
The secret path BMW took to success in Le Mans' past manufacturer boom
A quarter of a century ago, BMW took its first outright success in the Le Mans 24 Hours with Williams. But the story could have been very different

BMW powered the Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing McLaren F1 GTR to victory in 1995
Photo by: Sutton Images

Rosche (left) and Murray had been collaborators previously at the Brabham Formula 1 team
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Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 33rd as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 80 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton close to the former workshops of the Cooper Formula 1 team but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
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