Lotec M1C

Lotec M1C
CategoryGroup C
ConstructorLotec
DesignerGustav Brunner
Production1982
PredecessorLotec 681
SuccessorLotec C302
Technical specifications[1]
Axle trackFront: 1,540 mm (61 in)
Rear: Same as front
Wheelbase2,450 mm (96 in)
EngineBMW M88 3,453 cc (3.5 L; 210.7 cu in) I6 N/A, 24-valve, DOHC mid-mounted, longitudinally-mounted
Transmission6-speed sequential
Power485 hp (492 PS; 362 kW)
Weight550 kg (1,212.5 lb)
BrakesGirling
Front: 11 in (280 mm) X 16 in (410 mm) discs
Rear: 16 in (410 mm) X 16 in (410 mm) discs
TyresDunlop
Goodyear
Yokohama
Competition history
Notable entrants Auto Beaurex Motorsport
Notable drivers Kurt Lotterschmid
Kazuo Mogi
Toshio Motohashi
Naoki Nagasaka
Keiichi Suzuki
Debut1982 DRM Zolder round
Last event1985 All Japan Endurance Fuji 500 km
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
330 overall
2 class
800
Teams' Championships1 (1984 All Japan Endurance Championship)
Constructors' Championships1 (1984 All Japan Endurance Championship)
Drivers' Championships1 (1984 All Japan Endurance Championship)

The Lotec M1C is a Group C sports prototype designed, developed and built by German constructor Lotec. The car competed in championship the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft and All Japan Endurance Championship. One car was built.[2][3][4]

Racing history

1982–83

Chassis #001 was built in 1982 based off the Lotec 681 for use in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft. Kurt Lotterschmid finished fourth and first in class (Group C) in its first race at Circuit Zolder.[5] Lotterschmid finished sixth in the standings at seasons' end.[6][7] The following year, Lotterschmid claimed the Group C-Junior championship finishing as high as fourth overall twice.[8][9]

The car was sold at the conclusion of the 1983 season to the Japanese team, Auto Beaurex Motorsport.[10][11] It made two appearances at Fuji Speedway at the end of the year, retiring from the 1000 km of Fuji and third at the final Fuji Long Distance Series race of 1983.[12]

1984–85

In the hands of Auto Beaurex competing in the All Japan Endurance Championship, the car would have its greatest success. In 1984, Naoki Nagasaka and Keiichi Suzuki claimed the championship title by just one point over Vern Schuppan. Perhaps the car's best performance was at the World Sportscar Championship 1000 km of Fuji, where Nagasaka and Suzuki finished sixth overall and first in C2, beating many faster C1 cars through better fuel mileage.[11][13]

For 1985, Kazuo Mogi and Toshio Motohashi were able to win in the C2 class at the 1000 km of Fuji, 14th overall, but the car was only able to muster a best of finish of sixth once at Suzuka Circuit.[12] Two further ninth place finishes and retirements, first for a suspension failure and then an accident at the final race of the season at Fuji, would end up permanently finishing its racing career.[14][15][10]

References

  1. ^ "Lotec M1C-BMW". www.dlg.speedfreaks.org. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Lotec M1C-BMW". www.dlg.speedfreaks.org. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Lotec M1C specs, performance data". FastestLaps.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Lotec M1C - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  5. ^ "DRM Zolder Bergischer Löwe 1982 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  6. ^ "Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft 1982". wsrp.cz. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  7. ^ "1982 Deutsche Rennsportmeisterschaft". www.dlg.speedfreaks.org. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  8. ^ "LOTEC Legacy". loteclegacy.manus.space. Archived from the original on 10 May 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Internationale Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft 1983". wsrp.cz. Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Quick Check: Lotec M1C BMW (#001) – Auto Beaurex". Facebook. 17 May 2025. Archived from the original on 10 May 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  11. ^ a b Goodwin, Graham (29 December 2022). "The A-Z of Group C: Every Car Builder, Part Three". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  12. ^ a b "Lotec M1C - All Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  13. ^ "Fuji 1000 Kilometres 1984 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  14. ^ "All Japan Fuji 1000 Kilometres 1985 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  15. ^ "Fuji 500 Kilometres 1985 - Race Results - Racing Sports Cars". www.racingsportscars.com. Retrieved 10 May 2026.