Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 6, 2026… BMW M Motorsport and BMW of North America congratulate Bill Auberlen, Brian Redman, and Hans-Joachim Stuck on their induction into the IMSA Hall of Fame. The three celebrated drivers, whose achievements are deeply connected to BMW racing history, were officially enshrined as members of the Hall’s fourth class during the WeatherTech Night of Champions following the Motul Petit Le Mans IMSA season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

The 2026 IMSA Hall of Fame class recognizes six drivers and four race cars whose accomplishments helped shape more than five decades of North American sports car racing. For BMW M Motorsport, the induction of Auberlen, Redman, and Stuck is a fitting tribute to three exceptional competitors who delivered landmark performances in BMW racing cars across multiple eras.

Bill Auberlen: IMSA’s All-Time Victory Leader

Bill Auberlen stands as the winningest driver in IMSA championship-level competition, with a record 65 class victories from more than 450 career starts between 1987 and 2023. A three-time IMSA champion, the longtime BMW driver earned two class victories at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, four at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, three at Motul Petit Le Mans, and four at

the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen. His victories at 24 different circuits reflect both the breadth of his career and the enduring competitiveness of the BMW race cars he has driven.

Brian Redman: A Defining Figure in BMW’s North American Racing Story

Brian Redman’s sports car racing career combined international success with an important place in BMW’s North American competition history. His IMSA record includes 12 class victories, the 1981 IMSA GTX championship, two Rolex 24 At Daytona wins, and two Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring victories. Redman’s performances in the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL helped establish BMW as a major force in American endurance racing and created some of the marque’s most enduring motorsport memories.

Hans-Joachim Stuck: Versatility, Speed and Endurance-Racing Excellence

Hans-Joachim Stuck built a world-class career defined by speed, versatility, and success in the sport’s most demanding races. His record includes multiple victories at Daytona and Sebring, triumphs at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Nürburgring, and the 1985 World Sportscar Championship. Across his long association with BMW, Stuck competed in a wide range of BMW racing machinery and became one of the most recognizable ambassadors of the brand’s motorsport heritage.

“When it all began 31 years ago in the BMW M3 E36, who would have thought that I would drive all these amazing race cars in all these championships?” said Bill Auberlen. “So many great victories, so many great memories with so many colleagues! I’ve been with the best drivers, engineers, mechanics. Everybody at BMW M Motorsport put all their heart and soul into each program. That made my job as a driver a lot easier.  I have literally enjoyed every day of these 31 years working with BMW. I am more than proud to have been a part of it and eternally thankful for everything.”

Three Careers, One Enduring BMW Legacy

“Bill Auberlen, Brian Redman, and Hans Stuck represent the very best of motorsport: talent, determination, and an enduring passion for competition. Their remarkable achievements have helped shape BMW’s racing heritage and inspire generations of fans. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and the lasting contribution each has made to IMSA and to BMW M Motorsport.” – Adam McGregor, BMW NA Motorsport and Customer Racing Manager

BMW Group in the United States

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 355 BMW retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 37 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

For more information about BMW Group’s business and products in the U.S., please visit: PressClub USA.

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• BMW celebrates 20 years as title sponsor of the BMW Championship, continuing a partnership that has raised more than $63 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007.
• All proceeds benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, providing life-changing educational opportunities for deserving young caddies across the country.
• Record crowds welcomed the world's top golfers back to Bellerive Country Club, with more than 150,000 fans attending the 2026 BMW Championship.

St. Louis, MO  – August 23, 2026… BMW congratulates Wyndham Clark on winning the 2026 BMW Championship today at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri.

Closing out an outstanding week at Bellerive Country Club, Wyndham Clark finished at 17-under-par 263 to win the 2026 BMW Championship by three strokes over Patrick Cantlay and advance to next week's TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Clark entered the final round with a five-shot lead, was caught by Rory McIlroy on the back nine and then birdied each of the final three holes to secure the victory.

“I had to grind all day. That's kind of what we love as athletes and we chase after the moment,” said Clark after closing with three straight birdies to earn his first BMW Championship victory at Bellerive Country Club. “As much as I would've liked to have run away with this, it was fun getting the juices flowing, and really feel the angst coming down at the end.”

Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America, was joined by Chairman of the Western Golf Association, Andrew Langan for the presentation of the BMW Championship and J.K. Wadley trophies on the 18th green following play.

“Each year, this event brings together the world’s best golfers, passionate fans and valued partners for an unforgettable week of championship golf,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “As we celebrate 20 years as title sponsor, the extraordinary skill, precision and performance displayed on the course reflect the same pursuit of excellence that defines the BMW brand. Most importantly, the tournament’s impact extends well beyond the course, creating life-changing educational opportunities through the Evans Scholars Foundation. Congratulations to Wyndham Clark on an exceptional victory, and thank you to everyone who made this year’s championship such a tremendous success.”

The 2026 BMW Championship generated tremendous momentum throughout the week, welcoming more than 150,000 fans to Bellerive Country Club and surpassing attendance projections. Opening-round attendance topped 28,000 spectators, setting a Thursday attendance record for the tournament and helping create one of the most energetic atmospheres of the FedExCup Playoffs.

The 2026 BMW Championship marked BMW's 20th year as title sponsor and the tournament's return to Bellerive Country Club for the first time since 2008. Throughout championship week, BMW welcomed fans with interactive experiences, premium hospitality, displays of the all-new BMW X5, the all-electric BMW iX3 and the updated BMW 7 Series, and the BMW Experience featuring custom vehicles inspired by PGA TOUR professionals. BMW also served as the exclusive presenting partner of Chasing Sunday: The BMW Championship, offering fans behind-the-scenes access throughout the week.

In addition to crowning one of golf's top players, the BMW Championship also demonstrated its lasting impact through the Evans Scholars Foundation. Since becoming title sponsor in 2007, BMW has helped raise more than $63 million for the Foundation, creating life-changing educational opportunities for more than 4,300 deserving young caddies through full tuition and housing scholarships.

One of the week's most meaningful moments came as BMW and the Western Golf Association recognized Juliya Tabaka as the newest BMW Hole-in-One Scholar. Tabaka's scholarship was made possible by Akshay Bhatia's ace during the third round of the 2025 BMW Championship, continuing one of the tournament's signature traditions of transforming unforgettable moments on the course into life-changing educational opportunities

Beyond the competition, fans enjoyed interactive experiences throughout the BMW Experience, premium hospitality venues, custom BMW vehicles inspired by PGA TOUR professionals, and displays of BMW's newest vehicles, including the all-new BMW X5, the all-electric BMW iX3 and the updated BMW 7 Series. Together, these experiences showcased BMW's commitment to innovation, performance, and the premium customer experience.

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $63 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation

Established in 1930 by the Western Golf Association and celebrated amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means. This year, a record 1,310 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 28 leading universities nationwide. Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception, more than 12,870 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.

# # #

• Tabaka receives Evans Scholarship following Akshay Bhatia’s ace at the 2025 BMW Championship.

St. Louis, MO  – August 19, 2026… BMW of North America and the Western Golf Association announced today that Juliya Tabaka of Manchester, Missouri, has been named the newest BMW Hole-in-One Scholar. Tabaka will receive a full, four-year Evans Scholarship covering tuition and housing at the University of Missouri as a result of Akshay Bhatia’s ace during the third round of the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Tabaka, a caddie at Bellerive Country Club, is the seventh recipient of a BMW Hole-in-One Scholarship, which awards a full tuition and housing grant to a deserving young caddie in the name of the first player to record a hole-in-one during tournament play at the BMW Championship. This year’s celebration will be especially meaningful because the 2026 BMW Championship will be held at Bellerive Country Club, where Tabaka caddied.

“Being named the BMW Hole-in-One Scholar means so much to me and my family,” Tabaka said. “My mom has made countless sacrifices to give my siblings and me every opportunity, and this scholarship will allow me to study animal sciences at the University of Missouri as I pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to thank Akshay in person for his incredible shot that helped make this possible.”

Since 2007, the BMW Championship has raised $63 million for the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s sole charity, helping to send more than 4,860 caddies to college. This year marks the 20-year anniversary of the partnership between BMW and the WGA/ESF.

Tabaka had the chance to meet Bhatia and thank him in person at the 2026 BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

“Akshay’s hole-in-one was an unforgettable moment, and its impact now extends far beyond the golf course,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW of North America. “Through our longstanding partnership with the Western Golf Association, BMW is proud to help Juliya and other deserving young caddies pursue their college dreams. We look forward to seeing all she accomplishes at Missouri and beyond.”

During the 2026-27 academic year, a record 1,310 caddies will be enrolled at 28 universities nationwide as Evans Scholars.

“We are incredibly grateful to BMW for its continued commitment to creating life-changing opportunities for Evans Scholars,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “Juliya has demonstrated the work ethic, academic achievement and character we look for in every Evans Scholar. It is especially fitting to recognize her at Bellerive, where she has caddied, and we know she will make the most of this opportunity at the University of Missouri.”

Previous BMW Hole-in-One Scholarship recipients include:

• Diana Llamas (2022): Named in honor of Viktor Hovland, who aced the second hole during the final round of the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Brooklyn Gabriel (2017): Named in honor of Jason Day, who aced the 17th hole during the second round of the 2017 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.
• Hayden Bauschka (2015):  Named in honor of Jordan Spieth, who aced the second hole during the first round of the 2015 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.
• Melyzjah Smith (2013): Named in honor of Hunter Mahan, who aced the par-3 17th hole during the third round of the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.
• Mark Abtahi (2012):  Named in honor of Steve Stricker, who aced the par-3 sixth hole during the second round of the 2012 BMW Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.
• Haelena Schwemmer (2010): Named in honor of Sean O’Hair, who aced the par-3 second hole during the second round of the 2010 BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois.

For more information about the BMW Championship, visit BMWChampionship.com. To learn more about the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation, visit wgaesf.org.

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $63 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation

Established in 1930 by the Western Golf Association and celebrated amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means. This year, a record 1,310 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 28 leading universities nationwide. Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception, more than 12,870 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.

# # #

• The penultimate event of the PGA TOUR playoffs for the FedExCup cup takes place August 18-23.
• The Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am will officially kick off championship week with special guests including U.S. Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk, St. Louis legend Ozzie Smith and more.
• Guests will enjoy interactive fan challenges, premium hospitality venues, custom vehicles inspired by PGA TOUR players, and opportunities to experience BMW’s latest models up close, including the all-new BMW X5, electric BMW iX3, and updated BMW 7 Series flagship sedan.
• All proceeds support the Evans Scholars Foundation. The BMW Championship has raised over $63 million since 2007, creating life-changing educational opportunities for over 4,300 young caddies.

St. Louis, MO  – August 18, 2026… The BMW Championship returns to St. Louis for the first time since 2008, as the top 50 players on the PGA TOUR compete at historic Bellerive Country Club for a place in the TOUR Championship and continue their pursuit of the FedExCup.

This year's championship also marks BMW's 20th year as title sponsor of the PGA TOUR event. Since becoming title sponsor in 2007, the BMW Championship has been named PGA TOUR Tournament of the Year a record six times while raising more than $63 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Throughout tournament week, BMW welcomes fans to engage in a variety of experiences across the grounds at Bellerive while showcasing its newest vehicles, including the all-new BMW X5, electric BMW iX3 and updated BMW 7 Series flagship sedan. From product displays and premium hospitality venues to interactive fan activations, the BMW Championship serves as a unique platform for BMW to connect with customers while supporting a truly meaningful partner organization; the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Bringing BMW to Bellerive.

The brand’s presence will be felt throughout tournament week with vehicle displays positioned at key locations across the course. Guests will be able to experience a wide range of BMW products, including BMW M models, electrified vehicles and several of the newest additions to BMW’s portfolio like the recently unveileved BMW X5; proudly assembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina for more than 25 years.

A centerpiece of this year's activation is the opportunity for fans of the game and the Ultimate Driving Machine to view custom BMW models created in collaboration with PGA TOUR players. Displayed within the BMW Experience zone, these vehicles showcase the personalities and passions of some of golf's most recognizable names while creating a unique connection between the sport and the BMW brand.

New for 2026.

This year's event introduces a new twist on one of the tournament's most anticipated traditions.

For the first time, PGA TOUR players will select their preferred Hole-in-One prize, choosing between the all-new BMW X5 and the all-electric BMW iX3. Should a player record a hole-in-one on the designated par-three 16th hole during tournament play, they will drive home in the vehicle they selected.

BMW will also serve as the exclusive presenting partner of Chasing Sunday: The BMW Championship, a new digital content collaboration with the PGA TOUR and NFL Films designed to bring fans closer to the action through authentic behind-the-scenes storytelling and player access.

Fun Throughout Championship Week.

Wednesday's Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am will once again bring together PGA TOUR professionals alongside notable figures from sports, entertainment and golf culture. Participants are expected to include golf personality Roger Steele, golf content creator Sara Winters, golf content creator Mac Boucher, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk, St. Louis Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith, and a member of the Savannah Bananas, with additional details on the Savannah Bananas integration to be announced.

The BMW Experience will serve as a central fan destination featuring interactive golf challenges, giveaways and displays of custom BMW vehicles. Guests will also have opportunities to test their skills through "Beat the Pro" chipping and putting challenges inspired by PGA TOUR professionals.

Special for BMW Owners.

