There have been a few enquiries from potential new entrants into the CSL Cup regarding the series allowing non BMW standard ECU’s into the E46 class, currently the series regulations prohibit the use of anything other than the standard BMW ECU. The reason for this technical rule is to ensure that the cars can be effectively policed in terms of power from the engine subject to the other technical regulations allowing power modifications. With all the cars running standard ECU’s each car can be policed simply and effectively  to ensure a level playing field in terms of power.

There are currently no plans to relax this rule for the E46 class for the 2010 or 2011 seasons.

E46 model BMW’s (along with the E92 M3 and other BMW race cars) are still eligible for the CSL Cup in the open class, a class specifically designed to allow greater modifications with less stringent technical regulations and this class still qualifies for prize giving and podium places.

However, as a series we are keen to listen to competitors and will work to ensure the series continues to grow to its full potential and do not seek to run the technical regulations of the series in a draconian manner, as such we will during the 2010 season consult all CSL Cup competing drivers to consider any amendments to the technical regulations.

It is important to note that our motivation is purely to ensure the best race series for the EXISTING drivers and teams, no weight will be given to any opinion offered by potential drivers or teams looking to attempt to change the technical regulations before they commit to enter the series, to our minds the series should be dictated by its supporting drivers and teams and not by those who do not share the commitment showed by others.

So, for those teams and drivers wishing to enter the CSL Cup but also wishing to look to add their voice to the technical regulations for the series they need to register and enter for the 2010 season from the first round. All E46 models with aftermarket ECU’s will be placed in the open class in accordance with the regulations but you’ll still get to race against the others cars which will allow us to performance measure the cars in a more open environment. It is safe to say that those drivers or teams looking to enter the final round just to get a say in next years regulations are likely to be ignored by those competitors who have committed for the full season.

The CSL Cup prides itself in being both a highly professional series as well as one run for the benefit of the competitors, the series itself is more valuable than a single driver or teams views but it only gains its value from the consensus of all the drivers and teams – that is how it should be.