Mitch Blaschke, an E36 BMW M3, and the Art of Going the Distance
If you know Mitch Blaschke, chances are you know him from TV first. As a fan favorite on Gold Rush, Mitch has built a reputation for mechanical know-how, grit, and getting things done the hard way when needed. But long before television cameras and gold pans, Mitch was a racer—and recently, he’s found his way back behind the wheel in Lucky Dog Endurance Racing.
A Lifelong Passion for Racing
Mitch’s racing roots go back to childhood karting, eventually leading to shifter kart competition at the SKUSA SuperNats and IKF Road Racing Grand Nationals in the early 2000s. The common thread through it all? A genuine love for driving.
That passion is what drew him to Lucky Dog Endurance Racing, where large amounts of track time allow drivers to truly get into a rhythm. Sharing the car with teammates, learning from different driving styles, and competing in long-format races is what makes endurance racing special.
The Car: A Purpose-Built E36 for Endurance
Mitch’s BMW is a 1999 M3 running the venerable S52 engine—an underdog in a class increasingly filled with S54 and LS-powered cars.
Key specs include:
Chassis: 1999 BMW M3 (E36)
Engine: S52, tuned by KO Racing
Engine Management: Link ECU
Suspension: MCS 1-way
Brakes: Cobalt XR-2 pads front and rear with M3 rotors and calipers
Aero: APR rear wing
Fuel System: Fuel Safe fuel cell
Data: AIM MXL2
Safety: Lifeline belts, RaceQuip seat
Drivetrain: Diffsonline LSD
The team acquired the car in December 2023 after it had already seen competition in Lucky Dog with Hall Pass Racing. Coming off the completion of a Spec E46 build, the E36 was a natural fit—familiar, capable, and full of potential.
Constant Evolution in a Competitive Field
Since taking ownership, the car has been in a constant state of refinement Mitch told us. Competing against higher-horsepower builds has forced Mitch and his team to focus on maximizing what they already have—run ability, suspension setup, and driver confidence.
“The S52 may not have the horsepower,” Mitch says, “so we’re working on making the car as strong as possible everywhere else.”
An S54 swap is likely in the future, but for now the goal is clear: extract every ounce of performance from the current package before chasing more power.
Results That Speak for Themselves
That approach has paid off with strong, consistent finishes in Lucky Dog.
P2 – A Class, Laguna Seca (2024)
P5 – A Class, Portland International Raceway (2025)
P4 – B Class, 1000 Miles of Thunderhill (2025)
P5 – A Class, Laguna Seca (2026)
Endurance racing rewards consistency, and this BMW has proven it can run at the front hour after hour.
The Mod That Matters Most: Brakes
When asked which modification has made the biggest difference, the answer was immediate.
“Everyone that has driven the car says the same thing—the brakes are the best part of the car. Consistent and great performance.”
In endurance racing, brakes aren’t just about stopping power. They’re about confidence, repeatability, and knowing the pedal will feel the same at hour eight as it did on lap one. That’s exactly what our Cobalt XR-2 pads are designed for.
One thing will definitely stay the same,” Mitch adds. “The brakes.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
As schedules allow, Mitch plans to keep racing as much as possible, with Lucky Dog events already on the calendar at Sonoma, Portland, and Thunderhill. The long-term vision is clear: continue improving the car’s handling and driver performance first, then add power when the platform is fully optimized.
Just as important as the racing itself is the Lucky Dog community.
“Awesome people at the racetrack,” Mitch says. “The mix of cars and driver abilities makes for some really fun racing.”
Built for the Long Haul
Mitch Blaschke’s E36 M3 is a perfect example of what endurance racing is all about—smart decisions, relentless development, and components you can trust when it matters most. We’re proud to support his program and look forward to seeing Mitch and Blaschke Motorsports competing for more podiums the rest of the season!