Located in the heart of the action overlooking the par-three 16th hole with views of the 10th and 15th greens, the BMW Owners' Pavilion is exclusively available to BMW owners and one guest upon presentation of a BMW key fob or Digital Key in the My BMW App. The pavilion offers a premium hospitality experience with one of the event’s best viewing locations, allowing owners to enjoy tournament action from a unique vantage point throughout the week.

Driving Impact Through the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Beyond the competition, the BMW Championship continues to generate meaningful impact through its support of the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Since BMW became title sponsor in 2007, the tournament has contributed more than $63 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping support more than 4,300 Evans Scholars with life-changing educational opportunities. BMW's hole-in-one scholarship program remains a signature part of this commitment. Any hole-in-one recorded during tournament play will result in an additional Evans Scholarship on behalf of the PGA TOUR professional responsible for the ace. This week’s festivities will include recognition of the newest BMW Hole-in-One Scholar, Juliya Tabaka, whose scholarship was made possible by Akshay Bhatia’s shot during last year’s event.

###

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $63 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation

Established in 1930 by the Western Golf Association and celebrated amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means. This year, a record 1,310 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 28 leading universities nationwide. Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception, more than 12,870 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.

# # #

• SDK and BMW M 1000 RR win Race 1 and podium in Race 2.
• Jayson Uribe closes the gap in Championship standings.
• Kaleb De Keyrel makes his return onboard third OrangeCat Racing BMW.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 3, 2026 . . .With three race weekends remaining, Sean Dylan Kelly, Jayson Uribe, OrangeCat Racing and the BMW M 1000 RR depart MotoAmerica Superbikes at Mid-Ohio with another excellent result, further extending their lead in the Quad-Lock Superbike Class.

Jayson Uribe’s weekend began with a time good enough for third place in Free Practice 1 which he followed by an excellent qualifying time, putting himself on Row 2 for the start of both Superbike races. Sean Dylan Kelly qualified on the front row, which would give him the opportunity to use the M 1000 RR’s power to take the lead at the start on both Saturday and Sunday.

Kelly took the lead early during Race 1 but moved back to P3 after three laps. He  immediately began his attack to retake the lead, which he did with six laps to go. From then on, he was never really in danger of relinquishing his position, winning the race with a comfortable cushion. Uribe brought his BMW M 1000 RR home in P9, adding important points to his Championship standings.

Sunday’s Race 2 proved again just how hard all the riders in MotoAmerica push themselves and their machines. Multiple accidents led to two red flag race stops, the second stop finally resulting in the race being called, as enough laps had been completed according to the regulations. Although Kelly lead the race from the initial start, when the race was stopped the second time, he was in P2, resulting in his third 2^nd place finish of the 2026 season. Jayson Uribe’s pace and patience was rewarded with a P6 finish, closing his gap to seventh place in the season Championship to just one point.

Kaleb De Keyrel made the most of his first weekend onboard the No. 51 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR by finishing 2^nd in both races, earning valuable points towards the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup Championship, which replaced last year’s Stock 1000 Class.

Sean Dylan Kelly (rider No. 40 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR): “Another extremely positive weekend. In terms of points, our best one to date, I felt so good from FP1, my BMW M 1000 RR was incredible from the start. I felt very connected with the bike and I'm proud of the work that we've been doing because it's now showing. I'm proud of the win that we got yesterday and the clear pace that we had today. Again, unfortunate that we couldn't show everything we had with the race getting cut short, but we take the positives. Thank you to all of BMW Motorrad Motorsport and let's keep it going.”

Jayson Uribe (rider No. 36 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR): “From my side of the garage here it was a pretty solid weekend. We had some ups, we had some downs, but at the end of the day, we learned a lot about my riding and the bike set up, especially on hard tires.  We know that we can be fast on soft tires. I just need to be able to transition that to the harder tires as well. We have a lot of good information to take moving on to testing and the next few rounds. I'm confident that we'll continue to improve and fight for those top fives like I know we should be.”

Kaleb De Keyrel (rider No. 51 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR): “It was amazing to get back on the BMW again; I absolutely loved that motorcycle when I raced it before and I still love it. One of my favorite bikes. So, it was just really cool to get out in the Superbike Cup Class. I've never raced in that class before and was a great. The bike handled amazing all weekend here at Mid-Ohio and hopefully looking forward to doing some more.”

Quad Lock Superbike Championship Standings

After six rounds of Quad Lock Superbike racing, Sean Dylan Kelly extends his Championship lead by 24 points. Jayson Uribe is in 8^th, just 1 point behind 7^th place.

Next Race

MotoAmerica Superbikes return on August 14-16, 2026, at VIR, Virginia International Raceway.

About OrangeCat Racing

OrangeCat Racing is a professional motorcycle racing team based in Chicago, competing at the national level in MotoAmerica. OrangeCat Racing thrives on competition, on challenging itself, and on learning and growing together. The team’s dedicated to expanding the reach of motorcycle racing, sharing the experience of it, and creating an environment where riders can fully focus on their craft.

For 2026, OrangeCat Racing is competing for MotoAmerica’s Superbike class as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport official team. They’re also competing in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class aboard the electric Lightfighter motorcycle. For more information about OrangeCat Racing, visit www.orangecatracing.com.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 359 BMW retailers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available on-line at www.press.bmwna.com, www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bmwmotorradusa

X: https://x.com/bmwmotorradusa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bmwmotorradusa

• SDK and BMW M 1000 RR finish on the podium in both weekend races.
• Eight podium finishes from ten races for the OrangeCat Racing team.
• Jayson Uribe moves up four spots in season Championship points.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – July 13, 2026 . . .The OrangeCat Racing Team, Sean Dylan Kelly, Jayson Uribe and the BMW M 1000 RR continued their charge for the 2026 MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike Championship by adding two more podium finishes at this weekend’s Superbike Speedfest at Monterey. Making the tally eight podium finishes, including two wins,  out of ten Superbike races this season for SDK and the BMW M-RR.

Kelly’s OrangeCat Racing teammate, Jayson Uribe, had one of his best weekends this season, qualifying 4^th, actually ahead of his Championship-leading fellow team rider, Sean Dylan Kelly. Very good finishes in both Races 1 and 2 at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, catapults Uribe from 12^th to 8^th position in the Championship.

Sean Dylan Kelly has become a fan favorite, thanks to his fearless overtakes this season, and Race 1 on Saturday was to be no different. Kelly found himself in 4^th position towards the end of the race, just a few tenths of a second behind the 3^rd place rider. The atmosphere was electric as spectators, viewers and announcers could feel that an attack from SDK was to happen soon as time was running out. They were not disappointed as Kelly let off the brakes, going into the very last turn of the very last lap of the race, taking the final podium spot with an inside pass. It was then a drag race to the finish line but the BMW M 1000 RR had the power to bring him home in 3^rd.

Jayson Uribe meanwhile struggled a bit with extracting the maximum pace possible from his BMW but still found enough speed to finish 6^th, his second-best finish of the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike Season.

Sunday’s Race 2 saw the two OrangeCat Racing teammates startingfrom similar positions and Sean Dylan Kelly would again find himself in the familiar position of chasing the 3^rd place rider. He would not wait until the very end to make his move, however as he put himself on the podium with five laps to go. SDK then set his eyes on P2 and although he closed the gap, time just ran out for him to make another exciting move. The two 3^rd place finishes places Kelly into the lead of the Quad Lock Superbike Championship.

Jayson Uribe showed tremendous pace at the start of the race and brought his M-RR home in 8^th position, earning 18 very important points over the weekend, his best result of the season, and moving himself up four spots in the season Championship.

Sean Dylan Kelly (rider No. 40 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR): “It was nice to have my BMW on the podium for both races this. We had some tough races and we weren’t able to do the pace I wanted to do in the hot conditions come race time but we managed to get a last lap pass on Saturday for the podium and made a big step forward on Sunday which is extremely important for us to be a lot closer to the win and get on the box. It’s great to be leading the championship but now it’s time to stay focused on Mid-Ohio.”

Jayson Uribe (rider No. 36 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR): “It was an eventful weekend at Laguna Seca but we had a lot of good things too. We qualified P4 which is my best in Superbike. Being so close to pole is a huge win and something I want to continue to do moving forward. The races didn’t go quite my way given factors out of my control. I was never quite able to get to the pace I know we’re cable of when it mattered the most. While frustrated, it was a learning experience and I’m thankful for the OrangeCat and BMW Motorrad team and I’m looking forward to Mid-Ohio.”

Quad Lock Superbike Championship Standings

After five rounds of Quad Lock Superbike racing, Sean Dylan Kelly extends his Championship lead by 11 points. Jayson Uribe moves up from 12^th position to 8^th, just eight points behind 7^th place.

Next Race

MotoAmerica Superbikes return on July 31 – Aug. 2, 2026, at Mid-Ohio.

About OrangeCat Racing

OrangeCat Racing is a professional motorcycle racing team based in Chicago, competing at the national level in MotoAmerica. OrangeCat Racing thrives on competition, on challenging itself, and on learning and growing together. The team’s dedicated to expanding the reach of motorcycle racing, sharing the experience of it, and creating an environment where riders can fully focus on their craft.

For 2026, OrangeCat Racing is competing for MotoAmerica’s Superbike class as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport official team. They’re also competing in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class aboard the electric Lightfighter motorcycle. For more information about OrangeCat Racing, visit www.orangecatracing.com.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 359 BMW retailers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available on-line at www.press.bmwna.com, www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bmwmotorradusa

X: https://x.com/bmwmotorradusa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bmwmotorradusa

• SDK and BMW M 1000 RR capture their 2^nd win of the 2026 Superbike season.
• Six podium finishes in eight races for the OrangeCat Racing team.
• Jayson Uribe picks up valuable Championship points with heroic 8^th place finish.

  Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 28, 2026 . . . In a last lap thriller that defines MotoAmerica Superbike racing, Sean Dylan Kelly, and hisNo. 40 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR,pulled off a spectacular pass at the end of Race 2, to take their 2^nd win and 6^th podium finish of the 2026 season.

The weekend at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA began with some very wet practice sessions on Friday. By Saturday’s Qualifying, the sun had come out and the two OrangeCat Racing riders qualified 4^th (Kelly) and 11^th (Uribe). The rain came back for Race 1 however, making it a very cautious affair for all riders.

Race 1 

Sean Dylan Kelly would start from Row 2 (4^th position) with his teammate Jayson Uribe forced to the back of the grid and the 20^th starting grid spot due to a penalty from the previous round. From the start, Kelly found himself pushed out of the front runner group and carefully navigated the wet conditions to bring his BMW M 1000 RR home without incident in 7^th position. Meanwhile Jayson Uribe put in a heroic effort to fight his way from 20^th to 8th picking up some very important Championship points in the process.

Race 2 

The conditions improved for Sunday’s Race 2, and it was immediately obvious that the pace required pushing 100% from start to finish. Kelly would again start from 4^th position with Uribe starting from 19^th again, serving a penalty from Road America. After three laps, Kelly found himself in the non-familiar for him 7^th position while Uribe had fought his way back up to 11^th.  At the half-way mark, both riders were making good progress with SDK back up to his starting position of 4^th and Uribe running in 10^th. With just three laps to go, Jayson’s battle was to come to an unfortunate end as a mechanical issue forced him to back into the pits, ending his hopes of a second top ten finish during the weekend. His teammate Sean Dylan Kelly meanwhile had set his sights onto the lead rider and did not let go. With just two turns to go in the race, SDK made his move in spectacular fashion, taking the lead and winning the race to the cheers of his OrangeCat Racing teammates and the fans.

Sean Dylan Kelly (rider No. 40 OrangeCat BMW M 1000 RR): “I’m really happy to get our second win of the season in race 2 on Sunday. That was the best I have felt with my BMW so far, and I really believe that was the best race of my career. It was not an easy weekend at all, with a couple of crashes, having to manage some pain, and a very tough race in the wet on Saturday, finishing in P7. Sunday’s race in the dry didn’t start off too smoothly, finding myself in P8 at one point, but I was able to start making passes and felt strong. It was a tight finish with a pass for the lead with just a few corners to go. I’m grateful for the package I have to be fighting up front and I’m looking forward to Laguna Seca in a couple of weeks. Thank you all.”

Jayson Uribe (rider No. 36 OrangeCat BMW M 1000 RR): “We knew going into this round that we’d be on the back foot with a pretty severe penalty we had to serve, but we didn’t let that stop us from trying to learn as much as possible. We spent every session, including the races, trying new settings and adapting the bike to different conditions to help build our database to pull from in future events. The rainy PNW creates tricky riding conditions but also inspires great ingenuity, which I think the entire OCR/BMW crew did a great job at managing. Race 1 was soaking wet, in which we came from P20 to P8 with some hard-fought battles. Race 2 was going even better, starting dead last again and fighting my way up the field when I encountered a mechanical issue that took us out of the race. I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to show my true potential in race 2, but these things happen in racing sometimes. The BMW M 1000 RR Superbike is truly a pleasure to ride around The Ridge; I look forward to building on these lessons and carrying the developmental momentum into Laguna Seca in about 14 days.” 

Quad Lock Superbike Championship Standings

After four rounds of Quad Lock Superbike racing, Sean Dylan Kelly sits in 2^nd place, just five points behind the lead. Jayson Uribe is in 12^th, just four points outside of the top ten.

