BMW M1 PROCAR RACING

Formula One fans know that the race itself is but the finale to several, exciting days of racing.

Qualifying is determined on Friday, while Sunday is the day of the race.

In 1979 and 1980, Formula One Grand Prix spectators got a very special treat ... Procar racing on Saturday.

The race car drivers were the fastest qualifiers from Friday.

click for a larger image

The race car used for Saturday's event was the specially prepared BMW M1.

BMW Motorsport produced 50 identically equipped M1's for the Procar race.

In a way, the Procar series was the forerunner of the popular IROC (International Race of Champions)  series held in the USA, where champion drivers race identically equipped cars.

The Procar series was created by Bernie Ecclestone (the "godfather" of Formula One), Jochen Neerpasch of BMW Motorsport and Max Moseley.

The Procar M1's used the 24-valve inline 6-cylinder M88/1 engine with 500 hp and a top speed approaching 200 mph. When turbocharged, the engine was capable of almost 1000 hp!

Except for Ferrari and Renault, all the F1 drivers competed in Procar.

Niki Lauda won the 1979 Procar championship, while Nelson Piquet finished first in 1980.

Other F1 competitors included Mario Andretti, Eddie Cheevers, Emerson Fittipaldi, Alan Jones, Jochen Mass, Dieter Quester, Carlos Reutemann, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Marc Surer.