Racing News

At the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, BMW USA Classic unveiled a newly restored 1970 BMW Alpina 2002ti and let former Roundel columnist Sam Smith get behind the wheel. This racing 2002ti was originally built by German BMW constructor/tuner/race team ALPINA GmbH in 1970 and features ALPINA’s signature Weber side draft carburetors, engine upgrades, flared fenders and three piece ALPINA alloy wheels. In late 1970, the car was sold to Vasek Polak BMW of Hermosa Beach, California. The car was then campaigned by Competition of Torrance in SCCA events for the 1971 and 1972 seasons and before retiring.

The car spent the next 24 years in storage before being purchased by BMW of North America, completely reconditioned and painted in non-period-correct BMW Motorsport livery and entered for the BMW celebration at the 1996 Monterey Historic Races. Nick Craw, John Morton, Danica Patrick, Boris Said, Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner have all vintage raced the car since its rebirth. 

In early 2014, the car was restored to its original 1970 BMW ALPINA Team Orange with Semi-Gloss Black hood and rear deck livery with the help of ALPINA GmbH. At this years Rolex Reunion, the BMW ALPINA 2002ti will be driven by Road & Track Editor Sam Smith in Group 3B: 1963-1973 FIA Manufacturers Championship with races on Sunday, August 21.