BMW is to return to the American Le Mans Series in 2008 after confirming that Rahal Letterman Racing will enter the next-generation M3 Coupe into the GT2 class this year.
The car, officially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, is set to hit the track late this year before Rahal Letterman embarks on a full-season racing with two cars in 2009 – expanding a class that already features entries from the likes of Aston Martin, Porsche, Ford and Panoz.
"This is another monumental day for the American Le Mans Series - we have had a phenomenal start to '08 and this big news from BMW adds to our momentum," series president and CEO Scott Atherton said. "BMW represents one of the cornerstones on which the American Le Mans Series was built and has maintained a loyal following of dedicated owners and fans since that time. We are thrilled to embrace this effort from BMW with Rahal Letterman Racing."
The new car will be powered by a 485bhp eight cylinder engine and is based on the fourth-generation of the hugely popular M3, with BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen admitting that taking the car to the race-track was a logical step for the German marque.
"With the sporting genes of the production BMW M3 being clearly evident, developing a racing version of the car was the next logical step," he said. "The fact that the road-going vehicle is fitted with a V8 engine as standard provided us with an ideal base.
"However, the BMW M3 is more than a race car, it has achieved legendary status amongst race fans across the globe. I am convinced that this unique story of the BMW M3 racing cars will now be expanded upon by the addition of further chapters."
Bobby Rahal, whose team entered the ALMS for the first time last season running a Porsche in GT2, added that he was delighted with the partnership.
![BMW will return to the ALMS with the latest generation of the M3 [Pic credit: BMW Motorsport]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/405462.jpg)