Next Race

MotoAmerica Superbikes return on July 10-12, 2026, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

About OrangeCat Racing

OrangeCat Racing is a professional motorcycle racing team based in Chicago, competing at the national level in MotoAmerica. OrangeCat Racing thrives on competition, on challenging itself, and on learning and growing together. The team’s dedicated to expanding the reach of motorcycle racing, sharing the experience of it, and creating an environment where riders can fully focus on their craft.

For 2026, OrangeCat Racing is competing for MotoAmerica’s Superbike class as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport official team. They’re also competing in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class aboard the electric Lightfighter motorcycle. For more information about OrangeCat Racing, visit www.orangecatracing.com.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 359 BMW retailers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available on-line at www.press.bmwna.com, www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bmwmotorradusa

X: https://x.com/bmwmotorradusa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bmwmotorradusa

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – June 1, 2026 . . . The third round of the MotoAmerica Quad Lock Superbike Championship was hosted at Road America, the 4.048-mile circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin - a very fast circuit where straight line speeds can exceed 190 mph.

After four podium finishes out of the last five races, including two 2^nd place trophies, Sean Dylan Kelly, OrangeCat Racing and the BMW M 1000 RR broke through and took their first victory of the 2026 Superbike season. OrangeCat Racing are no strangers to winning with BMW, having been crowned 2025 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champions, before moving up to the top Superbike class for 2026 and being named the first BMW Motorsport factory partner team in MotoAmerica history.

Sean Dylan Kelly (No. 40 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR) continued setting top times during Practive with a 2:10.251 in Free Practice 1, good enough for 2^nd position with his teammate Jayson Uribe (No. 36 OrangeCat Racing BMW M 1000 RR) posting a lap time of 2:13.306, placing him in 11^th. In Timed Practice, Kelly again set a time which was good enough for 2^nd place with Uribe equaling his Free Practice position of 11^th. Free Practice 2 finally saw Kelly post a top time of 2:09.984 with his teammate Uribe coming in at 11^th.

In Saturday’s red flagged Qualifying session, Sean Dylan Kelly’s fastest lap of 2:10.186 was good enough to get him onto the 2^nd row and the 4^th starting position. Jayson Uribe secured himself a 3^rd row start with the fastest lap of 2:11.684

Race 1

Fans who came to see an exciting race in person and those who tuned in online or on Samsung TV Plus were not disappointed. Right from the start, both OrangeCat riders, Kelly and Uribe, battled with their fellow competitors for every point. Uribe initially traded places between 2^nd and 3^rd until a crash from the lead group on Lap 6 led to a red flag race stop. At the restart, Kelly was now battling for the lead, with a 5-lap sprint race ahead of him. It truly was one of the most exciting final laps for the fans as the lead was swapped multiple times with Kelly finishing in P2, just 0.067 seconds behind P1. Jayson Uribe finished in 8^th, 9.1 seconds behind the lead.

Race 2

Right from the start, Sean Dylan Kelly put himself towards the front of the break away group of six riders and bided his time until lap 4, when he made a pass to take over the lead – which he never relinquished. It was a well-deserved victory for Kelly and for the entire OrangeCat Racing team. Jayson Uribe continued his very good results of picking up championship points in five of the last six races. With a P8 finish in Race 2, Uribe puts himself in the center of a very tight race for championship points, with five riders within four points of each other.

Sean Dylan Kelly (rider No. 40 OrangeCat BMW M 1000 RR):

“It felt so good to get our first win of the season! The feeling on my BMW has been getting better and better and this was a very strong weekend. Race 1 was a really tough battle until the last lap, but we felt short of winning. Race 2 was smooth, I felt like I rode a really good race with no mistakes and was able to lead most of the laps until the flag. I’m leading the championship now, which is amazing, but there’s still a lot of racing left. We need to keep focused on our work and keep this momentum. Thank you, OrangeCat Racing and BMW, for making this possible! “

Jayson Uribe (rider No. 36 OrangeCat BMW M 1000 RR): 

“A difficult but productive weekend here at Road America for my side of the garage. We had mechanical issues in both sessions on Friday, spent Saturday playing catch up. We qualified decently and I found myself fighting for the top 6 in both races! I finished P8 both times, just missing out on some easily fixable traction and electronic developments that I know we will get dialed in for the next race weekend. Huge thanks to the whole OCR crew and BMW for the incredible machine! We will get there. Just need to work on the little things.”

Quad Lock Superbike Championship Standings

After three events, Sean Dylan Kelly leads the championship by one point and Jayson Uribe is in 12^th place, just four points behind the 8^th spot.

Next Race

MotoAmerica Superbikes return on June 26-28 at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington state.

About OrangeCat Racing

OrangeCat Racing is a professional motorcycle racing team based in Chicago, competing at the national level in MotoAmerica. OrangeCat Racing thrives on competition, on challenging itself, and on learning and growing together. The team’s dedicated to expanding the reach of motorcycle racing, sharing the experience of it, and creating an environment where riders can fully focus on their craft.

For 2026, OrangeCat Racing is competing for MotoAmerica’s Superbike class as a BMW Motorrad Motorsport official team. They’re also competing in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan class aboard the electric Lightfighter motorcycle. For more information about OrangeCat Racing, visit www.orangecatracing.com.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW Group began operations in the U.S. over 50 years ago. In addition to the sales, marketing, and distribution of BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad vehicles, BMW Group’s business in the U.S. spans 30 locations in 12 states including BMW Group Financial Services, BMW Manufacturing, Designworks, BMW Technology Office USA, and BMW i Ventures. The company’s U.S. plant in South Carolina is the largest single BMW production facility in the world and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented by a nationwide network of 355 BMW retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 37 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. Taken together, BMW Group’s business activities in the U.S. provide and support over 120,000 jobs and contribute more than $43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available on-line at www.press.bmwna.com, www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bmwmotorradusa

X: https://x.com/bmwmotorradusa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bmwmotorradusa

• MINI’s two-car factory-backed team heads to Salem, Missouri for the “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, round two of eight in the 2026 ARA season.
• Next event follows February’s strong podium finish at Sno*Drift Rally.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ –   March 12, 2026 – MINI USA and the John Cooper Works Race team are preparing for the next competition in the 2026 American Rally Association (ARA) National Championship. The 2026 “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood” will take place on March 13–14, in Salem and Potosi, Missouri, as a premier event in the ARA National Championship Series. Known for its high-speed gravel roads and the famous Cattle Guard Jump, this 30th running of the event will feature thirteen stages over 128 competitive miles.

MINI USA and the John Cooper Works Race Team started the season strong, previously securing a class podium finish at the Sno*Drift Rally February 6-7 in Atlanta, Michigan, the American Rally Association’s (ARA) 2026 season opener and MINI’s debut in ARA National competition.

MINI USA and long-standing partner LAP Motorsports are campaigning two rally-prepped vehicles: a MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 in the Limited 4 Wheel Drive class (L4WD), and an iconic MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door in the Open 2-Wheel Drive class (O2WD).

The brand’s U.S. competition in ARA rally marks a new and expanded direction of MINI's motorsports presence in North America, building on successful regional rally appearances in 2025, and reconnecting the brand with its legendary rally roots.

"We’re excited to hit the rally stages once again this weekend at the ‘Rally in the 100 Acre Wood’ following our strong showing at the Sno* Drift Rally last month.” said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsport. “Both the John Cooper Works 2-Door and the John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 demonstrated their performance in the icy conditions at the first rally of the ARA season, and we look forward to continuing the momentum for the next rally and the full season ahead.”

New MINI Models Show Competitive Stripes

The two MINI vehicles competing in the 2026 ARA season include the John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 in the Limited 4 Wheel Drive class (L4WD) and the iconic MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door in the Open 2 Wheel Drive class (O2WD). With initial safety-oriented modifications and ARA classes allowing minimal modifications from factory components, MINI’s core performance capabilities shine through.

Underscoring MINI’s adventurist spirit, the new 2026 MINI Countryman is larger, offering new levels of versatility and all-road capabilities in the compact SUV category. The MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door represents MINI’s iconic appearance, size, and performance, with a short wheelbase and “go-kart” handling.

Dealer Technicians Join the Pit Crew  

Adding a unique aspect to the program, the LAP Motorsports team will be supported by highly skilled technicians from the MINI dealer network who will be given the exciting opportunity to serve as pit crew at select races throughout the season.

To recognize top performing technicians from within the dealer network, four (4) MINI Dealer Technicians will be given the opportunity to join the excitement and crew for each race alongside the LAP crew. This hands-on involvement brings MINI's retail network directly into the competition, reinforcing the brand's commitment to performance and the enthusiastic community that supports it. 

A Heritage Rooted in Rally Success  

MINI has a storied rally history defined by the iconic Mini Cooper S dominating the 1960s with its agile handling and surprising wins over more powerful cars. Key successes include victories in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967, and dominance in the 2010s with the MINI ALL4 Racing in the Dakar Rally.

The classic Mini, originally designed to be both a space-efficient and fuel-efficient city car by Alec Issigonis, was transformed into a rally powerhouse by John Cooper. Its small size, front-wheel drive, and "go-kart" handling allowed it to outperform much more powerful V8 rivals on tight, icy mountain passes. 

MINI and LAP Motorsports

MINI USA has had a long-standing relationship with LAP Motorsports, founded and operated by Luis Perocarpi. Since 2015, LAP Motorsports and MINI USA have collaborated with the MINI John Cooper Works Race Team competing in IMSA ST and more recently in SRO and TC Americas class of the World Challenge series.

With a winning legacy behind the wheel of MINIs on the track, LAP Motorsports and MINI USA have set sights on new racing opportunities with rally, which offers the thrill of competition to new audiences, while remaining authentic to MINI’s motorsport heritage.

The 2026 A RA Season

The 2026 ARA season includes a full competitive calendar of events from February through October 2026.

This high-performance racing event is comprised of two- and four-wheel drive, road-legal cars racing closed sections of public roads in and around the Mark Twain National Forest southwest of St. Louis in a time-based competition. The event has attracted nearly 70 competition cars this year from across the United States and Canada. 

The American Rally Association (ARA) is the largest rally organization in the United States and promotes the country's only cohesive, nationwide competition for the sport of stage rally. Following the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, March 12-14, the 2026 ARA National Championship season continues with the following events:

• Kubota Olympus Rally April 17-19, 2026, Shelton, Washington
• Southern Ohio Forest Rally June 11-13, 2026, Chillicothe, Ohio
• Rally Colorado July 18-19, 2026, Rangely, Colorado
• Ojibwe Forests Rally August 27-29, 2026, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
• Overmountain Rally Tennessee September 18-19, 2026, Newport, Tennessee
• Lake Superior Performance Rally October 9-10, 2026, Marquette, Michigan

To learn more about the ARA and its partners, go to www.AmericanRallyAssociation.org, and follow live, up-to-the-minute race updates at https://www.americanrallyassociation.org/live.

About MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 105 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.
Journalist note:  Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en.

#  #  #

Woodcliff Lake, NJ –   February   11, 2026 – MINI USA and the John Cooper Works Race Team secured a podium finish this past weekend February 6-7 at the Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta, Michigan, the American Rally Association’s (ARA) 2026 season opener.

Competing on challenging icy and snow-covered stages, the MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door driven by Cristian Perocarpi and Carlos Schrunder in the Open 2 Wheel Drive class (O2WD) placed second in-class and 10^th overall in the National Championship. In the Limited 4 Wheel Drive class (L4WD) driving the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4, the team of Luis Perocarpi and Mark Wells secured fourth in-class and 14^th overall in the National Championship.

"We’re excited to be racing with MINI once again - this time making history with the brand’s US debut in rally.” said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsport. “Both the John Cooper Works 2-Door and the John Cooper Works Countryman ALL were sure-footed on the snow-covered and icy stages, and we’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going for the next rally event in March.”

MINI USA campaigning with the John Cooper Works Race Team in ARA Rally marks a new and expanded direction of MINI's motorsports presence in North America, building on regional rally appearances in 2025, and reconnecting the brand with its legendary rally roots.

New MINI Models Show Competitive Stripes

The two MINI vehicles competing in the 2026 ARA season include the John Cooper Works Countryman ALL4 in the Limited 4 Wheel Drive class (L4WD) and the iconic MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door in the Open 2 Wheel Drive class (O2WD). With initial safety-oriented modifications and ARA classes allowing minimal modifications from factory components, MINI’s core performance capabilities shine through.

Underscoring MINI’s adventurist spirit, the new 2026 MINI Countryman is larger, offering new levels of versatility and all-road capabilities in the compact SUV category. The MINI John Cooper Works 2-Door represents MINI’s iconic appearance, size, and performance, with a short wheelbase and “go-kart” handling.

Dealer Technicians Join the Pit Crew  

Adding a unique aspect to the program, the LAP Motorsports team will be supported by highly skilled technicians from the MINI dealer network who will be given the exciting opportunity to serve as pit crew at select races throughout the season.

To recognize top performing Technicians from within the dealer network, four (4) MINI Dealer Technicians will be given the opportunity to join the excitement and crew for each race alongside the LAP crew. This hands-on involvement brings MINI's retail network directly into the competition, reinforcing the brand's commitment to performance and the enthusiastic community that supports it. 

A Heritage Rooted in Rally Success  

MINI has a storied rally history defined by the iconic Mini Cooper S dominating the 1960s with its agile handling and surprising wins over more powerful cars. Key successes include victories in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965, and 1967, and dominance in the 2010s with the MINI ALL4 Racing in the Dakar Rally.

