Race cars, much like people, have the uncanny ability to enter and exit one’s life on a moment’s notice. Such is the case with the 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe currently in Tom Wickersham’s stable of motorsport machinery. A mere 1,815 Z4 M coupes were imported to North America during its 2006-2008 production run. Only 212 of those were finished in Titanium Silver Metallic. This relatively low production volume makes the Z4 M Coupe a rare sight on the road, let alone a race track. Fortunately for us, Team Principal Jeff Francis made arrangements with Wickersham to drive this particular example at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the June SCCA “Double Regional” event.
Bob Boileau, noted President of Pike’s Peak International Raceway, initially commissioned this car for his son Tommy. At the tender age of 19, the younger Boileau campaigned the car in Touring 3 (T3) during the 2013 SCCA season. Their hard work paid off, resulting in an 8th overall finish at the Runoffs. Once the 2013 season concluded, the M Coupe was snatched up and brought into the Francis Racing family.
Jeff’s shop, Francis Collision Centre of Fresno, performed a full cosmetic refresh immediately upon taking delivery. The coupe required the replacement of various parts, most of which had been damaged during years of competition in SCCA Regional and National Events. Once the initial restoration was complete, Francis Collision Centre designed and painted the beautiful BMW Motorsport livery. The final result of which was nothing less than stunning.
Following the cosmetic overhaul, the car was sent to Tom Wickersham at Competition Autowerks in San Ramon for further race prep. Wickersham’s primary sponsor immediately realized the Z4 M Coupe’s winning potential in the cutthroat T3 class. For 2014, the SCCA Runoffs were being held at Laguna Seca, and it was decided that the timing was perfect to make a serious run for the T3 national title. Unfortunately, mid-season rule changes stripped the Z4 M Coupe of its advantage seemingly overnight. The Runoffs aspirations were extinguished as quickly as they had materialized. Since 2014, the car has since found a new owner. Fortunately for us, it still remains in in the care of Tom Wickersham and Competition Autowerks.
Jeff was ecstatic to campaign the car at Laguna Seca with Tom Wickersham’s track support. Tom is quite the accomplished racer in his own right. He not only claimed the 2012 SCCA GT2 National Championship in a 997 GT3 Cup Car, but is a 3-Time Western Conference Champion, a 7-Time Regional Champion, and holds over 40 track records. If the car performed half as good as it looked, both Jeff and Tom were set to have a very successful weekend with the Bavarian barnstormer.
Upon taking to the track, it was quickly apparent to Francis why BMW has long considered itself “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” The S54 produced a glorious soundtrack as it pulled all the way to its 7500 RPM redline. Much like that first bite into a green apple, gear changes were shockingly crisp. The art of shifting gears, however, produces a more satisfying sound. Acceleration and braking was nearly effortless; the pedal cluster was high in sensitivity, yet produced great feedback.
Tom and Jeff’s preferences differed when it came to setup. Such issues arise any time multiple drivers share a car. Tom had set the car up to suit his driving style, preferring a vehicle more on the “loose” side. Jeff, on the other hand, prefers something more neutral and forgiving. Unsurprisingly, it took Francis only a few laps to acclimate himself to the car. Thanks to the engineering prowess of BMW’s M division, Tom was able to make a minor adjustment to the rear suspension in order to dial in the car for Jeff.
In T3, Jeff started 26th due to sitting out both practice and qualifying. The Z4 M Coupe showed its rear bumper to the majority of the field as it soldiered onto a class win, and a 6th place overall finish. Jeff had received the “Hard Charger” award for making the most passes during the race.
The success achieved during the first race in T3 was mirrored in ITE. Having again skipped practice and qualifying, Jeff started from the 12th position and moved the Bimmer to 3rd in class and 6th overall. He also earned the “Hard Charger” award for the second time that weekend.
This Z4 M Coupe was not the only German competing at Laguna Seca that weekend. The Porsche GT3 Cup also made a stop in Monterey, joined by its little brother, the Cayman GT4 Cup. Hot on the heels of the successful launch of the Cayman GT4 road car, a spec series was launched for those looking to take things to the next level. A Cayman GT4 Cup car runs in the ballpark of $185,000. It takes an additional $250,000 (est.) to compete in the series for one year. Demand for the GT4 in any guise has far outstripped supply since the vehicle’s launch. Many have said that it represents the best driver’s car on the market today. Despite the German manufacturers’ focus on SUV production, cars like the GT4 and Z4 M prove that driver’s cars still are at the heart of every engineer in Deutschland.
Specifications:
Make/Model: 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe, Chassis Code E86
Chassis: Cage built to full GCR Specs
Body: Custom BMW Motorsport Livery by Francis Collision Centre
Engine: BMW S54B32 (3.2L I6)
Gearbox: ZF GS6-37BZ 6-Speed Manual
Suspension: Ohlins
Brakes: 345mm Rotors F/328mm Rotors R, Stock Calipers
Wheels/Tires: Varies
Electronics: Siemens MSS70 ECU, Dinan Re-flash
Cost: $51,000 (base MSRP)
