If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of the USA Grid Life and Global Attack Series, or simply spent a day at legendary race tracks like COTA, Mid Ohio, Road America, Lime Rock or of course Laguna Seca and seen and heard M3 with naturally aspirated engine heroically trying to push the cars through the corners despite the enormous aero-drag that keeps the car on the track at insane speeds – then chances are you’ve seen Brad Perkins behind the wheel of his work of art BMW M3 GTR. Seeing this car is truly a spectacle, and we wanted to learn more about it and share this story. And Brad was more than happy to oblige.
I am a diehard e46 M3 fan, to me it is one of the most iconic and prolific racing chassis ever made. The GTR is what spurred my love for racing and with that the original goal for this car was to create my own version of that legendary race car. It started life with a BMW S62 power plant and although that is still powering the car to this day it originally started naturally aspirated. The first iteration made roughly 440 whp, now with the addition of the Vortech supercharger we are almost double that. The car in NA form was glorious, everything I dreamed the M3 GTR would be. It wasn’t until our first Grid Life event that we knew we needed more aero and more power. That is what started the transformation that got us to the car as it sits today. We went wider with bodywork from 2M Autowerks so that we could fit the massive Signature wheels. We are running 305mm fronts and 325mm rear tires which is huge for this chassis. To help the car stick we partnered with Zebulon MSC to develop an aero package that would help keep this car planted through the high speed corners. Now that we have proven the concept the goal is more!!! More power and more speed. We want to have the fastest street tire time attack car in the United States.
For more speed you need more power, and that power needs to be put through the gears well, and that’s where Samsonas Motorsport came in.
This BMW is pushing 850 whp so we knew we wanted something that would hold up to the abuse. Samsonas was at the top of the list and from the moment it went in the car it’s been a game changer. The Samsonas paired with our Emtron ECU truly took the car to the next level.
So what makes this car so special? Here are a few details Brad shared:
- Engine – Partee Racing Derived BMW S62 (840whp/640ft-lbs)
- Carillo Rods
- JE Custom Partee Spec Pistons 11.5:1
- Custom Spec FI Cam
- +1mm Intake Valves
- Inconel Exhaust Valves
- Solid Lifter Conversion for 8,000 rpm
- Dailey Engineering Dry Sump Oil System
- Vortech Supercharger – 14psi
- Transmission / Diff
- Samsonas 6-Speed Sequential
- Diffsonline Race Carrier 10-Clutch
- Suspension
- Motion Control Suspension 3-Way Adjustable
- Bimmerworld Tubular Lower Control Arms
- Ground Control Bump Steer Correction
- Ground Control Camber Plates
- Ground Control Sway Bars
- Ground Control Rear Control Arms
- Brakes
- Performance Friction Front and Rear 4-Piston Calipers
- Body/Aero
- 2M Autowerks Widebody Kit
- Zebulon Front Splitter
- Zebulon Rear Wing
- AJ Hartman Rear Diffuser
- Custom Flat Floor
After this list, the question arose as to whether there might be any more special features or unusual solutions in this car?
I’m not sure I would call anything on this car special, maybe just pushed to the limits. As far as I’m aware we have the highest horse power for a supercharged S62 engine out there. Especially that is competing on circuit courses.
So back to the races and the legendary tracks in the USA. This car certainly had to set some lap records and take a few awards in the trunk. Brad Perkins made sure this car was in the spotlight with his talent behind the wheel.
We race this car all across North America with Grid Life and Global Time Attack. This year alone we raced at a number of legendary circuits. COTA, Mid Ohio, Road America, Lime Rock and Laguna Seca were just a few of the tracks we visited this year. We captured 3 1st place victories, 2nd places and broke 2 class lap records on the way to finishing 2nd in the season Grid Life points in the Track Mod class. Unfortunately we weren’t able to make final event of the year where our main rival won and we lost the championship by 1 point.
Got hooked about this car? We really are. And waiting for more, so what’s next for Brad and his GTR?
Less weight and more power!!! Our goal for 2025 is 200 more hp and 200 less pounds and to continue to develop the chassis and aero package.