The classic Mini, originally designed to be both a space-efficient and fuel-efficient city car by Alec Issigonis, was transformed into a rally powerhouse by John Cooper. Its small size, front-wheel drive, and "go-kart" handling allowed it to outperform much more powerful V8 rivals on tight, icy mountain passes. 

MINI and LAP Motorsports

MINI USA has had a long-standing relationship with LAP Motorsports, founded and operated by Luis Perocarpi. Since 2015, LAP Motorsports and MINI USA have collaborated with the MINI John Cooper Works Race Team competing in IMSA ST and more recently in SRO and TC Americas class of the World Challenge series.

With a winning legacy behind the wheel of MINIs on the track, LAP Motorsports and MINI USA have set sights on new racing opportunities with rally, which offers the thrill of competition to new audiences, while remaining authentic to MINI’s motorsport heritage.

The 2026 A RA Season

The 2026 ARA season includes a full competitive calendar of events from February through October 2026.

This high-performance racing event is comprised of two- and four-wheel drive, road-legal cars racing on snow and ice-covered sections of closed forest roads in a time-based competition. The event attracts upwards of fifty competition cars each year from across the United States and Canada. 

The American Rally Association (ARA) is the largest rally organization in the United States and promotes the country's only cohesive, nationwide competition for the sport of stage rally: In addition to the recent Sno*Drift Rally, the 2026 ARA National Championship season includes the following events:

• Rally in the 100 Acre Wood March 13-14, 2026, Salem/Potosi, Missouri
• Olympus Rally April 17-19, 2026, Shelton, Washington
• Southern Ohio Forest Rally June 11-13, 2026, Chillicothe, Ohio
• Rally Colorado July 18-19, 2026, Rangely, Colorado
• Ojibwe Forests Rally August 27-29, 2026, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
• Overmountain Rally Tennessee September 18-19, 2026, Newport, Tennessee
• Lake Superior Performance Rally October 9-10, 2026, Marquette, Michigan

To learn more about the ARA and its partners, go to www.AmericanRallyAssociation.org

About MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.
Journalist note:  Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en.

#  #  #

Munich. A large global racing family is ready for the 2026 season: BMW Motorrad Motorsport enters the new year with a comprehensive programme, strong teams, and top riders. The factory teams are the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). In customer racing, numerous teams will again compete worldwide in various championships in 2026, including three BMW Motorrad Motorsport Official Teams: Orange Cat Racing from the USA, 8TEN Racing from the UK, and AutoRace Ube Racing from Japan.

Factory Racing: WorldSBK and FIM EWC.

After winning two world championship titles, BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, led by Team Principal Shaun Muir, are opening a new chapter in 2026. Two experienced and successful riders form the new lineup. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), 35, has proved in recent years that he is among the top competitors in the WorldSBK paddock. As a rider for a private team, he has secured victories and podiums, holding third in the standings before missing races due to injury in the final stages. Petrucci will race the #9 BMW M 1000 RR. Miguel Oliveira (POR), 31, competed in MotoGP from 2019, achieving multiple Grand Prix wins and podiums. Oliveira will make his WorldSBK debut on the BMW M 1000 RR with bike number 88. The WorldSBK season begins on 21st/22nd February at Phillip Island (AUS).

In the FIM EWC, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, led by Team Manager Werner Daemen, came very close to the world championship last season. Less than 30 minutes separated the team from the title at the season finale, the Bol d’Or in France. A technical failure ultimately pushed them back to third place in the championship, earning them the title of “World Champions of Hearts.” The lineup of the #37 BMW M 1000 RR changes only in one spot for 2026: Michael van der Mark (NED) joins the team. He was a BMW Motorrad factory rider in WorldSBK from 2021 and now moves to the FIM EWC. Van der Mark already raced with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team at Suzuka (JPN) in 2025. Also continuing are BMW veteran Markus Reiterberger (GER), part of the project since its 2019/20 debut, Steven Odendaal (RSA), and Hannes Soomer (EST) as the fourth rider. The riders’ programmes also include additional activities: Van der Mark is a test rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team, Reiterberger and Soomer will compete in the new EuroMoto (formerly IDM Superbike), and Odendaal will defend his title in the Spanish Superbike Championship.

Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) will also continue to compete on a BMW M 1000 RR in the FIM EWC; together with Soomer and Naomichi Uramoto (JPN) he forms a strong trio for the AutoRace Ube Racing Team. The FIM EWC season begins with the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) on 18th/19th April.

Customer racing: Official Teams in focus markets.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport is also successful worldwide in customer racing. Numerous private teams have been winning races and championships around the globe for years. In focus markets, customer teams compete as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Official Teams, working closely with BMW Motorrad Motorsport in communication, marketing, and events.

Japan: AutoRace Ube Racing Team.
In Japan, this is the AutoRace Ube Racing Team, which has already made a mark in the Japanese Superbike Championship and FIM EWC. The team’s regular rider is Naomichi Uramoto (JPN). For FIM EWC events in 2026, AutoRace Ube Racing will receive prominent reinforcement. Guintoli, Superbike and Endurance World Champion as well as BMW Motorrad factory rider in FIM EWC and the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team, brings a wealth of skill and experience. Soomer also contributes his talent and experience on the #76 BMW M 1000 RR.

USA: Orange Cat Racing.
In North America’s MotoAmerica, Orange Cat Racing won the Superstock title last season. Now, the US team, as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Official Team in the focus market USA, moves up to the MotoAmerica Superbike class. The team’s two BMW M 1000 RRs will be ridden by Jayson Uribe and Sean Dylan Kelly (both USA).

UK: 8TEN Racing.
In international Road Racing, the 8TEN Racing Team from the UK focus market is the team to beat. The two riders are also the team owners and the top favorites at major events: Davey Todd and Peter Hickman (both GBR), both of whom have already achieved numerous victories, including at the Isle of Man TT and the Macau Grand Prix. As per last year, Todd and Hickman will compete not only in Road Racing but also in the British Superbike Championship (BSB).

Quotes.

Sven Blusch (Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport): “After the two world championship titles in 2024 and 2025, our full focus is now on continuing this momentum. On the WorldSBK side, we are perfectly positioned. With Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira, we have brought on board two experienced top riders, whom we’ve already had the chance to get to know a little over the winter. We head to Australia with a very good feeling. Although we had a lot of rain during testing and would have liked a few more laps, we are already looking forward to Phillip Island. In the FIM EWC, after last year’s dramatic season finale, we are even more determined to win the title. With the addition of Michael van der Mark to the team, alongside Steven Odendaal and Markus Reiterberger on bike #37, we are very well positioned for the mission of winning the championship. Over the winter, we prepared intensively, both operationally and technically. In customer racing, our goal for 2026 is to further internationalise. Among the further BMW supported teams in the FIM EWC is also the AutoRace Ube Racing Team, our Official Team from Japan, which has very strong riders in Sylvain Guintoli, Hannes Soomer, and Naomichi Uramoto. With the Orange Cat Racing Team, we have a new Official Team for the USA, which will field two bikes in the MotoAmerica Superbike class, featuring two young, talented riders: Sean Dylan Kelly and Jayson Uribe. Here, our goal as BMW is to defend the title. In the BSB and Road Racing, our Official Team from the UK, 8TEN Racing with Peter Hickman and Davey Todd, will compete. This is also an incredibly strong rider combination. We hope for good results in the BSB and keep our fingers crossed for the Isle of Man TT and other road races, where the two are among the absolute favorites. Overall, it is important for us to strengthen international motorsport in customer racing. With this lineup, we are heading into the 2026 season highly motivated – it embodies our ambition, our drive, and our determination to go full throttle from the very first race.”

Christian Gonschor (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport): “2026 will be an exciting year of motorsport for BMW Motorrad Motorsport, with clear goals and focus. The mix of new riders and technicians, along with our already strong race teams, partners, and sponsors, makes us eager for more. Everyone is looking forward to the season opener in all relevant classes. The limited dry-weather testing opportunities for our Superbike World Championship team only fuel the ambition of the riders and the team even more. When time is limited, passion and self-confidence help. Danilo and Miguel feel the unwavering commitment of everyone in the team and inspire with their determination, great personalities, and incredible experience. Representing BMW Motorrad Motorsport on the podium regularly with both riders is the clear goal for 2026. Standing still is falling behind, so the wheel will keep turning in both the test team and our Munich headquarters. The riders can look forward to continuous development. In the Endurance World Championship, the benchmark is clear: to finally bring the 2025 world title, narrowly missed at the end, back to Munich. A bike further optimised for the championship and tyres, together with the strengthened rider lineup including Michael van der Mark, offers outstanding opportunities for successful 24-hour races and excellent results in the eight-hour races at Spa and Suzuka. The desire to make history as the first European manufacturer in the EWC 2026 is the ultimate motivation for everyone in the team. We’re ready to go.”

Uwe Geyer (Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Customer Racing): “In customer racing, we are well-positioned this year, both for the Superbike class and for the Superstock programme worldwide. We have successfully adopted developments from WorldSBK, such as a new swingarm and improvements in electronics. Our Superstock package is up-to-date and competitive. The first teams are already receiving their new motorcycles. In addition, we have introduced Official Teams with whom we maintain closer collaboration in order to further drive internationalisation. These include, for example, the BSB, Japan, and MotoAmerica. The number of our top teams, for example in France, Spain, and Germany in the EuroMoto, has remained the same. Therefore, my personal goal is to further increase the number of overall wins through cooperation with our partner teams. That is the target for this year.”

Shaun Muir (Team Principal ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “We are really looking forward to the 2026 season. We have a new set of goals, a new set of targets with our two new riders Danilo and Miguel. It's really exciting to start the new chapter of the World Superbike programme with BMW Motorrad and our sponsors. I think the expectation is really high also, finishing as World Champions for the last two years, and we’re really determined to give the riders the best tools we possibly can to reach the podium as soon as possible. I think that when we get into Europe from round two, three onwards, we’ll really start to see the true potential of the rider/bike combinations so we’re looking forward to that. Most important is that we give Danilo and Miguel the full support and show how determined we are to continue the good work that we’ve done in the past. We believe that the BMW M 1000 RR is going to grow as a package in the coming months and the proof of that will be the performances that both the riders give us on track. So I’m looking forward to the season - we can take the fight to the competition.”

Werner Daemen (Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team): “We expect that we go in the same way that we ended 2025 – except of course the last 25 minutes, because the rest of 2025 was really good. I think we have a very good bike and very strong riders with Markus, Steven, now Michael van der Mark and Hannes as fourth rider. I think we have one goal which is for going for the championship. At the moment, all suits well. We are well prepared from the technical side and testing starts from February on. I expect that we’re running in front and, okay, you need some luck. I also think when we have the luck on our side, we can go again for the world title. This year, we also do the EuroMoto, the new IDM class, where Markus and Hannes can prepare themselves for the World Championship. Steven Odendaal will do the ESBK on the stock BMW – so I think we will be very well prepared for the season.”

Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I’m excited for sure. I don’t know really what to expect. I know it‘s going to be a difficult, competitive environment through the whole grid. So my goal is to be up to that challenge and be as ready as I can to fight for top positions and make my adaptation as fast as possible, especially to have fun and to make the team enjoy the races.”

Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I’m so happy and proud to join the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. It’s the team that has won the last championships and I’m so proud to be part of it. I can’t wait to race with this bike. We did a few tests, and in rainy conditions the situation is really good. We need to spend some time more in the dry because we didn’t have so much time in such conditions yet. For sure there is a lot of expectation but mainly I want to enjoy. I don’t have any particular result in mind. I just want to be as fast as I can and improve the results of my previous season.”

Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team): “I am honestly looking forward to it. I had a nice experience with them last year at Suzuka and I really enjoyed working with Steven and Markus and we’re a nice team. It’s great to know the team already and I think it’s pretty clear that we have one goal and that’s to win the Endurance World Championship. They were so close last year but unfortunately it’s part of endurance racing. I’m looking forward to trying and helping them to get a world title. I will also be in the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team. We’re doing a lot of testing work before getting the parts over to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and also to the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team. It’s a different kind of job, but also really enjoyable. Sometimes it’s a lot of work, and I am really enjoying it as well. It’s great to stay with the BMW Motorsport family and I might be busy during the year.”

Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team): “I’m really looking forward to the season with BMW and the familiar, well-known environment from the past years. Our goal is clear: we want to win the world championship. Last year we were very, very close. We were missing 25 minutes to the title. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite make it in the end, but that automatically makes it our task to go and get it now and I believe the chances are good. We’ve improved a little more in many areas. I think it’s realistic that we can achieve it, but we all have to give our best, work well and stay focused, and of course also have the necessary luck – or simply avoid bad luck. Because endurance racing is always a combination of everything. So the goals are clearly defined. In EuroMoto, we also want to bring the championship title back to BMW. I’ve already managed that four times, and I’m happy that I can go after it once again. Here, I first have to readjust a bit, because in recent years I’ve been active as a test rider at BMW mainly on the Superbike. I was familiar with the Stock bike in the past, and now I need to dial myself back in a little. However, we still have several tests coming up in preparation. The competition in EuroMoto is very strong, which makes me happy, because that’s exactly what German motorsport needs: strong riders, teams, and motorcycles. We’re well set up, and I’m hoping for a great season.”

