MP 636: 1999 BMW V12 LMR In-Car Audio, Monterey 2019

Credit BMW factory driver and American racing legend Bill Auberlen for this in-car audio feature. Having captured a visor camera run with the Californian in the amazing 1999 BMW V12 LMR prototype where our audio recorder was strapped into the cockpit, Auberlen made a key suggestion after the session: “This car is so quiet inside the cockpit that you can barely hear the engine; why don’t you try putting the recorder at the back somewhere on the diffuser between the pipes?”

And with that idea firmly planted, a second run—this time during the 40-minute race that closed the 2019 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion—was scheduled. Affixed atop the diffuser between the rear wing mounts, placed dead center between the glorious 6.0-liter BMW V12’s four exhaust pipes, the audio returned by Auberlen is stunning.

Adding to the fun, the winning model from the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans was unhappy with the set of tires it had to use, which made for plenty of wheelspin and oversteer as Auberlen attempted to control the V12 LMR in low-downforce trim.

Altogether, the sounds of an all-time great piloting an incredible car that requires fast hands around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca serve as a fine way to punctuate a wonderful weekend in Monterey.

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