This car was developed by BMW for the sports prototype category of sports car racing. Unlike the GT1 or GT2 cars, BMW did not have to make road going versions of the car to make it eligible for competition. In 1999 it brought BMW their first outright LeMans win as a manufacturer (as opposed to an engine supplier). The 1995 winning McLaren F1 had a BMW engine as did the '97 GT1 class winning (2nd overall) Gulf McLaren F1 longtail, and in fact a development of that engine also powered the '99 winner.
Kyosho were the first to model this car in 1:18th scale. Maisto were hot on their heels and released a version which has a removable engine cowling. Unusually for a Kyosho, the model came in for quite a bit of criticism. The main complaints were mainly centered around poor quality decals on many of the cars, as well as the fact that the engine cover is not removable and there is no engine detail whatsoever. Mind you, having seen the Maisto version I wouldn't swap it for my Kyosho, but the fact that it has engine detail at a lower price is a plus. In fact, Kyosho have since released a version of this model with a detailed engine under a removable cowling, but I'll stick with the one I have!
Myself, I have not noticed any obvious problems with the finish of my example, but maybe I've just been lucky! The lack of engine detail is a pity but as I never display my models with any of their doors or other openings open (to prevent dust getting into the model) it does not bother me all that much. However, as good engine detail is the norm expected in a Kyosho, this model only gets a rating of 65%. Probably the nicest part of this model is the drivers area which has a realistic looking drivers harness, as well as the expected array of switches, steering wheel and a silver gear selector.
In addition to the photos of the model, I've included a couple of shots taken of the real thing as seen by myself at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
65%