Steven Odendaal (BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team): “I’m really excited for this 2026 season. I think from last year we can extract a lot of information about how to improve, not just on the bike but also myself personally. And I think that this year we can really bring it together for a strong and consistent performance to bring us the title at the end of the year. That’s the main objective and obviously also I would like to defend my Spanish Superbike title this year. I am looking forward to keeping my eye in with that and enjoying racing again.”

Tsune Igami (Team Manager AutoRace Ube Racing Team): “We are very happy to be the BMW Motorrad Motorsport Official Team in Japan. It is great that we are part of the BMW family, and we can’t wait to start the season.”

Sylvain Guintoli (AutoRace Ube Racing Team): “This is another super motivating challenge for me. Last year the performance from the AutoRace Ube team straight away with the BMW was incredible, not only in the All Japan Championship, where Naomichi managed to win two races, but also to be ultra-competitive in the Suzuka 8 Hours as well as at the Bol d’Or for their first 24 -hour race at very short notice. They did an amazing job last year, so for me to step in now feels like it makes a lot of sense and like extra motivation to try and bring some experience into the team, to try to make it sort of successful straight away and help with the adaptation. I’m mega excited.”

Naomichi Uramoto (AutoRace Ube Racing Team): “I’m very excited to race the full season of FIM EWC with a great team and great teammates as a part of the big BMW family. I’m really motivated for the season.”

Hannes Soomer (AutoRace Ube Racing Team): “For me it’s the next step in my endurance career to be a full time rider. It’s the first time in my life on a superbike. Like the two guys next to me, I’m also really excited. I rode the bike and joined the team for one test last year before Suzuka. I felt good in the team and on the bike from the first day. I’m really excited to see what we can do. I think we have a really nice set of three riders, everybody is ready to work, everybody is fast and I’m looking forward to Le Mans.”

Jeff Connors (Team Principal Orange Cat Racing): “We’re expecting to, as long as we learn after every single event, get better after every single event, and by the end of the season, being able to compete for podiums. I think that’s possible with BMW’s support to accelerate our learning curve with the superbike. We’re new to this, we know that, and it’s going to take us some time to get up there and compete for wins, but really preparing ourselves for 2027.”

Sean Dylan Kelly (Orange Cat Racing): “First of all, I’m extremely excited to be back on the BMW. It’s a bike that I already won a race on, in the Moto America Superbike class, and that means it’s quite clear for me that the goal is to win. I’m a professional racer and I work very hard to achieve wins every weekend and I think the championship is the hunt for me. It’s also realistic that it’s a new team stepping up into Superbike, new people, new crew chief, a newer, more developed bike, so there’s a lot of things to learn but I think the package is there to be competitive and that’s all I’m focused on so I’m really excited to get started. I want to say thank you to the Orange Cat Racing team and also to BMW for making this happen.”

Jayson Uribe (Orange Cat Racing): “For me, this upcoming year on the BMW M 1000 RR is to win the championship. Whether that’s with myself or with Sean, our goal is to make sure that Orange Cat Racing and BMW come together with the win. I would like to continue to progress and learn as a rider. I think jumping on the superbike is a big step and I’m excited to continue to get better and better with every lap. I have big expectations. I want to win races, but I also want to make sure I provide the best results for the team. I understand that sometimes that means seeing the bigger picture, and that’s what we're here to do.”

Darren Jones (Team Manager 8TEN Racing): “With the winter behind us and more support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport themselves I’m looking forward to the season. Especially after last year with everything being put together so late. It was always going to be a struggle and we were always on the back foot, but now I think with the support we’ve got and the sponsors that are helping us out even more than before, I’m pretty confident we can put on a good show for everyone.”

Davey Todd (8TEN Racing): “I’m really looking forward to 2026. It’s going to be another fun year with our 8TEN Racing team. We’ve been working on everything and had a little bit more time this year to prepare, which is what we’re doing right now. Spending some time preparing is exactly what we didn’t have at the beginning of 2025 and we still finished with some very good results at the end of the year. So we know we can come into 2026 and improve in all areas, particularly on circuits, particularly at BSB. We think we can make some steps there and then go into the roads, the North West, the TT, the Southern 100 for myself and the Macau Grand Prix. I’m really looking forward to all the road races as always. I want to win more races like we did last year. Becoming king of the roads again for the third time for me in 2025: I want to keep that going. Most importantly, taking TT wins, which I know for sure my teammate’s going to be amongst the toughest competition there. We’re really looking forward to it. Like we did at Macau last year, we’re hoping for a lot of one-twos this season.”

Peter Hickman (8TEN Racing): “We’re actually really looking forward to the 2026 season. Obviously last year was almost a rushed year for us one way or another and of course I had a big injury as well. So for 2026 we are much, much more prepared as a team. Both me and Davey as well have got much more of a handle on what‘s actually going on and the team’s working really, really well. We’re happy with the bikes, we’re happy with everything for the season. We have a full British Superbike season to look forward to, as well as the North West 200, the Isle of Man TT, and maybe even one or two other races as well. Obviously we did Macau in the last year where we finished one and two. Overall, last year was more of a building year, as it ended up having to be, and then this year we can really kind of hit the ground running, much, much more prepared and really looking forward to it.”

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 9, 2025 . . . BMW Motorrad Motorsport and BMW Motorrad USA are proud to announce that OrangeCat Racing becomes an official BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT Team for the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike racing season.

The 2026 rider lineup includes 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Sean Dylan Kelly and returning rider Jayson Uribe.

The newcomer to the team, Kelly, has had a prolific motorcycle roadracing career. In addition to his 2021 title, he finished runner-up in the Supersport Class in 2020, raced in FIM Moto2 for two seasons and recorded his first MotoAmerica Superbike win aboard a BMW in 2024.

Uribe returns to OrangeCat Racing after an eight-podium season last year, finishing third in the 2025 Stock 1000 standings. After racing overseas for several years, Uribe joined OrangeCat Racing in 2024, where he finished runner-up in the Stock 1000.

“This partnership brings together two organizations united by a passion for performance and racing excellence. The entire OrangeCat team, from the riders to the engineers and mechanics, has been absolutely first class ambassadors for our brand and for the greater motorcycle community. We are excited about our future as we continue showcasing the winning capabilities of the BMW M 1000 RR in North America’s premier Superbike championship.” said Kevin Philips, Head of BMW Motorrad, Americas.

Chicago-based OrangeCat Racing and BMW Motorrad began competing with the BMW M 1000 RR in MotoAmerica’s Stock 1000 class in 2023 and achieved immediate success. In three seasons, OrangeCat Racing brought home 10 wins and 33 podiums, including a 2nd place finish with Kaleb DeKeyrel in 2023, 2nd place with Jayson Uribe in 2024, and both a 3rd place finish with Jayson Uribe and a championship with Andrew Lee in 2025.

After three very successful years in Stock 1000, OrangeCat Racing will compete in MotoAmerica’s top Superbike class with full factory backing and support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

“BMW has been key to our success over the years, and we’re excited about what we can achieve with support from their team,” said Jeff Connors, Team Principal for OrangeCat Racing. “The passion and work ethic BMW Motorrad Motorsport brings to the table day-in and day-out are infectious. We feel more than up to the challenge of Superbike with BMW’s partnership.”

“I’m super proud of our whole team for continuing to embrace any challenge thrown our way, and BMW has been an outstanding partner for all of us,” said Andrew Sieja, Founding Principal of OrangeCat Racing. “We have a lot in common: from love of the sport, to a sense of adventure and trying new things, to striving for our best in anything we take on.”

BMW M 1000 RR dominates global motorcycle racing in 2025.

The BMW M 1000 RR has been a global tour de force in 2025, capturing ten out of twenty national and world championships, including 164 race wins and an additional 225 podium finishes. In the U.S. BMW M-RR teams and riders captured both the MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike class Championships.

On the world stage, Turkish phenom Toprak Razgatlioglu, captured his second consecutive World Superbike Championship onboard his ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team M 1000 RR, winning twenty-one races in 2025.

Kenny Foray and the Tecmas BMW Motorrad France BMW M 1000 RR captured the French Superbike Championship, delivering fourteen podium finishes, twelve wins and eight pole positions.

At the 2025 Isle of Man TT, BMW M 1000 RR riders won the Superbike TT race while adding five additional podium finishes in three classes.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles and motorcycles in the U.S. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 351 BMW retailers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers,105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available on-line at www.press.bmwna.com, www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/bmwmotorradusa

X: https://x.com/bmwmotorradusa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/bmwmotorradusa

Since its founding in 1972, BMW Motorsport has supplied a bevy of race-ready cars to customers worldwide, but few of those cars were suitable for racing in North America. On this continent, sanctioning bodies tend to impose their own, often idiosyncratic rules, which excluded nearly all of BMW Motorsport’s customer-racing touring and GT cars.

While BMW of North America’s factory team was adapting Euro-spec racing cars to IMSA specification, private customers who wanted to race BMWs had to convert street cars into race cars. BMW Motorsport didn’t want to sell cars like the endurance-racing Z4 M Coupe or E92 M3 GT4 in markets without an official structure for parts and technical support. Since BMW NA had no such structure, US racers would be forced purchase roadgoing 3 Series, strip out the interiors and fit their own roll cages, suspension, brakes, and other race equipment.

In late 2013, longtime BMW racer Will Turner found a way around that prohibition. Turner bought a pair of used Z4 GT3s from Belgium’s Marc VDS racing team, which had raced them in the Blancpain championship as well as Germany’s VLN endurance series. Turner Motorsport had already won six professional championships with BMWs converted from street cars, and Turner was keen to move on to a real Motorsport-built race car. At the same time, BMW NA felt that supporting only two Tuner customer race cars would be a manageable task while customer racing support systems where developed. The Z4 GT3 needed only minor alterations to conform to the rules for IMSA’s new-for-2014 GTD class, and it proved competitive enough to win that year’s championship with drivers Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala.

“After proving how serious he was by buying the Z4, Will was able to purchase an M6 GT3 directly from Motorsport,” said Gordon McDonnell, then BMW of North America’s Motorsport Manager.

In fact, Turner was allotted the first and second M6 GT3s built, which he purchased for approximately €379,000 each in 2016. For the price, Turner got a pair of 2,860-pound, purpose-built race cars with carbon fiber bodywork and crash structures, 535-horsepower 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo P63 V8 engines, Ricardo transaxles, and other racing-specific equipment. Competing as before in IMSA’s GTD class, Turner Motorsport scored the M6 GT3’s first win worldwide, cementing the team’s status as a valued BMW Motorsport customer…and the US as a potential market for BMW Motorsport’s race cars.

“Will buying the Z4 really accelerated things for customer racing in the US,” McDonnell said.

That applied not only to GT3-spec race cars but to the entry-level M235i Racing, which Turner was among the first to purchase in the US.

Introduced in Europe for the 2014 season, the M235i Racing was the brainchild of Klaus Frölich, an engineer who became BMW AG’s Board Member for Development in December 2014. Attending the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in May 2013, Fröhlich noticed many teams racing E36 and E46 BMWs, cars that were a decade or more out of date. He resolved to make a new, entry-level race car available, and the development of the M235i Racing proceeded under BMW M GmbH chairman Friedrich Nitschke. The car was designed to be a turnkey race car, one whose price was set at a very reasonable €59,500, fully equipped. “The car has been more successful than we expected, with huge demand,” Nitschke said that spring. Indeed, the M235i Racing soon made up a significant portion of the field in Germany’s VLN endurance series, which consisted of ten rounds on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The M235i Racing was built on the standard 2 Series production line at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany, and thus there were no constraints on how many could be built. “We said from the beginning that we wanted to have the car available in the US,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt in 2015. “It’s really just a question of which series it fits in, and of having everything sorted out so the cars can come over.”

In January 2015, Fröhlich was on hand as the M235i and the M235i Racing made their debuts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. By then, McDonnell had moved to another position within BMW NA, and his post as Motorsport Manager was taken up by Victor Leleu.

Leleu arrived just as racing in the US was reaching a crossroads. “The teams that were racing BMWs in the Continental Challenge series had purchased E90 3 Series and prepared them for track duty, but that was becoming increasingly difficult once the F80 M4 arrived,” Leleu said. “Between the electronics, the turbocharged engines, and the cost, teams were getting discouraged. Somewhat serendipitously, BMW Motorsport came up with the M235i Racing at the same time that the Pirelli World Challenge series was looking to change things up for their entry-level format.”

Crucially, Leleu said, the M235i Racing and Pirelli World Challenge drew interest not just from Will Turner but from Eric Maas of Classic BMW dealership in Plano, Texas [now Sewell BMW]. Classic BMW was already established as a BMW Motorsport Center, as were enthusiast-run dealerships like Brecht BMW in Escondido, ex-BMW factory racer Boris Said’s BMW Murietta, Henry Schmitt’s BMW of San Francisco, and Bobby Rahal BMW of South Hills, Pennsylvania. All had longstanding ties to the BMW racing community, with Rahal’s Team RLL running BMW NA’s factory racing program in IMSA. In all, ten dealerships stepped up to support the M235i Racing program. The car was priced at €59,500, then equivalent to $65,854, making it an affordable alternative to a converted streetcar.

“Now we just needed to find a way to bring those cars over and sell them!” Leleu said. “We had 50 cars on the way, and we needed to secure a motorsport exemption for a car with no aero, and which looked like a 2 Series with a body kit. I was at Sebring when I got a call from the EPA saying, ‘I’m looking at your car, and this is no race car!’”

