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BimmerWorld’s James Clay Leads BMW North America Diesel to 3rd in Class at 25 Hour Race.

Story of the 25 Hour Race Available in This Month’s Car & Driver Magazine.

James Clay, owner of the BimmerWorld, the leading BMW aftermarket parts and service shop in Radford, VA, returned from Northern California in December with a unique and distinguished place in BMW North America's racing history.

The success of the BMW NA / Car & Driver E90 335D's were due in large part to the successes of BimmerWorld's SPEED world challenge Touring Car E90's. BimmerWorld's success in the SPEED TC series translated directly to the 335D's performance and impressive showing. As crew chief of the #33 Car & Driver Magazine, BMW North America Diesel's BMW 335 twin-turbo diesel, competing in the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance event, Clay led seven crew members to deliver BMW's highest finishing car in the event, 4th overall, and 3rd in class. The sister #34 335D fought through a troubled race to finish outside the points.

Even more unique is the fact that the European 335 Diesels were the first racing production-based diesels in North America . The 335D, built on the BMW E90 chassis platform, was a perfect fit for Clay to oversee: Clay and his BimmerWorld team build and race their own BMW E90's in the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car series.

With a large crew under his guidance, Clay was tasked with calling the shots to lead the BMW 335D to the front, and to keep his team prepared for pitstops and driver changes every few hours. "When I got the call asking me to come out and handle the setup of the car and running of the BMW Diesel #33 team, I couldn't wait; while the diesel engine was different than what BimmerWorld races in SPEED TC, we've had to develop the rest of the chassis on our own, so I flew out knowing what we needed to do right away."

With a blend of BMW factory drivers and Car & Driver staff piloting the grey #33, Clay was able to help develop the setup in a fast but drivable direction to suit the professionals and the magazine editors.

"Joey Hand from BMW's ALMS program and Martin Birkmann, BMW's new M Brand Manager were able to give great feedback immediately, and the handling of the car was improved quickly. We use the same Moton shocks on our SPEED TC E90's, so most of what works to make our BimmerWorld E90's handle worked on the BMW North America E90's."

Hand qualified the car in 4th position, and the Clay-led team kept the car running in the top three for most of the 25 hour race.

After 25 hours of battle, James Clay and the BMW NA Diesel / Car & Driver drivers and crew celebrate a well-deserved 4th place finish. "This was my first 'all day and all night race,' but I really enjoyed it. The consistent focus and attention to details required to keep such a brand new and un-developed car racing in the top three was a challenge, but not one my crew couldn't handle.

There was a lot of pressure to deliver a good result for BMW and Car & Driver, but we didn't let that bother us. The crew and the drivers did an amazing job, and I'm thankful to have been invited to be a part of the experience. It's not often you get asked to be a part of BMW's history."

Clay and BimmerWorld are back to preparing their own E90's for the upcoming SPEED TC racing season that kicks off at Sebring in Florida, March 16th. Stay tuned for updates and details on the team as the first event draws closer.

The March issue of Car & Driver is currently available on news stands