The BMW M1 driven by Niki Lauda to victory in the inaugural 1979 European Procar Championship is widely regarded by motorsport enthusiasts as one of the most inspiring — yet often overlooked — race cars in history.
The BMW M1 Procar Championship was a unique one-make racing series that brought together elite drivers from across the motorsport world. Competitors included stars from Formula One, the World Sportscar Championship, the European Touring Car Championship, and other international series, all racing identically prepared, factory-built BMW M1s.
Conceived as a way to unite top drivers from different disciplines, the championship ran primarily as a support series for select European rounds of the 1979 Formula One season. Formula One drivers earned automatic entry based on their F1 performance, creating a rare and thrilling crossover between categories. Austrian legend Niki Lauda claimed the first Procar title in 1979, while the 1980 championship — which expanded beyond the Formula One calendar — was won by Brazil’s Nelson Piquet.
Mechanically, the Procar-spec BMW M1 was a dramatic departure from the road-going version. Power came from the mid-mounted BMW M88 straight-six engine, a cast-iron 3,453 cc unit producing an astonishing 470 horsepower at 9,000 rpm — a significant leap from the 277 hp of the standard M1. The original five-speed ZF gearbox casing was retained but adapted to allow multiple gear ratios and fitted with its own oil cooler.
The suspension system was completely redesigned, featuring adjustable anti-roll bars, while the braking system was reengineered to allow driver-adjustable brake bias in place of the road car’s servo-assisted setup. Power steering was replaced with a racing steering rack, and all non-essential components were stripped out. The result was a race car weighing just 1,020 kilograms and capable of reaching a top speed of 311 km/h (193 mph).
Each Procar M1 reportedly cost around AUD $70,000 at the time, and the championship winner was rewarded with a brand-new BMW M1 road car — one of only 400 ever produced.
Despite its success and popularity, BMW chose not to continue the Procar Championship beyond 1980. Instead, the company shifted its focus to Formula One engine development, creating the legendary BMW M12/13 turbocharged inline-four. This engine powered the Brabham team between 1982 and 1987, delivering Nelson Piquet the 1983 Formula One World Championship and later being supplied to teams including ATS, Arrows, Benetton, and Ligier.
This video serves as a powerful reminder of why Niki Lauda’s BMW M1 Procar remains so special. Beyond its historic championship win, it captivates with the raw sound and ferocious performance of its straight-six engine, combined with one of the most iconic silhouettes in racing history.
Photo: BMW Group Media
