Ralph Warren’s E90 M3 Race Car With APEX Wheels

APEX is a proud sponsor of Ralph and the SCTS Racing team.

APEX: Tell us some details about yourself & your car.

Ralph Warren: My name is Ralph Warren from Irvine, CA. I drive the #17 BMW E90 M3 for SCTS Racing.

Racing takes up most of my spare time and is my primary hobby. My buddy Scott Cary and I teamed up back in 2003 to form the team with a used 1995 BMW M3 racecar and a rented U-Haul trailer. Today we have a pro setup with aluminum stacker rig and 2 very fast modern BMW race cars. I drive the #17 BMW E90 M3 and we rent out a gorgeous 2015 BMW M4.

Although we focus on amateur racing with BMW CCA Club Racing and NASA, we take a professional approach to the sport. We spend an enormous amount of time focusing on “event preparation” – not just car prep. Our truck, trailer, paddock equipment, hospitality setup, tools, spares, etc. are all ready to go so when we arrive at the track we are organized and there is minimal work to do prior to going out for the first session. This professional approach is appreciated by our sponsors as well because we are representatives of their company.

APEX: What is your track day wheel setup?

Ralph Warren: Although our tire choice for both cars varies, our team runs APEX wheels exclusively. We use spacers only to help us achieve square setup whenever possible. A square setup is important to us because it allows us to manage tire resources better and gives both cars a more balanced feel. The flexibility of being able to put any wheel/tire on any corner of either car is very handy.

Ralph currently runs APEX ARC-8 Wheels on the E90 M3 and has run EC-7’s as well in the past.

APEX: Why did you choose APEX Wheels over the rest?

Ralph Warren: Simply put, APEX wheels offer us the best combination of performance, value, fit and finish. I like how they usually do not require spacers and the different finishes allows us to enhance the liveries on our race cars. I use them on my street car too – the Rogue S54 Wagon.

APEX: How did you get into track racing & for how long?

Ralph Warren: I picked up a Miata in 1990 and was invited to a BMW CCA HPDE by a buddy. As a newbie student with wide eyes, I was absolutely hooked and started doing every track event I could. I started instruction a few years later and I picked up my first BMW in 1995 when BMW CCA Club Racing was first starting up. I bought a beat-up 1988 BMW M3 and turned it into my first race car.

APEX: What is your favorite memory or entertaining story from the track?

Ralph Warren: On a budget years ago, I decided to try my hand professional racing in SCCA World Challenge. During my first race, I ran in the top 10 ahead of many pro teams and drivers that I idolized. After the race our paddock space was full of family and friends who had come out to support me. It was a very special moment for me personally and something I’ll never forget it.

APEX: How many events do you participate in each year, care to share any track results?

Ralph Warren: Generally, our team likes to hit every west coast track once a year and Buttonwillow 2 or 3 times because of its different configurations and the fact that you can run it clock-wise and counter-clock-wise. During the preseason we usually test at Buttonwillow as well. Once or twice a year we will pack up the rig and travel out of region. We like to go to the BMW CCA Oktoberfest event regardless of where it is and we enjoy racing against national competition. We do quite well when we travel, especially when it is necessary to learn a new track. A trick I use to help learn a new track is to follow a local racer in a slower class car during the first practice session. He’ll kill me in the corners for the first few laps as I get up to speed, but I’ll make it up on the straights with my horsepower and stick with him until I have learned the track.

APEX: If you could give one tip to a new racer, what would your tip be?

Ralph Warren: Preparation is key. If you are in a rush and up late working on the car the night before a race weekend, you are doing something seriously wrong.

APEX: Do you have any clubs, shops or racing buddies you want to give a shout out to?

Ralph Warren: My team owner Scott Cary and crew chief Craig Arnold make this whole program function and I am extremely thankful for all of their volunteer effort and friendship over the years. We have built this team together and without them, I would not be where I am today in racing. I also want to acknowledge Brett Strom from Strom Motorsports. We’ve teamed up at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill for the past 10 years or so winning our class numerous times. He has a great shop and he and his guys really know what they are doing.

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Tom M.

Tom is a BMW Fitment Expert at APEX Wheels. Prior to joining the company in 2019, he worked for BMW of North America as Fleet Manager: Portland (OR) for the ReachNow car-sharing program, and as Warranty Administrator/Loaner Fleet Manager at BMW Portland. In addition, Tom has extensive training in BMW TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) as well as in-depth knowledge of all BMW chassis and their wheel fitment options, with and without aftermarket brake and suspension upgrades. His high-performance driving experience includes autocross events in southern Oregon and track days at PIR in his 2004 E46 330i with 17x9 ET42 APEX ARC-8 wheels. Vehicles he owned prior to indulging his passion for BMWs include a 1989 Jaguar XJ6 and a 2006 S197 Ford Mustang. Fun Fact: Tom is a huge Formula 1 fan. Have questions about wheels for your BMW? Use our contact form and ask for Tom.