This is a photo of a gorgeous 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL racing at Coronado Speed Festival 2014. This is neither my best panning photo, nor is it the sharpest. However, maybe it’s the subject matter, but I absolutely love this picture. I’ve had some say it’s my best photo yet… But like I said, I think it’s the subject matter. If you look closely, it’s not even that sharp. Impressive however is that it was shot at 1\/80 on a pretty fast section of the track from an angle that usually doesn’t product very sharp shots at slow shutter speed.<\/p>\n
This classic BMW is the E9 platform and the 3.0 CSL was the homologation special – which was an extremely successful race car. The BMW 3.0 CSL was a car the helped etch BMW’s name in history as a sports driver’s car. It looks incredibly aggressive with its crazy aero package often referred to as Batmobile. At the same time, the car oozes classic looks – polarizing to some, true, but amazing in its own right. Like it or not, you’re going to do a double take if this thing flies by you.<\/p>\n
This particular 3.0 CSL is a 1973 model. The 3.0 CSL was first released as a homologation model in 1972. Building the homologation special for the street allowed BMW to qualify this car for the European Touring Car Championship. The CSL basically stands for a lightweight racing version of the CS. The 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL has a number of high-profile victories under its belt. This includes a class victory at LeMans.<\/p>\n
The main takeaway from this photo is that this was shot in 2014, 41 years after the car was built. Seeing a 3.0 CSL still wheel to wheel racing today is quite an amazing sight to behold.<\/p>\n