Dedication.
Without a doubt, this is one of the key elements required when bringing a plan or project to life. Combine this with time and passion and eventually, that plan/project that one commits him/herself to pieces itself together nicely, and the outcome almost always leaves one with an incredible feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. We say ‘almost always’, because it can also however, leave one with the hunger for more, ultimately pushing an individual to bring that original plan or project to another level; all of course driven by dedication. A prime example of utilizing true dedication is Daniel Kowall, and the outcome his BMW M3 GTR.
The story begins with Daniel as a child, always into the BMW brand and could not wait until the day he could drive and start to modify one of his own. His very first car in fact was a 1995 BMW 525, which he says ‘was riced out with a body kit, lowering springs and wheels’. Moving along, Daniel’s second car was a 1999 BMW 540i. Being in an automotive business program at the time in Ontario, Daniel was surrounded by peers who were all into cars and the car modifying lifestyle. A major step up from his “riced out” 525, Daniel’s 540i had everything a euro tuner could appreciate from a full Hamann body kit, coilovers, wheels, intake, exhaust, the list goes on. While in Ontario, Daniel also took up Auto Crossing as a hobby in the summer, which ultimately pushed his hunger for a car more focused for the track.
What car could Daniel possibly take advantage of and push to its absolute limits on the track? Enter the E46 BMW M3.
Found on an internet forum based out of Long Island, New York, Daniel sold his 540i and acquired an E46 M3 which he picked up and drove back to Ontario. Getting a little more serious with the sport of Auto Cross, Daniel quickly went to work on his M3 focusing on the suspension and chassis dynamics of the vehicle. Daniel immediately got the car aligned and corner balanced for the track and took his car to various Auto Cross events around Toronto such as the Mosport, Cayuga and Shannonville race tracks. Daniel even went on to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies at various race events in Cayuga. With a few trophies under his belt from Canadian Sport Compact Series events, Daniel was inspired to continue to build upon the M3, making it his dedicated track car.
Fast forwarding a little bit, Daniel finished school in Ontario and brought the M3 GTR to Calgary. With the M3 now in Calgary, Daniel’s dedication continued as he joined the Calgary Sports Car Club (CSCC), and participated in Time Attacks for two seasons at Race City in Calgary and Stratotech Raceway in Edmonton. Putting the M3 through these rigorous time attacks, Daniel realized that the M3 needed more power. With the M3 GTR looking aggressive as ever, adding the Active Autowerke supercharger kit was the next step for Daniel. Completing the Supercharger kit just last winter, this is how Daniel’s M3 currently sits-and it won’t stop there.
Based on the true facts of anyone with a dedicated project car, Daniel knows that his race inspired M3 is still a work in progress. With plans on adding a fully welded roll cage, a custom rear diffuser, and a new pulley and fuel system projected to make even more power, we could only hope that Calgary gets another track in the future so we can see, and feel, exactly what Daniel’s M3 GTR is capable of.
With Daniel’s BMW M3 GTR not only looking like, but performing like the complete race car, Daniel’s time, patience, passion and commitment definitely exemplify the dedication that anyone looking to build their current or next project car should utilize. So what are you waiting for?
…get dedicated!
Engine.&.Drivetrain
HKS GTS8550 Supercharger
Active Autowerke Intake Manifold w/ Dual By Pass Valve
Active Autowerke RAM AIR intake
Active Autowerke Front Mount Air to Air Intercooler
Active Autowerke Methanol Injection System
Supercharger Oil Cooler
High Performance AA Spec Green Filter
Active Autowerke High Performance Software
HPF Oil Cooler
HPF Engine Cover
Auto Solutions Short Shift
BMW Motorsport Fan Clutch
Agency Power Catless Headers
Unobtainium Welding 3″ Catback Exhaust
Suspension
Ground Control Race Suspension with Advance Design 2 way Adjustable Shocks and Swift springs
Ground Control Race Sway Bars
Ground Control RTABs and FCABs
Ground Control Camber Plates
Turner Motorsport Rear Control Arms
Turner Motorsport Subframe Reinforcement Kit with added custom reinforcement steel plates
Rogue Engineering Race Brace
Active Autowerke Rear Strut Bar
Brakes
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Alcon Aerospace Alloy Aluminum 6-piston calipers
UUC Slotted Rotors
Hawk DTC-70 Race Brake Pads
Bimmerworld Carbon Brake Ducts
Wheels
//Street//
Front: BBS LM 19×10 +25mm offset with 12mm spacers
Rear: BBS LM 19×11 +25mm offset with 25mm wheel spacers
Tires: 275/30/19 (Front) & 305/30/19 (Rear) Hankook V12 Evo
//Track//
Front: Apex ARC-8 18×10 +25mm offset with 12mm spacers
Rear: Apex ARC-8 18×10 +25mm offset with 25mm wheel spacers
Tires: 285/30/18 (Front) & 305/35/18 (Rear) Toyo R888
Interior
ATI E-Pod Gauge Pod
AEM Air/Fuel and Boost Gauges
Jaffster Shift Knob
Recaro Pole Position Seats
Raven Motorsports Half Cage
Schroth driver and passenger 6 point harnesses
Exterior
Flossman GTR Widebody Kit
Vorsteiner GTR Hood
Brooks Motorsport GTR Rear Wing
Umnitza Angel Eyes
Smoked LED Tail Lights
For more pictures of Daniel’s BMW M3 GTR, please check out our Flickr page HERE
