As this year's presenting sponsor of the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance, BMW will have a major presence, but the BMW race cars are expected to be one of the most popular attractions among spectators.

"BMW racing cars are always a big attraction", said Larry Koch, BMW Group spokesperson. "When we rev up the engines of these cars, everyone takes notice. We are looking forward to bringing our display to Hilton Head, South Carolina for this event ."

The cars are all part of a traveling exhibit that moves across the United States and showcases a variety of BMWs, demonstrating the automaker's performance and technology prowess over its 75 year history of automobile production.

Koch said a favorite with the car enthusiasts will be the BMW M3, including the latest Rolex Series-winning M3 racer and an earlier M3, which won a number of top racing events, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1997 and 1998.

Also on display will be a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR. Featuring a six-liter BMW V12 engine, the car can reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, and has a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour. Only about 100 McLaren F1s were built at a cost of $1 million each. Another winner on display will be the BMW V12 LMR that won the 12 hours of Sebring in 1999. Both of these cars saw competition at the 24 Hours of LeMans in the 1990's and a sister car to the Sebring-winning V12 LMR also won the world's best-known endurance race the same year.