Leleu managed to persuade the US Environmental Protection Agency that the M235i Racing was indeed a race car. He also managed to get it approved for competition in the 2016 season of the Pirelli World Challenge series, where the M235i Racing would race against the Mazda Miata, Honda Accord V6 Coupe, Nissan 370Z, and Porsche Cayman. “We had to make a change to the exhaust, we added a rear wing, a net in the driver’s side window, a skid plate on the front, boost pressure sensors for Balance of Performance, a different fire extinguishing system… little things that were needed to align with the rest of the cars in the new TC class,” Leleu said.

The season started with just two M235i Racings on the grid, both entered by Classic BMW. By the end of the year, Classic had been joined by Summit of Everest Motorsport and Stephen Cameron Racing, but the season belonged to Classic Racing’s Toby Grahovec. Grahovec won the championship on the strength of two wins in 12 races, and he finished off the podium just twice, when he took a pair of fourths at Lime Rock. The season also belonged to the M235i Racing, which had created what Leleu called a paradigm shift within the TC paddock.

“I remember the curiosity of teams that were running products they had developed themselves, and they were wrenching on their cars with ten minutes to go before qualifying, changing gearboxes and stuff,” Leleu said. “And Classic BMW rolls up, takes the car off the truck and goes racing. Based on Classic BMW’s success and the car’s reliability, the demand came quite quickly, and that’s how we ended up in 2017 with ten teams racing the M235i Racing, and 21 cars on the grid at Utah.”

The race at Utah Motorsports Park [now Burt Brothers Motorpark] marked a numerical milestone for the M235i Racing, and it also revealed one of the prime difficulties faced by American teams racing a car designed for European conditions: heat. “Utah in the month of August is not fun. It’s really a different scenario to run a car at 52°F on the Nürburgring versus 95°F at high altitude in Utah,” Leleu said.

With twin turbochargers, the M235i Racing could cope with the lack of oxygen at high altitude better than the naturally aspirated competition. Even so, Utah’s extreme conditions forced BMW Motorsport Support Engineer Dusty Renteria [now Team Manager at Paul Miller Racing] to reprogram each car to deliver about 260 horsepower rather than its usual 300-320 horsepower, helping the BMW teams avoid accusations of cheating.

That kind of support—along with a steady supply of spare parts—was crucial to the success of BMW NA’s customer racing program, Leleu said. “It couldn’t be ‘sell-and-abandon’. I always believed—and still do—that the relationship with the customer starts once you sell them the car.”

Also crucial were a few adaptations that made the M235i Racing better suited to American conditions. The US is home to a number of tracks that combine NASCAR’s banked ovals with an infield road course, and the steep banking forced BMW Motorsport had to revise its inclination sensors when those devices misinterpreted banked corners as a rollover-in-progress. BMW Motorsport also had to fit the M235i Racing with a higher-output power steering system that could cope with rapid direction changes like those in the “climbing esses” at Virginia International Raceway.

So began the internationalization of BMW’s customer racing program, which had hitherto focused on Europe. “It made the case that when Munich develops a car, they now need to pay attention to the plethora of conditions and circumstances around the world,” Leleu said. “The Nürburgring and Miramas [BMW’s test track in southern France] won’t provide a comprehensive set of conditions that you can apply to any track and expect it will work.”

Most immediately, those lessons were applied to the F82 M4 GT4, which BMW Motorsport was developing for a worldwide launch in advance of the 2018 season. The car would provide additional opportunities for private teams in North America, where Turner Motorsport’s IMSA GTD program with the M6 GT3 had been joined in 2016 by Michael Mills’ SprintX GT campaign with a Z4 GT3. (BMW NA provided factory drivers Kuno Wittmer and John Edwards to race alongside Mills in this six-race endurance series; Mills Racing took three victories as well as the 2016 SprintX title.)

“The M235i Racing whetted everyone’s appetite, including Munich’s,” Leleu said. “That car and the M6 GT3 were built on the basis of European street versions. This meant that things like headlights and taillights, for instance were not DOT approved, so racers in America could not purchase these parts from BMW NA unless we went to BMW NA’s legal department for an exception. This was easy when you only had two Z4 GT3s racing in the US, but it was a different story when you had fifty M235i Racings across the country.”

Anticipating considerable US demand for its $196,000 M4 GT4, BMW Motorsport built the M4 GT4 on the basis of the US-spec car. Its headlights would be DOT-approved, and customers in Europe who needed replacements would have to buy US headlights. “Which they could,” Leleu said. “There was nothing preventing them from doing that.”

BMW Motorsport’s decision to offer the M4 GT4 in the US was supported by IMSA’s adoption of the SRO GT4 standard for cars racing in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, which ran in support of IMSA’s top-level WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. US racing teams embraced the opportunity to move up from the entry-level M235i Racing to the more powerful and sophisticated M4 GT4, with all but one team opting to move up the ladder for 2018.

The M4 GT4 wouldn’t be available in the same volume as the M235i Racing, since BMW NA wanted to ensure that the cars went to racers rather than collectors. As well, Leleu was reluctant to flood IMSA grids with BMWs or to sell more cars than BMW NA could support. “We are always trying to create meaningful relationships,” he said. “Our promise was always that when you get to the track, an engineer will, at the very least, come to you in the morning and come to you one more time in the evening. You will see us, and we’re here to support you, but we cannot do that for 50 GT4s.”

Running a high-quality but relatively affordable and egalitarian program encouraged teams to move up from the M4 GT4 to the higher-spec GT3 in 2022, when the M6 GT3 was replaced by the G82 M4 GT3. Lowering the cost of operation was one of the key design goals for the new M4 GT3. With power from a long life, inline six-cylinder engine, a proven reliable X-Trac transaxle and next generation electronics, the M4 GT3 allowed more teams to campaign BMWs in high-level racing series, and to do so on a more reasonable budget.

In 2022, Leleu became BMW of North America’s Experiential Marketing Manager. As such, he oversees the motorsport division now run by Adam McGregor. Customer racing continues to flourish in IMSA’s premier WeatherTech series alongside the factory M Hybrid V8 prototypes run by BMW M Team RLL, with Turner Motorsport and Paul Miller Racing running in the GTD and GTD Pro classes with their M4 GT3 EVO racers. Yet more teams compete with the M4 GT3 and GT4 in IMSA’s VP Racing Sportscar Challenge and Michelin Pilot Challenge, while those at racing’s entry level run the M2 CS Racing Cup—successor to the M235i and M240i Racing models—in SRO’s TC America series.

BMW of North America continues to support its racing customers with trackside technical and parts support at all IMSA and SRO sanctioned races plus turnkey competitive race cars and spare parts through sixteen BMW Motorsport Centers nationwide. Customer racing is a small but highly visible component of BMW NA’s marketing program, one that Leleu said is especially important now that BMW Team RLL is campaigning the M Hybrid V8 prototypes rather than production-based sports cars.

“Customer racing continues to validate the street product,” Leleu said. “It’s no longer a lab for the road and for proving technology, but having those M4 GT3s and GT4s with their inline six-cylinder engines in a sea of V8s allows us to deliver a very authentic BMW message through those customer race cars.”

• Team wins Bone Stock award and second place overall in X-Cross class for all-wheel-drive vehicles.
• BMW of North America Product Manager Rebecca Dalski helped bring the victory to life from the navigator seat.
• Driver, Rebecca Donaghe, secures her 3rd podium finish in three years with the brand.
• The challenging offroad conditions helped team gather real world insights for BMW’s X family of Sports Utility Vehicles.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 18, 2025… After eight grueling days across 1,700 miles of unforgiving desert terrain, the BMW X5 won the coveted Bone Stock Award at this year’s Rebelle Rally and took second place overall in the X-Cross category for all-wheel-drive vehicles. The team's exceptional performance demonstrates the true grit and versatility of BMW’s best-selling model, which was piloted with precision by veteran driver Rebecca Donaghe and expertly guided by BMW of North America Product Manager Rebecca Dalski.

BMW returned to the longest competitive off-road navigation rally in the U.S. this year with a vehicle nearly identical to what comes off its assembly line in Spartanburg, South Carolina. To win Bone Stock, competitors are permitted no modifications beyond aftermarket wheels and tires in the factory size, making it a true test of innate engineering capabilities.

Rebecca Dalski's entry into the competition as navigator came as a unique opportunity for real-world product testing and evaluation. Relying solely on compasses and paper maps, Dalski gained firsthand insights into the BMW X5's performance under extreme pressure. The vehicle’s all-wheel drive system and potent inline-six engine helped propel the team through diverse desert terrain and across the finish line with remarkable composure. Inside the vehicle, Dalski and Donaghe’s extensive preparations and teamwork allowed them to blaze through all checkpoints confidentially while outpacing their competitors.

For driver Rebecca Donaghe, this year's results represent her 3rd X-Cross podium with BMW in the last three years. In 2023, she piloted the BMW X2 to a 2nd place finish, and in 2024, steered the BMW X3 to a 3rd place finish. The Bone Stock win for 2025 brings another significant milestone of success for her and the brand. "I was so excited to return for my 3rd year with BMW with my 3rd different vehicle. The BMW X5 performed brilliantly throughout the entire event." said Donaghe, "To have the entirely stock vehicle not only survive the brutal terrain challenges but take the outright Bone Stock win is a true testament to BMW's engineering capabilities."

The rally's notorious "dunes day" pushed the BMW X5 to its limits, requiring careful planning and strategic driving to avoid getting bogged down in the soft sand. The team also had to overcome the mental fatigue and pressure of relying solely on maps and compasses to navigate over 1,700 miles, without the aid of GPS.

The following internal and external partners helped make this year’s Rebelle Rally win possible:

• BMW Credit Cards
• BMW Protection Products
• BMW Women in Motion
• BMW Performance Center
• BMW Car Club of America and BMW CCA X Chapter
• XPEL
• Falken
• Rotiform
• Morimoto
• Thule

# # #

BMW Group in the United States.

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled more than 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 351 BMW retailers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.comwww.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

# # #

• Veteran driver Rebecca Donaghe will pilot a BMW X5 with BMW of North America Product Manager Rebecca Dalski as navigator.
• Contested by an all-women field of drivers and navigators, the rigorous competition covers 1,700 miles of demanding desert terrain and prohibits GPS guidance, forcing teams to rely on paper maps and compasses.
• Challenging offroad competition helps gather real world insights for BMW’s X family of Sports Utility Vehicles.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 8, 2025… BMW is back for the nation’s longest competitive offroad challenge. Veteran driver Rebecca Donaghe will pilot a BMW X5 across 1,700 miles of demanding terrain alongside BMW Product Manager and first-time navigator Rebecca Dalski. Taking place October 8-18 across a vast stretch of California and Nevada desert, the challenge features a lineup of 68 female driver-navigator teams and forbids the usage of GPS guidance. Instead, competitors are forced to rely on analogue navigational techniques to hunt for checkpoints throughout the desert landscape.

Dalski, whose day job centers around shaping the future of the BMW product lineup for the American market will be helping test the limits of the BMW X5 while guiding her team’s journey from the navigator’s seat as they demonstrate how BMW’s best-selling model is also capable of conquering obstacles offroad.

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself”, said Dalski. “With an off-road package featuring xSand, xGravel, xSnow and xRock modes, the BMW X5 is well-equipped for this challenge. Add to that Rebecca Donaghe’s excellent driving skills, along with the analog navigational techniques I’ve been sharpening, and I’m sure that we’ll cross the finish line proudly in October. The Rebelle Rally was described to me as a game of chess played out in the world and I cannot wait to see what we’ll encounter.”

At the core of the BMW X5 xDrive40i is a 375-horsepower inline-six engine paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivering responsive driving experience without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Its powertrain is complemented by BMW’s signature xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which provides confident handling and stability in various driving conditions, from daily commuting to navigating life’s more adventurous scenarios. For the Rebelle Rally, the stock vehicle was only augmented by the additions of offroad tires, camping gear, and recovery equipment.

Since its original debut more than two decades ago, the BMW X5 has been instrumental in the steady growth of the BMW X family of vehicles and remains one of the brand’s most popular iconic nameplates, famous for its versatility. The BMW X5 is proudly assembled at the brand’s largest production site globally in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The following internal and external partners helped bring this year’s Rebelle Rally journey to life:

• BMW Credit
• BMW Protection Products
• BMW Women in Motion
• BMW Performance Center
• BMW Car Club of America and BMW CCA X Chapter
• XPEL
• Falken
• Rotiform
• Morimoto
• Thule

Follow BMW’s progress on the Rebelle Rally website at www.rebellerally.com for official updates and live coverage beginning Friday, October 10.

                                                # # #

BMW Group in the United States.

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled more than 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 351 BMW retailers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.comwww.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

# # #

• BMW’s global partnership exemplifies nearly two decades of support for one of golf’s most storied traditions.
• The all-new BMW iX3 continues its U.S. launch tour on display at the 14^th tee box following debuts in Munich and New York City earlier this month.
• Premium fan experience includes BMW shuttle service, interactive product displays, and exclusive giveaways plus Ryder Cup Live Fan Zone at Rockefeller Center.
• BMW Owners can stream live Ryder Cup action in-car via the DTS AutoStage App with NBC on Select BMW models with Operating System 8.5 or 9.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 26, 2025… BMW returns as Worldwide Partner for the ultimate faceoff in golf this week during the 45^th Ryder Cup at the Black Course of Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY. Contested September 26-28, the legendary biennial team competition pits twelve of America's top players against twelve of the best pros from Europe in a high stakes match play battle. Revered for its display of drama, camaraderie, and sportsmanship, the Ryder Cup delivers an electrifying fan experience that is unparalleled across the golf world. The excitement behind the ropes is just as strong as the energy on the course, making this year’s event the perfect platform to support one of the brand’s most important launches in history—the all-new BMW iX3, fresh off its World Premiere at the IAA Mobility in Munich earlier this month.

