WHEN F1 TOOK LE MANS

A CAR NEVER DESIGNED TO RACE TURNED INTO A LEGENDARY COMPETITOR.

- BY MIKE DUFF

A. The tightness of the development budget meant the GTR underwent only a single day of wind-tunnel testing, which led to the high-mounted rear wing and a new diffuser. Otherwise, it was nearly identical to the roadgoing car externally.

B. GT racing regulations meant the GTR needed to run with a restrictor in its air intake, cutting the S70/2 BMW V-12's peak power from the road car's 627 hp to a stated 600 hp.

It did get to lose exhaust silencers and catalysts.