Tyspeed BMW M2 Race Car: Preparing for Pikes Peak

As a proud sponsor of the Tyspeed racing team, we caught up with driver Tyler Pappas and his crew at New Jersey Motorsports Park as they prepare their BMW M2 race car for the 2019 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Preparing the car for this event has been challenging, but the mountain will present an even greater one. The intimidating mountain stands over 14,000 feet in elevation and the race hosts ~12 miles of intense turns without the safety of guard rails. Follow along as Tyler and his team make their way to Pikes Peak.

Car Details:

2017 BMW M2 Club Racer 3,000 LBS Dry, No Driver Power Rating : 505 whp/ 540Ft/Lbs Torque BMW CCA B-Modified NASA GTS-U

Wheel Setup

18×10.5″ ET40 FL-5 Wheels in Race Silver 295/35/R18 Toyo Proxes RR (DOT Compound) Bimmerworld Premium Race Stud Kit

Body, Chassis & Interior

Completely stripped interior Tyspeed Composite Doors, Hood, and Deck lid assembly w/ factory mounting RKP Carbon 2×2 Roof From IND Distribution Club Race Spec Roll Cage-Fabricated In house BMW M235IR Carbon Floor pan inserts / 1pc Center console Custom Carbon Door panels/Rear bulkhead/interior trimmings 13 Ecu’s Removed, wiring harness thinned, operational I-drive + Drive dynamics + Functional HVAC/Defrost Sparco Circuit II Seat + Sparco Clubsport Belts KMP Drivetrains F8x Paddle Shift wheel w/ Quick Release + DSC Buttons AIM MXG Data System W/ Smarty Cam HD From Krause + Associates Beta F8x Protocol For CAN BUS Ultrashield Lexan Windshield (custom Cut) Lexan Side windows Longacre Wide View Mirror AJ Hartman Aero Apex 12 Dual Element Rear wing w/ custom CNC machined swan neck uprights Dual Stage Rear Diffuser System + Flat Floor Panel From AJ Hartman Aero AJ Hartman Aero C5 Corvette Front Canards (custom cut) Motorola Digital Long track radio communication system RKP Carbon GP front lip w/ AJ Hartman Aero Custom Splitter w/ tunnels SPA Techniques On board Fire system SPA Techniques Side View Mirrors

Suspension & Brakes

Stoptech STR-60 15” Brake kit F+R 6 Piston Front, 4 Piston Rear Fully forged calipers w/ custom brake ducting kit Stoptech Stainless brake lines Performance DSC/ABS Coding JRZ RS-PRO 2 Way Remote Adjustable Coilovers 1000LB Front 1200LB Rear Springs Ground Control Articulating Rear spring perches/ Adjustable Front camber plates Fall Line Motorsports Spherical Front LCA Bushings Fall Line Motorsports Adjustable Rear Toe Arms SPL Parts Front Lower Control Arms SPl Parts Front Bump steer adjusted Tie Rods SPL Parts Rear Forward Trailing Arm kit All Factory Rubber suspension bushings are poly / Spherical replacements Dinan Upgrade Sway Bar Kit F/R w/ Custom End links GTS EPS Steering Flash GTS ABS/DSC Flash

Drivetrain

N55B30T0 w/ CP Standard size/compression Forged pistons , Carrillo Connecting Rods, ARP Hardware ARP Studded Block M11x1.5 Ported Cylinder head from HeadGames Motorworks CSF Racing 4 PC Cooling kit including Tripe Pass Racing Radiator, Stepped Intercooler, Boss 275 Cubic Inch Oil cooler , and Double pass DCT cooler Dual M4 Auxiliary Radiators w/ Boost pump A/C system Removed + Coded out Pure Turbos Stage 2+ Turbocharger VRSF Stainless Downpipe plumbed into custom-fabricated 3” Oval Exhaust Burger Tuning Catch Can + Oil cooler bypass Valve Custom Tuning By Frank Smith for MS109 Fuel Meth Injections system w/ Pre+Post Inter-cooler Sprayers GTS Rear Differential Flash GTS Transmission Flash Powerflex Poly Rear Differential Mount bushing Set – Black Series VRSF 2 PC Charge Pipe Pyrotec 15 Gallon Fuel Cell w/ walbro 450 In Tank Pump + Dry Break Filling System XDI 35I High Pressure Fuel Pump from TTFS Tuned to 505 WHP / 540 Ft/Lbs OF Torque

Tyspeed Pikes Peak M2 Sponsors

APEX Race Parts CSF Radiators Stoptech Brakes Sparco Pure Turbos Toyo Tires IND Distribution Liqui Moly Eventuri KMP Drive Train CSL Design NJ AJ Hartman Aero

Wind Tunnel Testing

The Tyspeed M2 was brought to the A-2 Nascar Wind Tunnel in Moorseville NC, along with several aero Engineers + their professor from the University Of North Carolina Charlotte, to determine the best aero balance for the car in the various events being run this year. On top of determining this balance, the crew is able to identify with true data, several issues with the front end design/layout which they were then able to go home and correct. Things like splitter angle of attack, cooler ducting, and other areas – had deficiencies which needed to be addressed. Huge reductions in overall drag were found by sealing off the cowling between the windscreen and the trailing edge of the hood, and by adding additional fences to the splitter. These gains netted a +27% increase in front end down force and a 22% reduction in overall drag. The crew then made these changes and were able to make the rear wing angle more aggressive, for a total of 700+ Lbs of down force at just 100MPH. With the setup, and the needed changes, they were able to achieve this number with a 53/47% aero balance which should make the car nice and neutral, and allow the Tyspeed team to focus solely on suspension tuning.

Photos & Video by Silver Style Pictures

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.