Race a Bimmer on the weekend? Hate ordering parts (and paying the premium) from Europe? Well, your prayers have been answered, as BMW Motorsports parts are now available directly to U.S. customers. The move means grassroots and pro teams will have better access, and likely at lower prices, than ever before.

The full catalog of parts is available at the BMW Motorsport site, and you can order directly or head to one of the four BMW centers selling the parts over the counter. There’s one in Atlanta, one in Westmont, Illinois, one Stratham, New Hampshire, and the fourth in Solon, Ohio. The current parts catalogs support 2008 Z4s, 1995-present M3s, and 2006-present 3-Series sedans.

That won’t do anything for the Spec E30 crowd, but they’re used to “alternative” sourcing (junkyards, parts cars and aftermarket) by now anyway. The E36 and E46 3-Series BMWs are frequently found on autocross courses, HPDEs, track days and amateur races around the country, though, so there’ll be plenty of people glad to hear the news, and the high-rollers in the E90 hardware or newer Z4s will also be able to stock their rigs with plenty of gear.

The parts are only intended for use on “motorsport/racing/off-road BMW vehicles” of course, so you may be out of luck if you want to mod your daily driver and stay street-legal. But isn’t it time to gut it, cage it, and throw some real hardware at it anyway?

[Source: BMW Motorsports Parts Now Available For U.S. - MotorAuthority, Via: German Car Forum]

Audi may unveil a new concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

While details are limited, Audi stated their press conference will feature a “showcar (that) underscores Vorsprung durch Technik (advancement through technology).”

We’re not exactly sure what to expect, but Audi’s production timetable seems to suggest the company will unveil a concept version of the next-generation A3 or A6. Other possibilities include the long-rumored R4 roadster and the entry-level Q3 crossover. Audi will also show the new A8 which was unveiled earlier this month in Miami.

[Source and more info: Autoblog]

We’ve learned via an official from Audi of Singapore that its parent group Volkswagen might be entering Formula 1 in the coming seasons if the costs continue to come down. Reinhold Carl, the managing director of Audi Singapore, is quoted by the Straits Times newspaper that while budgets are dropping, teams are still facing over a hundred million euros to keep their Formula 1 programs running.

“If the cost is lower, it will be more manageable”, he told reporters.

It may be a bit late since many great marques have recently dropped out of the race, BMW, Jaguar, Honda have already pulled out, and there are rumors that Toyota and Renalut might follow soon.

One interesting bit of info from his interview is that should VW decide to enter the grand prix competition, it will most likely be under the brands Porsche or Audi, or maybe even Volkswagen! Skoda Formula 1 team anyone?