Wednesday’s opening ceremony set the stage for a thrilling Ryder Cup weekend, known for its passion and intensity. Across three days, 28 matches will be played—four Foursome and four Fourballs on Friday and Saturday, followed by twelve Singles on Sunday. Europe, led by Luke Donald, needs 14 points to retain the trophy. Keegan Bradley’s U.S. team needs 14.5 and will look to home course advantage to help break Europe’s hold.

For nearly twenty years, BMW’s partnership with the Ryder Cup has demonstrated its longstanding connection to golf at the highest level—a relationship defined by a shared commitment to precision, performance, and excellence. A fleet of more than 200 BMWs will provide premium shuttle service for players, guests, and event officials throughout the week. Fans of golf and the Ultimate Driving Machine will also get a firsthand look at BMW innovation and design through interactive brand displays across Bethpage Black including dueling BMW 7 Series models custom designed by American captain Keegan Bradley and European captain Luke Donald.

Additionally, on the heels of its North American debut in New York City earlier this week, the all-new, BMW iX3 will be highlighted on the 14^th tee. The first model of BMW’s groundbreaking next-generation Neue Klasse previews the future of BMW design, technology, and driving dynamics and ushers in an entirely new era for the Ultimate Driving Machine. The BMW iX3 will arrive in U.S. showrooms toward the middle of next year. In the two years following, BMW will launch 40 new or refreshed models featuring the attributes of the Neue Klasse.

BMW’s journey with the Ryder Cup began in 2006 when it was named Official Car Partner at the K Club in Ireland. The company has maintained a strong presence at each Ryder Cup ever since, both in Europe and the United States. With the American team defending their home turf against a formidable European lineup this year, all eyes will be on Bethpage Black and BMW will be there every step of the way. In between the action on the fairways and greens, guests will be encouraged to showcase their own skills by joining BMW for a unique driving range challenge near the main entrance. Winners will walk away with BMW ball markers, same-day hospitality upgrades, and even the Ultimate Stay & Play golf getaway to Sea Island Resort in Georgia if they’re able to hit the 150-yard target.

BMW Owners can catch all the Ryder Cup action live from their vehicles courtesy of NBC. This viewing experience is offered in models running BMW Operating System 8.5 in combination with Connected Drive Professional* (excluding the BMW 2 Series Coupé, BMW 3 Series, and BMW 4 Series) and in vehicles with BMW Operating System 9 paired with BMW Digital Premium. The Ryder Cup will also come to life off the course at the iconic Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, with an official Fan Zone area presented by BMW offering a VIP viewing and lounge area. 

Over the past 50 years, BMW has demonstrated a lasting commitment to the game of golf. In addition to the BMW’s support of the Ryder Cup, the company has been the title partner of The BMW Championship for nearly two decades. Since 2007, The BMW Championship has helped raise over $60 million on behalf of the Evans Scholars Foundation, and has provided the opportunity for

more than 4,000 young caddies to attend college. Together, these efforts leave a lasting impact on both the sport of golf and BMW enthusiasts alike.

# # #

BMW Group in the United States.

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled more than 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 351 BMW retailers, 143 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

# # #

• A dramatic comeback victory earns Scheffler his fifth PGA TOUR title of the year.
• Akshay Bhatia won a 100% electric BMW iX M70 and triggered BMW’s donation of the seventh BMW Championship Hole-in-One Scholarship as a result of the hole-in-one he hit during the third round of play on Saturday.
• All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. Since 2007, the event has raised over $60 million and provided full tuition and housing college scholarships for over 4,000 young students.

Owings Mills, MD – August 17, 2025… BMW congratulates Scottie Scheffler on winning the 2025 BMW Championship today at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland.

Following an exciting final round, Scheffler showcased impressive skill and composure to claim the prestigious BMW Championship title, finishing the week at 15-under par. The dramatic comeback is Scheffler’s fifth career PGA TOUR title win. Scheffler and the top 30 PGA TOUR players will advance to the season-ending TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA next week.

“It's been a nice stretch the last few years and I've done some really good things. It's nice to get the results from a lot of hard work,” said Scheffler. “[The win total is] not something I think about day-to-day. I try to approach everything week by week, and when you really boil down to it, just day by day.  This week was a good week. It was a battle all the way through. Fortunate to be sitting here.”

Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW of North America, was joined by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Western Golf Association Chairman Steve Colnitis, and Caves Valley Golf Club Chairman and President Steve Fader, for presentation of the BMW Championship and J.K. Wadley trophies on the 18^th green following play.

“Each year, The BMW Championship only gets better,” said Mackensen. “On Saturday, Akshay Bhatia won a 100% electric BMW iX M70 and triggered our donation of the seventh BMW Championship Hole-in-One Scholarship thanks to his hole-in-one on 17. And on Sunday, we watched the conclusion of an incredible battle between Robert MacIntyre and Scottie Scheffler. A big congratulations to Scottie on his victory, and thank you to all our partners, the players, fans, volunteers, and community members who make this event possible.”

All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full college scholarships to hardworking young caddies with strong academic records. Since 2007, BMW has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping to send over 4,000 young people to college.

Bhatia’s shot marks the seventh time BMW has awarded a Hole-in-One Scholarship, which is donated in the name of the first player to hit a hole-in-one on any hole during tournament play. The full, four-year tuition and housing scholarship worth $125,000 will be awarded to a new Evans Scholar in Bhatia’s name next Spring.

Earlier in the week, BMW Group Member of the Board of Management Ilka Horstmeier joined several dignitaries and officials to mark the opening of an all-new Evans Scholars House at the University of Maryland which will be home to up to 38 new students. The milestone achievement was made possible in part by the success of the 2021 BMW Championship, which was also played at Caves Valley, and exemplifies this event’s deep commitment to education and youth empowerment.

In 2026, The BMW Championship will head to Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, and then Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2027. For more information on The BMW Championship please visit: https://BMWChampionship.com/.

###

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. This fall, a record 1,260 caddies will be enrolled in 27 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 43,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,575 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

# # #

• The third-round hole-in-one came at 1:52 PM on Saturday, August 16 on BMW’s signature par-three 17^th hole.

• BMW has awarded seven hole-in-one Evans Scholarships since 2007.

• All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation and the event has raised over $60 million to date. 

Owings Mills, MD – August 16, 2025… Akshay Bhatia recorded a hole-in-one during the third round of the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD this afternoon, resulting in BMW’s donation of its seventh Hole-in-One Evans Scholarship. The full, four-year tuition and housing scholarship worth $125,000 will be awarded to a new Evans Scholar in Bhatia’s name next Spring. Bhatia will also take home the 100% electric BMW iX M70 for acing BMW’s signature 227-yard, par-3 17^th hole. BMW guests had a front-row seat for the action as they cheered from the BMW Owner’s Pavilion overlooking the 17^th green.

“It's the coolest thing. It warms my heart that a golf shot that I hit can help a kid get a full scholarship,” said Bhatia, who used a 5-iron to hit his first hole-in one on the PGA TOUR. “This event is amazing when the kids and the caddies get to come walk with us inside the ropes for two days. I just am very blessed and thankful for that opportunity that Evans Scholars provided this week.”

For his effort, Bhatia will receive the keys to a new BMW iX M70, the brand’s first-ever fully electric SUV. With over 600-hp and 811 lb.-ft of torque, Bhatia’s new ride packs as much power as this afternoon’s shot.

“Thanks to Akshay Bhatia’s hole-in-one, everyone wins,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “Not only will Akshay drive-off in a brand-new BMW iX M70, our exciting electric SUV, but another deserving young caddie will receive a full four-year Evans Scholarship in Bhatia’s name. We couldn’t be happier for him to have hit this hole-in-one on the 17th hole.”

All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full college scholarships to hardworking young caddies with strong academic records. Since 2007, BMW has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping over 4,000 young people achieve their educational dreams. Bhatia’s shot marks the seventh time BMW has awarded a Hole-in-One Scholarship. Past recipients include:

• Dianna Llamas (2022): Awarded in the name of Viktor Hovland, who aced the 2^nd hole in the third round of the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, DE.
• Brooklyn Gabriel (2017): Awarded in the name of Jason Day, who aced the 17th hole in the second round of the 2017 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
• Hayden Bauschka (2015): Awarded in the name of Jordan Spieth, who aced the 2nd hole, his 11th hole of the day, in the first round of the 2015 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
• Melyzjah Smith (2013): Awarded in the name of Hunter Mahan, who aced the par 3, 17th hole in the third round of the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
• Mark Abtahi (2012): Awarded in the name of Steve Stricker, who aced the par 3, 6th hole in the second round of the 2012 BMW Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN.
• Haelena Schwemmer (2010): Awarded in the name of Sean O’Hair, who aced the par 3, 2nd hole in the second round of the 2010 BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, IL.

“We’re thrilled to use this generous donation to fund a full Evans Scholarship to college and change the life of a deserving young student,” said Steve Colnitis, Chairman of the Western Golf Association, which oversees the Evans Scholars Foundation. “We’re very grateful to BMW as our title sponsor for their continued dedication and commitment to providing educational opportunities to young caddies.”

On Monday, August 11, BMW Group Member of the Board of Management Ilka Horstmeier joined several dignitaries and officials to mark the opening of an all-new Evans Scholars House at the University of Maryland which will be home to up to 38 new scholars on campus. The milestone achievement was made possible in part by the success of the 2021 BMW Championship, which was also played at Caves Valley, and exemplifies this event’s deep commitment to education and youth empowerment.

# # #

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. This fall, a record 1,260 caddies will be enrolled in 27 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 43,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,575 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

• The BMW Art Car Collection turns 50.
• 20^th BMW Art Car by Julie Mehretu makes North American debut alongside Andy Warhol’s iconic masterpiece.
• BMW Art Car No. 4, by Andy Warhol to be inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Register of Historic Vehicles in September. 
• BMW Art Car No. 20 by Julie Mehretu to be presented at The Bridge concours event in Bridgehampton, NY by the artist herself. 

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 14, 2025… Over the past 50 years, some of the world’s most important and highly regarded artists have turned twenty BMWs into the BMW Art Car collection. Several of these rolling masterpieces have also competed in top racing events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona. During the 74^th annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance^® in Monterey, CA this week, car enthusiasts, art buffs and motorsport fans alike are being treated to a rare display of two spectacular examples from BMW’s storied collection. For the first time ever, BMW Art Car No. 20 by New York based contemporary artist Julie Mehretu will be presented in North America. Mehretu’s work will be on display alongside one of the collection’s most be beloved examples — BMW Art Car No. 4 by legendary pop art icon Andy Warhol.

The BMW Art Car World Tour took flight this year in celebration of 50 years of the BMW Art Car collection. The display during Monterey Car Week marks the beginning of the U.S. leg of the BMW Art Car World Tour which celebrates the storied collection in its jubilee year around the globe from Vienna to Hong Kong and Shanghai, from Dubai to Marrakech and Milan.

After Monterey, the Mehretu Car will head to Bridgehampton, NY, accompanied by the artist herself for this year’s edition of The Bridge—an esteemed East Coast collector car event. Mehretu will be joined by BMW Group Head of Arts & Culture, Dr. Thomas Girst, who will host a special presentation for media and VIPs on September 13.

Meanwhile, the Warhol Car will visit Washington DC to be inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Register of Historic Vehicles. The car will be displayed on the National Mall during a week-long celebration presented by the Hagerty Drivers Foundation.  

The BMW Art Car Collection.

The BMW Art Car program was started in 1975 when French racing driver and art dealer Hervé Poulain, together with then BMW Head of Motorsport Jochen Neerpasch, asked his artist friend Alexander Calder to paint a car. The result was a completely reimagined BMW 3.0 CSL, which went on to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1975 and became a crowd favorite. In the years that followed, art icons like Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Esther Mahlangu, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, and Julie Mehretu have enriched the collection, each in their own individual style.

The BMW vehicles that have been turned into works of art using a wide variety of graphic and artistic techniques are as different as the artists themselves—from pure racing thoroughbreds to production vehicles and rare sports cars. The results are all vastly different. No two vehicles are alike. BMW Art Car collaborators are selected by an independent worldwide jury of gallerists and curators, and the artist always maintains complete creative freedom throughout the entire process.

BMW Art Car No. 4 by Andy Warhol (1979).

When Poulain received American pop artist Andy Warhol’s proposal for a racing 320i that BMW (with Poulain as one of the drivers) was to enter in the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans, they saw a problem. The jet-black paint and flowery mauve overlay Warhol had created covered the entire vehicle including the windows, making driving impossible. So, BMW Motorsport suggested that Warhol try something else, this time on a new prototype BMW Motorsport had been working on to go head-to-head against Porsche in Group 4 racing: the M1.

