[Peloton25]

All of those links you just posted actually show #17R except maybe the last one which could possibly be #16R at LeMans qualifying. I am still researching this to be able to provide a definitive answer but at the moment I am leaning towards the last shot also being #17R. The relationships of race numbers on the cars that have worn the short tailed FINA liveries are somewhat difficult to fully explain, but I will try to do my best.

For starters it should be mentioned that GTR #18R actually never raced with the FINA livery. Its only actual racing was done under one of the "Hollywood" liveries in a pair of non-championship races held at the end of the 1996 BPR GT series in Brazil.

BMW AG later ended up with #18R and had it redone to mimic #16R as it appeared during the 1996 LeMans race, however the race number 39 that it wears is not accurate. They now use #18R for promotional events across Europe and the UK. When not out for show, it is kept in the BMW Mobile Tradition Museum in Germany.

Going back in time, GTR #16R definitely wore race number 38 during the 1996 LeMans race. Its sister car, GTR #17R was the one that wore race number 39 during the race. The records I have found from 1996 LeMans Pre-Qualifying also claim that #17R wore 39 and #16R wore 38. Assuming that info is correct, it answers any question of that last photo rather clearly.

The only other race these two GTRs were used for was the Silverstone round of the BPR GT series that year in preparation for their assault on LeMans. At Silverstone, GTR #16R wore race number 25 and GTR #17R wore race number 24.

GTR #17R typically wore the American flag graphics on both rear fenders and was sponsored by BMW USA, whereas GTR#16R wore the British flag on one rear fender and the French flag on the other, as it was sponsored by BMW of Great Britain and BMW France. It is possible that this regional sponsorship was reversed on the cars at LeMans pre-qualifying. In fact, it seems likely that was the case given that the reference material I have found states that the race numbers were not swapped between the chassis numbers.

Along with the number changes and possible sponsorship swaps, the cars also wore the additional cover over the roof scoop from the start of the '96 LeMans race, and during a portion of the race it seems they swapped in the bubble headlights - I assume added on a stop for fuel prior to nightfall and then left on through the end of the event. This can make it even more confusing for someone who might not be extremely familiar with the differing looks of the GTRs. It still catches me out sometimes.

Hope this info helps someone.

>8^)
ER