The unpopular BMW stalwart built for the big occasion
It has won most of the big prizes in endurance racing across its six years in service, but the BMW M6 GT3's key weaknesses meant only a devoted few teams persisted with running it. As it prepares to bow out at season's end, the teams and drivers involved in its story share the secrets of an unpopular winner
It has a roll of honour that would be the envy of many major manufacturers. Twice a winner of the Spa 24 Hours, the BMW M6 GT3 has conquered the Nurburgring 24 Hours, the Macau FIA GT World Cup, and been a serial winner in the Nurburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS, formerly VLN). One of four cars to win a race in the first season of the DTM's new era in 2021, it stands a good chance of winning two major titles in its swansong season, five years after its 2016 introduction.
So it will be remembered fondly in the history books. Yet for all its on-track successes, the M6 GT3 has been commercially unsuccessful beyond a hardcore base of stalwart BMW squads that have kept it winning against more fashionable opposition, and unpopular with amateur drivers who are the backbone of the global formula.
Related video
Engel calls for better standards from lapped cars after "lottery" Nurburgring 24H
Engel calls for better standards from lapped cars after "lottery" Nurburgring 24H Engel calls for better standards from lapped cars after "lottery" Nurburgring 24H
Aitken: DTM title challenge "very difficult" even without missing a race
Aitken: DTM title challenge "very difficult" even without missing a race Aitken: DTM title challenge "very difficult" even without missing a race
Ligier, Bosch join forces on hydrogen car to be revealed at Le Mans
Ligier, Bosch join forces on hydrogen car to be revealed at Le Mans Ligier, Bosch join forces on hydrogen car to be revealed at Le Mans
The British sportscar racer enjoying a well-timed career peak
The British sportscar racer enjoying a well-timed career peak The British sportscar racer enjoying a well-timed career peak
WRT didn't know Spa WEC LMP2 win was on until 12 minutes to go
WRT didn't know Spa WEC LMP2 win was on until 12 minutes to go WRT didn't know Spa WEC LMP2 win was on until 12 minutes to go
WEC Spa: Toyota claims 1-2 finish in hectic race
WEC Spa: Toyota claims 1-2 finish in hectic race WEC Spa: Toyota claims 1-2 finish in hectic race
Kobayashi concerned by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa
Kobayashi concerned by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa Kobayashi concerned by "crazy dangerous" WEC out-laps on cold tyres at Spa
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
Ford calls for transparency in Supercars parity battle
Ford calls for transparency in Supercars parity battle Ford calls for transparency in Supercars parity battle
Justin Allgaier wins tense Xfinity fuel-mileage race at Charlotte
Justin Allgaier wins tense Xfinity fuel-mileage race at Charlotte Justin Allgaier wins tense Xfinity fuel-mileage race at Charlotte
Coulthard to make Porsche return
Coulthard to make Porsche return Coulthard to make Porsche return
Byron needed "a little bit more" to beat Blaney at Charlotte
Byron needed "a little bit more" to beat Blaney at Charlotte Byron needed "a little bit more" to beat Blaney at Charlotte
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.