Andrew Meudt Brings 635csi FIA Group A-Spec to Groesbeck Grand Prix

Staff Writer

Andrew Meudt grew up around racing attending IMSA, Indy, and other events since before he can remember. At one particular event, he remembered sitting in the Iconic black #2 GT40, owned by George Stauffer at the time, and he was hooked. Over the years Andrew volunteered and worked for several race teams on my off time learning the intricacies of race cars, how they were built and what worked and didn’t.  This all culminated in a mechanical engineering degree and a career in the aerospace industry.

Andrew will be competing in the Groesbeck Grand Prix time trial in his 1984 BMW 635csi FIA Group A-Spec. The car was originally a European M635csi, imported by an Eastcoast businessman in the early 1990s. The car would be converted to a dedicated track car stripping the interior and having a 4.0L S38 built and installed along with a roll cage and other assorted upgrades.  It was then sold to its 3rd owner in Florida, who raced the car until 2009.

Andrew found the car in late 2017 a few miles from Sebring International Raceway in Florida. After sitting for many years it was in no condition to be put on the track, nor did it have all the proper log books or certifications needed to pass technical inspections. Andrew used the car as the platform to build an authentic FIA Group A 635csi clone, stripping the car its bare shell and installing a new SCCA spec roll cage.

Other added safety features included an FIA compliant seat, fire suppression system, belts, window nets, and ATL Fuel cell.  The entire driveline was pulled to be freshened. After many seasons the 4.0L S38B35 was tired and a rebuild was cost prohibitive so it was sold and shipped to New Zealand. An original FIA Group A specification Alpina M30B35 was built to replace it.  Dyno results showed an impressive 330 flywheel horsepower.  The close-ratio Getrag 265 was also similarly worn and in dire need of a rebuild.  However, to keep costs low a quick-shifting Tremec TKO600 fitted with dog engagement gears was installed in its place.  Brakes were upgraded with period-correct AP Racing calipers, two-piece floating rotors, and center lock hubs.  Two sets of proper 17” center-lock wheels were custom built in England to mimic the styles used in the mid-1980s from BBS and Ronal.

The car has been successfully campaigned throughout the US at multiple SVRA events winning many gold medals in group 12 at Road America, Circuit of the Americas, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  You’ll often see it running with our Group A TWR XJS that was unfortunately unable to attend due to a conflict at Road America.