collection? Was it a advertising transfer, a contest testbed, or a strategy to bypass FIA laws? Neerpasch provides us the actual story behind Procar’s creation.
The Thriller of the BMW M Emblem & Colours
Few symbols are as recognizable because the BMW M tricolor emblem, however its origins stay a thriller with conflicting tales. Neerpasch addresses this head-on, explaining the true which means behind the blue, violet, and crimson stripes and the way BMW partnered with Texaco within the early days to develop the branding.
BMW Artwork Automobiles: The place Racing Meets Excessive Artwork
BMW’s Artwork Automobile program is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, and Neerpasch was instrumental in its inception. However how did BMW persuade world-renowned artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol to color race automobiles? Neerpasch shares behind-the-scenes insights on how this now-legendary program started.
How Has Racing Modified? A Motorsport Legend’s Perspective
With a long time of expertise in motorsport, Neerpasch has witnessed the **evolution of racing from uncooked, mechanical talent to data-driven precision. However has racing misplaced its thrill within the course of? Neerpasch shares his ideas on how fashionable motorsport compares to the golden period of the Nineteen Seventies and 80s.
To listen to all of the untold tales, behind-the-scenes insights, and Neerpasch’s tackle BMW M’s legacy, watch the complete video under! Don’t overlook to subscribe for extra unique BMW content material.
