When BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded on May 1, 1972, the goal was immediate success – and the BMW 3.0 CSL touring car coupé developed shortly thereafter dominated international racetracks for years, surpassing all expectations. Jochen Neerpasch was the first head of the newly-founded team of specialists to gather a group of race car drivers at BMW – making M the fastest letter in the world. As early as 1973, the racing world was increasingly red, violet and blue – especially on the bodywork of the CSL Coupé, which Hans-Joachim Stuck and Chris Amon drove on the Nürburgring for a 6-hour, 42-lap race to the finish line. In the same race, Niki Lauda set a new 8-minute, 21.3 second lap record with the second BMW factory car. But this was only the beginning. Since 1979, no one has surpassed the BMW 3.0 CSL at six European Championships.