About Korman Autoworks

Korman Autoworks, Inc. is the most experienced and successful BMW tuning firm in the 
United States.  "If you are going to prepare and race BMW's there is just one place 
to turn." Sports Car Illustrated, Sept. 1988."We chose Ray Korman to run the M3...
more for his expertise in new car development, especially BMW development. That's 
his real forte."  Erik Wensberg, BMW North America Motorsports Manager, Roundel, 
May 1988. Owner Ray Korman has competed in BMW sedan racing since his purchase in 
1964 of one of the first BMW 1800 Ti sedans sold in the United States.  In his first 
professional racing he won two national championships in S.E.Asia, first in his 1800
TISA, then in an FIA Group 5 2002 prepared by Yontrakit Motors in Bangkok. Returning 
to the U.S. in the early 70's he prepared his own 2002 and 320i for the IMSA Racing 
Stock Sedan Series. His most notable win was the IMSA El Inter-Americano 3 Hour Race 
at Daytona.  With entries from both North and South America the rules favored front 
wheel drive cars. The surprise win of the independently entered six year old 320i 
over the new factory backed front wheel drive cars was a major upset.  He also won 
the SCCA S.E. Division Championship in his GT-2 BMW 320i.
  
Within the very competitive format of the IMSA Firehawk Endurance Series, Korman's 
years of sedan racing established him as one of the foremost drivers and builders.  
He is one of the series top all-time race winners with seven victories.  In 1986 
he won every other race of the year.  His BMW 325e won both the Driver and 
Manufacturers Championships, and won first overall in the Watkins Glen 24 Hour Race.  
The Director of BMW Motorsport GmbH, Munich, Wolfgang Peter Flohr, wired a message 
of congratulations saying "The headline,'Korman's BMW Wins 24 Hour Race is for BMW 
Motorsports GmbH a highlight which we tried to achieve in the United States for 
years and which goes without saying to your account only."

  

In 1987, under contract with BMW North America, Korman raced a pair of BMW M3 Sport 
Sedans, chassis numbers 001 and 002.  In their first season the "M-Team" scored a 
historic victory in the IMSA Watkins Glen 500 Mile Race, the first time in the four 
year history of the Series that a team finished one-two, also setting a new 
qualifying lap record and fastest race lap record.

  

Korman Autoworks prepared BMW's have scored 26 top three finishes in the IMSA 
Firehawk Endurance Series, including two 24 hour race victories.

  

Korman's success on the race track has grown along with the success and expansion of 
Korman Autoworks, Inc.  Specializing in BMW cars, the firm has three divisions, Mail 
Order Parts, Service and Competition, all housed in an impressive facility.  The 
Competition Division has built many successful race cars for customers around the 
world (see RACERS ONLY!), as well as engines, suspension systems, etc.  Many BMW 
race cars seen with other team/shop names on them were actually prepared by Korman 
Autoworks.  Korman prepared race cars have also won overseas national championships 
in Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Argentina, Australia, Columbia, and New Zealand.  Following training at 
Heidegger AG in Liechtenstein,the competition department also builds BMW F2 and M1 
engines. Competition research is supported by Korman's in-house engine dyno facility 
and flow bench test equipment.

  

The Mail Order Division ships high performance BMW parts and Accessories throughout 
the world from their large, fully computerized warehouse.

  

The Service Department is a Bosch Authorized Service Center, providing access to 
Bosch factory training, test equipment, service information, and Bosch National 
Warranty Services.  Customers drive or have their cars shipped in from all over 
the U.S. for maintenance, repairs, performance upgrades, mechanical restorations
and complete restorations. (see CONTACT INFO for a list of car transport companies)

 

Ray Korman's long association with the BMW marque has made him popular within the 
BMW Car Club of America.  He instructs often in both local and national BMW driving 
schools, is a frequent speaker at BMW Club Dinners throughout the U.S., and was 
named "Mister BMW" in the BMW CCA national monthly Roundel magazine that featured a 
color front page photo and a six page article. Ray Korman and Korman Autoworks have 
also received national publicity in Sports Car Illustrated, Import Car Magazine, the 
New York Times, as well as in various automobile racing publications, BMW Club 
Magazines, and various track race programs. BMW NA produced full color posters of 
the Korman 325 and M3 wins which were distributed to BMW Dealers throughout North 
America.

  

In 1991 Korman's competition efforts focused on preparation of an M3 for racing in 
South America,, sponsored by Esso and Autogermana S.A.  Racing against entries 
prepared in the U.S., South America and Europe, the Korman prepared M3 won four out 
of five regular season races and astonished all with an overwhelming victory in the 
6 Horas de Bogota, El Mans Suramericano.  In 1992 the Korman prepared Autogermana M3 
again won the Six Hour race making history as the only car to win this event twice, 
much less in two years consecutively. This series demonstrated that Korman is not 
only the dominant BMW Tuner in North and South America, but that they could win 
against European factory prepared entries as well.

  

The primary competition R&D program for Korman Autoworks in 1993 was to develop the 
BMW 325iS for the SCCA IT series.  The new model was an immediate front runner, 
overturning the previous dominance of the Nissan Z cars.  The BMW won all but one 
race of the season,breaking lap records everywhere, and ran away with the Mid 
Atlantic SCCA ITS Championship!

  

In 1994-1996 Korman focused on research and development of the new BMW E36 series 
cars, the M3, 325, 328, and 318Ti.  They built cars and motors for several teams.  
Customers broke lap records and gained podium positions with Korman products.  In 
the hotly contested IMSA Endurance Series, it was a Korman engine and suspension in 
the Team Purple M3 that broke the lap record and won the pole in the July 1996 
Sears Point race.  In the Ford and Pontiac V8 dominated Grand Sports class, this was 
the first pole position for an E36 M3. 
  
In December 1996, Ray was appointed to the Professional SportsCar Racing Endurance 
Championship Entrant Advisory Board (formerly IMSA). This appointment was made based 
on his years of successful experience in this race series.

 

In 1997, Korman's Racing efforts focused on the IMSA Sports Class Endurance 
Championship with the Korman built TWC Motorsports 2 car BMW 328iS team.  
After breaking lap records at Watkins Glen and putting the car in the lead, 
he team withdrew as the series dissolved in the sale and reorganization of 
SportsCar.

 

In 1998 BMW CCA Club Racing Ray Korman competed in a 1993 BMW 325 brought up to 
I-Prepared Class M3 specifications.  The Korman entry won the Club National 
Championship in it's class with 6 back to back wins at Savannah, Mid-Ohio, 
Summit Point, Lime Rock, Sebring, and Road Atlanta.

 

In 1999 the car was modified to M3 Lightweight specification.  The season opener at 
Savannah netted a first in class and first overall finish in the sprint race.

 

In Mosport Canada, the Motorola Cup Korman Prepared BMW 328 took the pole and set a 
new lap record.  
Customer Cars in Preparation-Summer 1999

 

If you are in Daytona Beach, Florida,  be sure to check out the "Wall of 
Winners" at the Daytona USA Museum.  There are only three BMW entries listed:
Note:  There may be some new BMW driver names on the wall with the recent BMW 
factory team GT3 wins at Daytona.
 

© Korman Autoworks, Inc. 1997, 1998