Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 1, 2005... MINI, already known for cornering as if it were on rails, will now offer a special edition that will actually corner on rails. In light of the growing problem of gridlock and rush hour traffic, this special model is adapted to ride on all domestic gauge rail lines throughout North America.

In conjunction with the North American railway system, an exclusive right-of-way has been authorized for the specially equipped MINI to commute via rail during peak hours in major urban centers. This access, once only limited to railway utility trucks is now available to MINI owners who order the special model.

The MINI Pullman can access the railway at any major crossing gate provided care is taken not to enter into the opposing direction of prevailing rail traffic. A new feature in the onboard computer allows the MINI 'motorman' or woman to access individual rail line schedules to plan their travels while on the rails.

The MINI Pullman comes fitted with a special wheel package that easily locks onto standard gauge rail thus allowing MINIs to corner on the roads and the rails with equal aplomb. An upgraded dual air-horn warning system comes standard on the model to alert inattentive pedestrians and vehicles as the MINI Pullman enters into crossing gate areas.

To compliment this new model, MINI has created a line of apparel. Items from overalls to hats are available in a fetching grey ticking-stripe pattern. Accessories for the vehicle include a brass roof-mounted bell and a special auxiliary engine exhaust stack that mounts on the bonnet. For four additional passengers, a specially adapted hitch system allows for the MINI Pullman owner to add the accessory Commuter Caboose.

"Access to the national system of underground subway rail is under consideration, once the logistics of accessing the track through individual subway stations can be solved" said national railway spokesperson Lou Komodeff, "We look forward to sharing the rails with MINI as long as they are 'going our way."

MINI spokesperson, Hugh Moore said, "MINI has mastered the art of cornering on the roads. Now we can claim that MINIs do literally corner on rails." MINI has scheduled the first prototype testing on public railways to commence today, April 1st, 2005 :)
 

FIA World Touring Car Championship
Round 1 - Monza, Italy, 09/10 April 2005

FIA WTCC season opens: the chase for Ravaglia's title begins.

Monza (Italy), The countdown for the curtain-raiser of the FIA WTCC has begun. In six days' time, the first World Touring Car Championship since 1987 kicks off in Monza. The series will visit ten challenging race tracks in three continents. After winning the European Touring Car Championship last year, BMW now enters the FIA WTCC with three national teams driving its tried and tested BMW 320i touring car.

BMW Teams UK, Deutschland and Italy-Spain have undergone an intensive testing programme in preparation for the start of the season. The aim was, within the strict framework of regulations, to further improve the BMW 320i, which contests its final season in 2005. In 2004, Andy Priaulx (GBR) for BMW Team Great Britain had driven this car to take the Drivers' title in the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC), while BMW also secured the Manufacturers' title in the European Championship. This year, the Munich car manufacturers have the World Championship title in their sights.

RADFORD, VA (Mar 25, 2005) – The BimmerWorld Racing team started out
strong this past weekend in the World Challenge Touring Car season
opener. After fair starting positions, all three drivers advanced
through the field to finish with three cars in the top 10.

On Thursday morning as final preparations on the cars' wet setup were
made due to a large storm, the qualifying session was canceled. "I was
disappointed with the decision" explained team owner and driver James
Clay. "I felt we would have put on a strong showing resulting in good
starting positions, but I also realized while watching several cars from
other groups spin after hydroplaning on the straights that it was just
unsafe and a good move by SCCA."

As a result, the cars were gridded for the race based on combined
practice times. "We would have approached practice with different goals
if we could have anticipated this, but overall the cars are capable and
while not optimum for a shot at the race win, our starting positions
were acceptable" stated crew chief Jason Marks.

After a confident start to the 2005 season, the BMW WilliamsF1 Team travels to the unique desert setting of Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team hopes to capitalise on an intense period of development which has seen an unprecedented number of changes brought to the FW27. With varying fortunes in the first two races of the year, the team's driver pairing of Nick Heidfeld and Mark Webber will be seeking to lead the team in a strong and consistent performance in the Middle East before the start of the European season.
Nick Heidfeld:
I feel very confident after my podium in Malaysia, so I am looking forward to the next race in Bahrain. The circuit can be very dirty as it lies in the middle of the desert, so we might see even less people going out at the beginning of the sessions than usual, in particular on the Friday. I think last year's race in Bahrain was one of the most exciting Grands Prix of the season, so it's likely that the fans will see another great race. Like Malaysia, Bahrain will be a hot race, and so a tough challenge for the car, especially the engine. Bahrain will be the second race in a row for my engine, as well as for some of the other drivers on the grid.

18 TALENTED DRIVERS NOW REGISTERD FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Woodcliff  Lake,  NJ  –  March  21,  2005…  BMW  of  North  America,   LLC announced today the six 2005 Formula BMW USA Juniors who will receive a $40,000   scholarship   and   automatic   enrollment   in   Formula   BMW   USA’s Education and Coaching Program.    The   drivers   who   earned   the   scholarships   include   two   Americans,   three Canadians and one Frenchman. Coming from Canada are, Adrien Herberts, 15, of Coquitlam, British Columbia; Kevin LaCroix, 16, of St-Eustache, Quebec; and Robert  Wickens,  16,  of  Etobicoke,  Ontario.  Junior  scholarship  winner  Wade Van  Hooser  declined  the  scholarship  and  the  invitation  was  extended  to  the first-alternate,  Wickens.  If  the  performance  of  2004  Junior  driver  and  Rookie Champion James Hinchcliffe is any indication of the talent North of the border, the 2005 Championship battle will be a tough one.