Some pics of local BMW racing in the 1970s

[HarryPR]

A friend who prepared and raced BMW's here in Puerto Rico shared these pics on Facebook and I asked him permission to share with the group. Most of these were a little before my time (I bought my first BMW in 1977 qnd most of these from 1974-75), but I enjoyed them thoroughly and hope you do too:

This was one of three Alpina-prepped cars brought into the island. The local dealer passed them through customs as regular 02's. One of the three had pig cheeks.

Many of the well-heeled local racers bought one year-old cars from U.S. teams, hence the factory-liveried csl and the ex- Peter Gregg Porsche in the second row. Most of these guys also raced at Sebring and Daytona back in the day.

This pic is from a race at the Dominican Republic. The PR Alpina on the left eventually beat the local one on the right.

[Rattfink81]

Love the pic's and thanks for sharing

[dubois]

wow, what a treasure you found! Look at the wheels on #35, they look very familiar...if I am correct this is the only time I've seen them other than on the Alpina, thanks for sharing.

[brad_c-ville_VA]

awesome harry, thanks! makes me think i should really be shooting film at our 02 drive events. love it.

[Lebowski]

Incredible photos Harry! Tell your friend thank you...

Is that a fuel filler cap coming out of the rear panel on the pig-cheeked Alpina car?

[HarryPR]

Incredible photos Harry! Tell your friend thank you...

Is that a fuel filler cap coming out of the rear panel on the pig-cheeked Alpina car?

Could be. They ran some 3-hour races and an extra tank might have been added to lengthen the time between pit stops.

[M3M3]

where did they road race on the island?

[bjbarbieri]

Awesome pics Harry!

[jrkoupe]

great pics....thnx

Dominican vs PR!...there is no love lost there...lol

wheels on # 35 look like Campys or Chromo's?...love em.

[eurotrash]

Likey! I'm totally using one of these for my phone lock screen.

[HarryPR]

where did they road race on the island?

We've had several race tracks throughout the years. Back in the 70's the main ones were in Anasco on the Western part of the island and in Caguas on the Central area. I lived in Caguas back then, so through the 70's my brothers and I used to go every Sunday, whether it was drag racing, road racing or whatever was going on.

They also did autocrosses at various parking lots in the San Juan metro area and at the U.S. military bases (Ramey and Roosevelt Roads).

At the present there are tracks at Salinas and Ponce (southern part of the island).

[flyingjolly]

wow, awesome pictures, thanks for posting them

[M3M3]

We've had several race tracks throughout the years. Back in the 70's the main ones were in Anasco on the Western part of the island and in Caguas on the Central area. I lived in Caguas back then, so through the 70's my brothers and I used to go every Sunday, whether it was drag racing, road racing or whatever was going on.

They also did autocrosses at various parking lots in the San Juan metro area and at the U.S. military bases (Ramey and Roosevelt Roads).

At the present there are tracks at Salinas and Ponce (southern part of the island).

well then, now i know what to if i ever get another free weekend in PR! If only I had known when i was spending tons of time at Roosy, SJ and CG Airstation Borinquen (ex-ramey)!

[HarryPR]

The air strip at Roosevelt Roads is basically not being used at the moment. Some groups have tried to get permission to do some autocrossing there with no success. Too bad, because the base is like 20 minutes from home for me.

[graham73tii]

Really nice period pics Harry. Thanks for posting these.

Garry