12.03.2024First Procar polesitter: Jacques Laffite's BMW M1

On May 12th, 1979, almost 20 BMW M1s rolled onto the starting grid for the first time as part of the Formula 1 supporting program in Zolder, Belgium. With Jacques Laffite, there was a driver at the head of the one-make cup field, who competed for Ligier in the premier class on the same weekend. This curiosity was made possible by the revolutionary concept of the BMW M1 Procar-series, which debuted this weekend. The fastest Formula 1-drivers from Friday training contested the races against established sports car drivers.

With this unique and nowadays unthinkable format, the BMW M1 Procar-series is unforgettable. And this despite the fact that it could possibly be described as an emergency solution. The M1 was never conceived as a one-make trophy vehicle. Instead, BMW wanted to compete with other manufacturers in international sports car racing. For this reason, the M1 was designed from the ground up as a racing car, from which a road variant was derived, which in turn was necessary for the homologation of the racing car. However, due to hurdles in the production process, the series cars were completed much more slowly than planned and, as a result, the homologation of the racing car was delayed.

BMW decided to make a virtue of necessity and initially bring the M1 to the racetrack in a one-make series with a special twist. Jochen Neerpasch's motorsport department teamed up with Formula 1 managers Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley to not only place the Procar series on the local race weekends, but also to let the fastest drivers from Formula 1 training compete against sports car professionals. The initial skepticism quickly disappeared and the starting positions in the Procar series were also highly sought after by the Formula 1 greats. Especially since the overall winner received a production M1 as an exclusive souvenir at the end of the season.

Jacques Laffite was denied this success. The Frenchman was unable to convert his debut pole in Zolder into a victory due to an early retirement. Elio de Angelis grabbed him instead. The next day, Laffite achieved second place in the Formula 1 Grand Prix. And during the Procar season he followed suit again and was able to win the race at the Österreichring, today's Red Bull Ring. Laffite finished sixth overall.

In addition to the bare numbers, there are unforgettable memories of the Procar series. In addition, the look and sound of the BMW M1 still give you goosebumps in historic racing today. So it's no wonder that the Munich super sports car in racing trim is also in great demand as a miniature version. The ck-modelcars label Werk83 already has a number of versions of the M1 in its range and is now also offering the model with which the six-time Grand Prix winner Jacques Laffite took part in the Procar series in 1979.

The scale of 1:18, faithfully reproduced car shines in the typical BMW racing colors and with the distinctive “Laffite” lettering on the doors, windshield and hood. The model is delivered including decals. The interior has also been faithfully reproduced, the doors can be opened and the front wheels can be steered.

BMW M1 ProCar #26 BMW M1 ProCar Series 1979 Jacques Laffite 1:18 WERK83, RRP €69,95, item-no.: W1803022

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BMW M1 ProCar #26 BMW M1 ProCar series 1979 Jacques Laffite 1:18 WERK83

62,96 €