Recently, Laurel BMW of Westmont (Laurel BMW) had an event introducing its special Laurel Motorsport M2 Edition art wrap car. It’s a street legal track car with an artsy spin. The M2 turned out so well that it’s headed to the 2018 Chicago Auto Show.
The dealership started with a base model M2 and transformed it into a street legal track car using M Performance Parts and racing accessories. To add some character to the vehicle, they had a nationwide ‘M2 Art Wrap Design Competition,’ for artists, creatives and car enthusiasts to construct the car wrap of their dreams. The winners were announced on November 10th via Laurel BMW’s social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.
GM, Pat Womack, is known for going above and beyond the status quo. He stated, “We built the M2 track car, but wanted to do something more, so we created the art wrap contest. The winning design is fantastic and the car turned out great. We’ve had such a positive response. It’ll certainly be a showstopper on the BMW stand during the Chicago Auto Show next year.”
Maui fine artist, Brad Forsythe, won first and second place in the competition (voting was anonymous to ensure fairness). He has spent a lifetime working in the creative arts field and has been honored with numerous local, regional and national industry awards for creative excellence. In 2014, he began collaborating with legendary surfboard shaper and global brand Jimmy Lewis creating original art for carbon fiber surfboards.
Forsythe commented, “What a thrill to have my work selected for Laurel BMW of Westmont’s inaugural ‘M2 Art Wrap Competition’ – it’s such a huge honor. I’m so humbled to represent our island of Maui and the aloha state to BMW enthusiasts in the greater Chicagoland area and around the globe.”
The winning design is based on one of Forsythe’s mixed media paintings titled “Moving Along.” He chose a small segment from the piece that would read as an abstract coloring of the American flag, and with Photoshop, stretched the canvas to reflect speed and performance then added bold stars to complete the artwork.
One of the judges, BMW Group VP of Art and Culture, Thomas Girst “…appreciates the juxtaposition of the stars with the colorful abstract expressionist background, which reminds us both of the US flag, as well as, of one of the greatest American art movements.”
Forsythe said, “I felt viewers would appreciate a more spirited theme that goes along so well with the power, beauty and sleek design of the BMW M2.”
Womack emphasized that collaboration was the key to their success. “We’d like to thank everyone who participated in this project – our team at Laurel BMW, H&R Springs, Hoosier Tires, Fall-Line Motorsports, and Cutting Edge Graphics also, the judges Bobby Rahal, Will Turner, BMW’s Trudy Hardy and Thomas Girst, BMW CCA’s Len Rayburn – and last but not least, all of the contestants.”
Currently, the vehicle is on display at Laurel BMW of Westmont and will be showcased on the BMW stand at the 2018 Chicago Auto Show in February.
[Photography: Maggie McKay]