Organisers vow to lure back BMW

BMW's M3 GTR, which dominated the GT class of the ALMS last year, has been hit by new rule restrictions that will hamper the competitiveness of the car. The PTG team tested at Sebring with the new power-sapping air restrictors and found the M3 to be three seconds slower.

Panoz Motor Sports Group president Scott Atherton, the man in charge of the ALMS, said: "BMW has been a participant in the ALMS since its inception in 1999 and has brought a great deal to the series, not only in terms of star drivers and cars, but also strong marketing support. We worked closely with BMW AG and BMW North America in an effort to resolve the situation and while we are deeply disappointed, we are confident of BMW's return to ALMS racing in 2003."

The decision looks likely to leave PTG without a racing programme this year, but crack German team Schnitzer, which conquered the GT class last year with Jorg Muller, will switch to the European Touring Car Championship.

For details of BMW's pull-out, click here.