Spec E30 Explained

Spec E30 is a class of racing cars used in National Auto Sport Association (NASA) road racing events.

Concept

The goal for Spec E30 is to create high levels of competition among similarly prepared BMW E30 3 Series cars at a reasonable cost. It is intended to encourage low-cost, entry-level, production car based competition. It has been called "the next big thing" in club-level racing by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine.

Cars

The series consists of U.S.-spec BMW E30 325i coupes and sedans, sold between 1987 and 1991. All cars in the series use the BMW M20B25 engine. Convertibles built to series specs and with log books issued prior to November 1, 2011, are still allowed to compete, but this model has been sunsetted out of the series.^[1]

As a "specified" class, the rules allow for a limited number of modifications, predominantly involving required suspension parts.

Required components include:

• • M20B25 Getrag 260 5-speed transmission
• 3.73 Rear differential final drive ratio
• Stock/unmodified ECU
• H&R Race spring set
• Bilstein Sport shocks
• Spec series tire (which is currently the Toyo RR or RA1 in 205/50/15 size)
• Minimum weight with driver at the end of the race is 2700 pounds

Allowed modifications include rebuilding of the original BMW motor, but it must follow factory specifications. And even then, there is now a reward weight system that is used based on the actual output from a sanctioned dynamometer (maximum class allowed is 162.9). As well, a model dyno plot is used to compare all competitors engine output for distinct anomalies.^[2]

Series Winners

National^{[3] [4]}

Year	Location	1st	2nd	3rd
2019	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Daniel Goldburg	Olivier Bellanger	Robert Grace
2018	Circuit of the Americas	Tim Barber	Sylas Montgomery	Alex Barroso
2013	Miller Motorsports Park	N/A (No entries)	N/A (No entries)	N/A (No entries)
2012	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Anthony Magagnoli	Charlie Hayes	Eric Palacio
2011	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Robert Grace	Eric Palacio	Jonathan Allen
2010	Miller Motorsports Park Outer Course	Frans Hansen	Gary Rieger	Chris Cobetto
2009	Miller Motorsports Park Outer Course	Chris Cobetto	Steve Ferrario	Stephen DeVinney
2008	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Mike Skeen	Simon Hunter	Carter Hunt
2007	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Chris Cobetto	Jonathan Allen	Mike Skeen
2006	Mid Ohio Sports Car Course	Chris Cobetto	Robert Patton	Carter Hunt

^[5]

Regional

• 2017 Northern California: Sylas Montgomery
• 2006 Mid Atlantic: Chris Cobetto
• 2005 Mid Atlantic: Carter Hunt

External links

• Official Site
• Spec E30 rules (PDF)
• Grassroots Motorsports Spec E30 project car

References

1. Web site: Spec E30 rules. NASA. November 5, 2013.
2. Web site: Spec E30 rules. NASA. November 5, 2013.
3. Web site: NASA Championships. NASA Pro Racing. 8 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131209042248/http://www.nasachampionships.com/home.html. 9 December 2013.
4. Web site: Past Results. 2021-05-20.
   1. DRIVENASA CHAMPIONSHIPS Presented by Toyo Tires
   . en-US.
5. http://mylaps.com/results/newResults.jsp?id=416882 MyLaps.com || powered by AMB transponders