The timing could not have been more fortuitous. Fifty years ago, BMW was aiming to become a serious player in the US market, and after a years-long legal battle with European car-dealer Max Hoffman, it was finally allowed to establish itself as an importer. BMW North America was officially founded March 15, 1975 — and less than a week later, BMW Motorsport won the 12 Hours of Sebring. It remains one of the automaker’s most important victories.
BMW Motorsport company was founded in 1972 and quickly became very successful in European touring car racing. But by the mid-70s, it had to look abroad to continue racing. “The reason we came [to America] is because of the energy crisis in Europe,” recalls Jochen Neerpasch, the founder of BMW Motorsport, in an interview with Motorsport.com. “Motorsport was not the tool to sell cars at the time. [In Germany,] we had a general speed limit, we weren’t allowed to drive on Sundays, so motorsport was counterproductive.”
