When your weekend racer is a 650 bhp IRL Indy Car, driving almost anything else falls short in comparison. Looking high and low for a daily driver that would sustain his passion for performance driving in the off-season, pro Indy Car racer Tomas Scheckter didn't think twice about purchasing a new 2004 BMW M3 with SMG.
The blue M3 met all the important criteria: fast, fast and fast. Beyond that, Scheckter knew it would also be reliable and practical, two other important, yet perhaps lesser concerns. To add a touch of personalization, he tweaked the Bimmer with tighter suspension and wide TSW wheels, in addition to a few other cosmetic mods. Scheckter also opted to swap out the stock sound system in place of a more comprehensive audio/video package.
Son of 1979 Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter, the 25-year-old from Indianapolis, Ind., has racing in his blood having literally grown up in the sport. In 2003, Scheckter finished the season with a career-best seventh place in IRL Indy Car Series point standings driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
Now with Panther Racing, Scheckter is vying for the big win at the Indianapolis 500, where in 2003 he started twelfth and finished fourth and led for 63 laps, the most of any driver.
This Month's Obsession Brought To You By Mothers www.mothersreflections.com
2004 BMW M3Engine3.2-liter inline six, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, Double-VANOS variable valve timing.
TransmissionSMG sequential manual
SuspensionEibach Pro-Kit springs
Wheels And Tires:TSW Thruxton 8.5x20 (f)10x20 (r)Pirelli P Zero, 235/30/20 (f)285/25/20 (r)
InteriorCustom Napa leather
Audio/IceAlpine IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station, Diamond M351 component speakers (f), Diamond D5600.4 component speakers (r), Diamond D5600.4 amplifier, two Diamond D5600.1 amplifiers, two Diamond CM310D4 subwoofers, Monster Cable wiring. Installation by Audio Toyz in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
PerformancePeak Power: 333 bhp0-60 mph: 4.8 sec