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Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
SPEEDtv.com
07/30/2008 - 03:09 PM
Dublin, VA
The BimmerWorld-tuned 2008 BMW 135 performed admirably, winning its class on its One Lap debut. (Photo: BimmerWorld) » More Photos
What started out as a fun project amongst friends quickly turned into competitive results when the renowned BimmerWorld BMW tuning shop started the 2008 One Lap of America competition in a newly developed BimmerWorld BMW 135.
The 'One Lap', is famous for its cross-country trek where entrants are pitted against one another at different racetracks and racing disciplines, and serves as one of the toughest tests for any vehicle to survive. While all three drivers, BimmerWorld owner James Clay, car owner Alex May, and Victor Hall had competed in the One Lap previously, the choice to enter a 135 was the first for the car and a first for the shop.
The 135, while still an untapped performance machine in the American market, was transformed from a completely stock street car into a street-legal but wickedly fast coupe at BimmerWorld's Dublin, Virginia-based operations in record time.
"From the moment we received the car, we had just two weeks to evaluate the areas of performance we could improve, to design and build those parts, to fit and install them, and to track test and tune the car before it had to leave for the One Lap," said Clay.
"Because we run a full-time three-car BMW road racing team, we're accustomed to tackling tough performance part development on a tight schedule. It normally takes a specialty tuning shop a few months to do what we did with the 135 in fourteen days, but as the results proved, our 135 was faster and more reliable than anything else in our class."
The unique week-long event format pits drivers and cars against each other at a variety of tracks throughout the United States. A lack of sleep is one of the key ingredients. (Photo: BimmerWorld) » More Photos
For car owner May, the class win and impressive finish capped an amazing experience. "The car was awesome, and as a car that just came out of the factory a couple of months prior, it was a bit of a novelty everywhere we went. None of the guys in the 'Vettes, 'Vipers, or 911s knew what to do when they found our little car keeping pace or passing them. I love the 'David vs. Goliath' aspect of our 135, and it lived up to its role as 'David' the entire time. This car was just well done and fast...maybe some of those 'big money' guys need to think small for the next One Lap..."
Victor Hall knew the turbocharged 135 was primed for a serious power boost with the upgrade kit BimmerWorld had in mind. "When BMW came out with the 135, it was as though they heard our wish for some forced induction. Last time Alex and I ran, we did it in a prototype Spec E30 with 120 horsepower, so I was pretty excited about having a real fire-breathing Ferrari-killer."
While BimmerWorld used the One Lap as on opportunity to test, punish, and improve their BMW 135 performance upgrades, the shop came away with confirmation that all of the pieces they used to win their class in the event are ready and will soon be available for customers to purchase for their own 1-series.
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