Rahal/Letterman GT2 BMW racecar will be running RAYS Wheels for 2009 ALMS season

[EJ25RUN]

Jon Sibal
http://jonsibal.com/bpimages/rays_rahal1.jpg

old setup

http://i27.tinypic.com/ht5iys.jpg

[Oz10]

Looks pretty sick. I really like clean looking race cars.

[EJ25RUN]

Looks pretty sick. I really like clean looking race cars.
I like the other wheels better. I'll look into the reason for the change.

Edit Found it.

RAHAL LETTERMAN RACING ANNOUNCES TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIP WITH RAYS WHEELS FOR NEW BMW AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES PROGRAM TO DEBUT IN 2009

HILLIARD, Ohio (October 22, 2008) - As Rahal Letterman Racing continues to prepare for its first year with its new BMW GT2 program in the American Le Mans Series, it today announces that it has partnered with RAYS Wheels in a technical agreement that will see the high-end wheels used on the new BMW M3 next season.”We are proud to become technical partners with Rahal Letterman Racing and BMW North America,” said RAYS Overseas Marketing Director for RAYS, KJ-Yamaguchi. “We pride ourselves with providing the best performing wheels on the highest of motorsport stages and the Rahal Letterman team provides the perfect match to our first entry into ALMS.”

The new BMW M3, with RAYS Wheels, is set to make its 2009 racing debut in the American Le Mans Series’ season kickoff event - the historic Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring - to be held March 18-21.

“When entering the top level of production car racing it is key to deploy a top level approach,” said BMW North America Motorsports Manager Martin Birkmann. “This holds true for the people involved but also for the competencies of the technical partners that make significant contributions to the success of the program. Rays is a great partner and its wheels represent the top echelon of race and performance car engineering.
“When undertaking a new project such as this, you want to align yourself with people that can perfect your program, and our partnership with RAYS Wheels will do that,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal. “RAYS and BMW both hold themselves to high standards and use all their resources to provide efficient, lightweight products that not only hold up to the rigorous competitive demands of the race track, but are eye-catching and draw attention from everyone that experiences them.”

Rays Co. Ltd, established in 1973, is a world-class manufacturer of high end forged and cast wheels for both high-level OEM and aftermarket. Most known for their patented mold forging technologies, RAYS has continually strived to bring meaningful wheel products that not only improve on the appearance of the vehicle, but provide an improved driving experience and safety through the highest technology. The application of the highest technology enables RAYS to offer wheels that have the most effective blend of lightness, durability, rigidity and safety. Their wheels are manufactured and tested 100% in house and verified on the racetrack. RAYS participates in the highest level of motorsport, which includes F1, ALMS, Lemans, Super GT, WTCC, BTCC, Touring car, and more.

[OnURleft]

Great post dude. Interesting. I personally thought the old ones were more "eye catching" but I appreciate rays for acknowledging that they like to look good. I was shocked they were not going to use some BBS wheel.

[Elbow]

I really do not like the wheel setup. Car looked 10x better with the older wheels. I think they should have stuck with some BBS's or something.

[2turbo4u]

I like the Rays better, gives the car a more cleaner look. Time to go scratch off again!

[EJ25RUN]

I really do not like the wheel setup. Car looked 10x better with the older wheels. I think they should have stuck with some BBS's or something.
I agree. The older ones make it look like a proper GT car.

[EJ25RUN]

Road Atlanta shakedown.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_20.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_22.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_04.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_18.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_17.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_01.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_26.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/11/m3roadatlantatest_24.jpg

[Elbow]

Yesss, car is sexy, sounds mean.

[EJ25RUN]

Yesss, car is sexy, sounds mean.

you were present?