Nurburgring Carnage: BMW M235i Triple-Crash in The Middle of a VLN Race

This latest crash happened during the last big Nurburgring race event of 2017, VLN's 8th. You can see four identical race cars in the frame, even though this isn't an all-BMW event.

Trying to analyze what's happened, we see a typical motorsport scenario: too much bravery. The last BMW in the bunch brakes late for the corner and executes an unintentional PIT maneuver on the guy in front.

He spins out onto the grass and collides with the group leader. But it's M235i #695 that takes the worst pounding. We only see the first time it hits the barrier, but it rolled over twice after that.

The track officials drop the warning flag, and the race is slowed right down. A few moments later, we see two recovery trucks transporting the stricken BMW race cars. All things considered, they don't look that bad. They, they're banged up, but none of the windows are cracked, so the roll cage did its job correctly, keeping the integrity of the passenger cell.

The M235i Racing dates back about three years. When new, picking one up would have set you back approximately €59,500, which is only €17,000 more than the standard model and an affordable way of doing RWD motorsport. It uses a traditional inline 6-cylinder turbocharged engine making 333 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque and has been specially prepared for private racing teams.

The add-ons that prepare it for track duty include a mechanical limited-slip differential, FIA-certified safety cell, TANK Motorsport safety fuel tank and M Performance front and rear spoilers. Underneath, a new racing exhaust was fitted with racing catalytic converters. The suspension was also tweaked, the standard kit is replaced by KW dampers and H&R springs and anti-roll bars front and back.