Warhol’s addition to the BMW Art Car collection came during a period when the artist was experimenting with abstraction and gestural painting. In a departure from the pop iconography that defined much of his earlier work, Warhol’s BMW Art Car embraced a more visceral, dynamic approach. Poulain himself described Warhol’s creative process as performative. Warhol applied over thirteen pounds of Sikkens polymer-based paint by hand in just 28 minutes. The resulting brushstrokes, drips, fingerprints, and scratches make the work feel deeply human and embody a uniquely personal expression. “I attempted to show speed as a visual image. When an automobile is really traveling fast, all the lines and colors are transformed into a blur,” he said in explanation of his work.

BMW Art Car No. 4 proved that a work of art can be not only beautiful, but also lightning fast around the racetrack. In 1979, German race driver Manfred Winkelhock, together with Poulain and Marcel Mignot, took the unique mid-engine BMW M1 Group 4 to second place in its class during the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

BMW Art Car No. 20 by Julie Mehretu (2024).

Space, movement, and energy have always been central motifs in Julie Mehretu's work. For the design of BMW Art Car No. 20, the Ethiopian born, New York based contemporary artist transformed a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional representation, with which she succeeded in bringing dynamism into form. Mehretu used the color and form vocabulary of her monumental painting “Everywhen” (2021-2023) as a starting point for her design. Its abstract visual form results from digitally altered photographs, which are superimposed in several layers of dot grids, neon-colored veils, and the black markings characteristic of Mehretu's work.

The fusion of image and vehicle was realized with the help of 3D mapping, with which the motif was transferred to the contours of the vehicle. The elaborate lightweight foiling allowed for the fully transformed BMW M Hybrid V8 to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024. Mehretu’s creation made its World Premiere at the Centre Pompidou in Paris on May 21, 2024, and was then presented by the artist at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como amongst six other BMW Art Cars that had also raced at Le Mans.

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BMW Group in the United States.

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

The Hagerty Drivers Foundation.

The Hagerty Drivers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and BMW North America announced that the 1979 BMW M1 Group 4, BMW Art Car No.4 by Andy Warhol is the 37th vehicle added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. The documentation of the vehicle will be permanently archived in the U.S. Library of Congress.

As part of the U.S. tour Warhol’s automotive masterpiece will travel to Washington D.C. to be displayed on the National Mall for the Hagerty Drivers Foundation’s annual Cars at the Capital Exhibition (September 17-23) honoring its National Register designation. The DC exhibition will be located just steps from the Smithsonian museums that hold countless pieces from the very artists that were featured in the BMW Art Car series and those that inspired them. This unique automotive and art exhibition will be available free for the public to see, allowing a rare up-close opportunity to experience this significant car.

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• The annual Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am tees off tomorrow featuring notable guests including the Jonas Brothers.
• Play begins on Thursday, August 14 with a ceremonial color guard presentation.
• The BMW Championship has raised more than $60 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007, supporting over 4,000 students in college. 

• First PGA TOUR player to record a hole-in-one on this year’s 17^th hole during tournament play will win a brand-new 100% electric BMW iX M70 performance SUV.

Owings Mills, MD – August 12, 2025… The BMW Championship returns to Caves Valley Golf Club in Owingsville, MD this week as the top 50 players on the PGA TOUR tee go head-to-head in the race for the FedExCup. The field set for this year’s FedExCup Playoff contest includes world number one player and current FedExCup leader, Scottie Scheffler and perennial contender Rory McIlroy as he chases Scheffler’s win total. Hosted by the Western Golf Association, the BMW Championship is the oldest non-major on the PGA TOUR schedule, dating back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open. Golf royalty including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have won the tournament throughout its rich history.

Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am.

The excitement at Caves Valley Golf Club kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, with the annual Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am. The event features many notable guests playing in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation, which awards full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving caddies with outstanding academic performance. The Evans Scholars Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year will feature pop superstars the Jonas Brothers, who will also perform an exclusive live concert for Pro-Am guests.

Evans Scholars Foundation.

As always, all proceeds from the 2025 BMW Championship fund full college tuition and housing scholarships for exemplary young men and women who caddy with the Western Golf Association. Since BMW began hosting the event nearly two decades ago, the event has raised more than $60 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation, supporting over 4,000 students with full tuition and housing. Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled in 27 leading universities as Evans Scholars. On Monday, BMW Group Member of the Board of Management Ilka Horstmeier joined a group of dignitaries and officials to mark the opening of an all-new Evans Scholars House on the University of Maryland campus which will home to up to 38 new scholars on campus. The milestone achievement was made possible in part by the success of the 2021 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club and exemplifies the event’s deep commitment to education and youth empowerment. 

Hole-In-One Scholarship.

BMW will once again contribute an additional full four-year Evans Scholarship in the name of the first PGA TOUR player to record a hole-in-one on any hole during tournament play this week. Diana Llamas was named the sixth BMW Hole-in-One Scholar three years ago after Viktor Hovland’s ace during the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware.

Hole-In-One Vehicle.

BMW will also continue its tradition of awarding a new car to the first PGA TOUR golfer to record a hole-in-one on a designated hole during a competition round. This year, the first player to ace the par-three 17^th hole will walk away with the keys to the all-new 100% electric BMW iX M70. The first electric performance SUV from BMW delivers a massive 811 lb.-ft of torque and features distinctive design elements like BMW M Multifunction Seats, optional 23-inch wheels, and an updated kidney grille design with signature BMW M horizontal bars to match its dynamic performance character. BMW Owners in attendance can witness the thrill of this tantalizing par-three challenge firsthand at the BMW Owners’ Pavilion hospitality venue overlooking the 17^th hole.  

Guest Experiences at Caves Valley Golf Club.

In addition to the competition, fans attending the BMW Championship will have access to a variety of interactive activities including:

• BMW Owners’ Pavilion.

A BMW vehicle key fob or Digital Key in the My BMW smartphone app will unlock exclusive hospitality benefits at the BMW Championship, beginning with premium parking options upon arrival to Caves Valley Golf Club. BMW Owners and a guest will also receive access to the BMW Owners’ Pavilion with unparalleled views of the featured par-three 17^th green and 18^th tee.  

• The BMW Fan Experience.

All guests are invited to join BMW for a variety of activities in between the action on the fairways and greens. Located by the main entrance, the BMW Fan Experience features a unique Skee-Ball style chipping challenge along with a display of custom BMW models designed by PGA TOUR pros. Ryder Cup-themed BMW vehicles will also be showcased in anticipation of the 2025 Ryder Cup, where BMW is a Worldwide Partner. Fans can also try their luck at winning exclusive prizes at the Ryder Cup Claw Machine. Guests can recharge in comfort at the Baltimore Biergarten area and practice their short game with the Baltimore-themed Long Putt Challenge surrounded by BMWs displayed in the colors of the Baltimore flag.

• MINI Zone.

The BMW Group is presenting the latest MINI products during the BMW Championship with the opportunity to win a one-month lease on an all-electric MINI. In addition to a MINI-exclusive sharable photo area, guests can get up close and personal with the MINI Countryman and MINI Cooper 2 Door Hatchback.

• Enhanced Digital Access.

Guests will be able to download the BMW Championship Ultimate Experience Pass to check-in at a variety of activities while visiting Caves Valley Golf Club. The new and improved system will allow for a more streamlined registration process and can be easily accessed by scanning the QR code on event signage.

For updates during the 2025 BMW Championship, follow the conversation at:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

To compete successfully at the top levels of motorsport, you need more than well-developed machinery. You also need well-developed drivers. When BMW re-entered Formula One in 2000, its need for young talent became acute. Having focused on production-based racing since ending its partnership with Brabham in 1986, BMW Motorsport had no real pipeline for drivers in open-wheel formulae. Although the company had been supplying engines to Germany’s highly-regarded Formula BMW ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) junior series since 1991, it needed a more comprehensive involvement to achieve its driver-development goals.

In 2001, BMW Motorsport moved to do exactly that. Taking over the ADAC series altogether, BMW would provide not just engines but complete cars. At the same time, BMW created a unique organizational structure designed to help young drivers—age 15 years or older, with no prior international racing experience other than karting—build professional careers through its education and coaching program located at two Formula BMW Racing Centers in Valencia, Spain, and Bahrain. The new Formula BMW series began running in 2002, with races in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Its first champion, Nico Rosberg, won the title as a rookie; he’d make it to Formula One in 2006, and he became F1 world champion ten years later. In 2003, F-BMW added a series in Asia, and Ho-Pin Tung was crowned champion; he’d become a test driver for BMW Williams and BMW Sauber F1.

Shortly after the 2003 season got underway, BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen decided that the series should expand to the UK and North America for 2004. BMW of North America VP of Marketing Jim McDowell agreed, and preparations began for the debut of Formula BMW USA the following year. 

McDowell tapped Alex Schmuck to organize the series, a formidable responsibility for a young marketing manager. “It was a big lift, but Schmuck had a passion for motorsports, and incredible amounts of experience in karting,” said Tom Salkowsky, then BMW NA’s team leader for Experiential Marketing.

Schmuck announced the series at the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 13, 2003, hoping to entice ChampCar teams to fund a junior program in Formula BMW USA for the following season. “We had a very short lead time, and we didn’t have a sanctioning body or a schedule when we went out to sell cars,” Schmuck said. “I said, ‘Listen, we’re racing in F1, we’re dedicated to motorsports, and we want to do this in the US,’ but it was a tough sell.”

Schmuck’s task was made challenging by Formula BMW’s high cost of entry compared to other junior series. The price of a car was set at $64,000, plus $20,000 for spare parts and $20,000 per entry for the season. With travel and other expenses, a full season of racing could cost up to $200,000—a hefty sum for a driver age 15 to 23. 

The cars themselves were certainly worth the money, being far more sophisticated than the steel tube-framed cars most youngsters would drive after moving up from karting. Penned by Michael Scully at BMW Designworks/USA in California, the F-BMW race cars were manufactured by Mygale in France. With a safe and strong carbon-Kevlar composite tubs, the BMW Motorsport-developed Formula Rescue Seat, and accommodation for a HANS device, each F-BMW exceeded FIA safety requirements for the class.

Power for the 1,003-pound race car was supplied by a 1,171cc K 1200 RS four-cylinder BMW motorcycle engine, mounted behind the driver and delivering 140 horsepower and 86 pound-feet through a single-plate clutch and a Hewland six-speed sequential gearbox. The double-wishbone suspension had adjustable dampers at all four corners; brake bias and aerodynamic downforce were also adjustable, with assistance from Pi Systems’ onboard data recording.

Schmuck and his Formula BMW USA Team worked the phones, reaching out to teams in the US and Canada. Among the first to say yes were Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, who created the one-car Vitesse team for his son Graham, and Tom Milner, whose Prototype Technology Group ran BMW’s M3 program in the American Le Mans Series. Milner agreed to field a team of four cars, one of which would be driven by his son, Tommy Junior.

“That really showed the North American market that if people like Rahal and Milner are going to participate, this is a series that will come to fruition,” Schmuck said. Indeed it did. While enlisting teams to participate, Schmuck negotiated a sanctioning deal with Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), then North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. In 14 races over seven weekends in 2004, Formula BMW would race in support of three CART races, the F1 Grands Prix of Canada and the US, and two American Le Mans Series races.

“That was by design,” Schmuck said. “CART gave us a fantastic deal, which allowed us to get in front of three audiences. BMW was competing with the M3 in ALMS, and we had access to Formula One races in the US and Canada. That made it much more appealing for teams to participate.”

As the start of the season drew closer, Schmuck still hadn’t secured enough cars to complete the grid. On McDowell’s suggestion, he called BMW dealers and racing team owners Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick, both of whom declined to participate but agreed to buy a car that BMW could provide to a promising young driver. That would be especially helpful for drivers of limited resources, as would winning one of the six $40,000 scholarships awarded by BMW Motorsport following the pre-season licensing school in Valencia. In its first year, Formula BMW USA provided scholarships to Trevor Daley, Billy Johnson, Graham Rahal, James Hinchcliffe, Tommy Milner, and Jonathan Summerton, none of whom were older than 17.
When the season started at Lime Rock on May 31, 2004, Schmuck and his Formula BMW USA team had persuaded seven teams to enter 16 cars, and an eighth joined later in the season with two more cars. Both races were won by Andreas Wirth, a 20-year-old German who’d finished ninth in F-BMW Europe in 2002 and tenth in 2003. Wirth would win two more races and the first F-BMW USA title, beating Rookie Cup winner Hinchcliffe and Summerton to the $20,000 prize.

More teams joined for the second season, and as many as two dozen cars comprised the grids for support races at the Canadian and US Grands Prix. France’s Richard Philippe took the 2005 title, followed by Canadians Robert Wickens in 2006 and Daniel Morad in 2007, American Alexander Rossi in 2008, and Colombian Gabby Chaves in 2009. From 2005 to 2009, those winners and their closest competitors would face off against their counterparts from the other F-BMW series at the Formula BMW World Final, the winner awarded a test in one of BMW’s Formula One cars.

In its final two seasons, Formula BMW USA was renamed Formula BMW Americas following the addition of a race weekend in Mexico. Only eleven drivers competed in all twelve races of 2009, none of which ran in support of F1. The global financial crisis that had begun in 2008 was still affecting new-car sales, and the entire industry was tightening its belt. At the end of 2009, BMW Motorsport withdrew from Formula One, pulling the plug on Formula BMW, as well. 

The series may have ended in 2009, but its legacy continues to be felt throughout motorsport. Formula BMW was far more than simply a step up from karting, and it offered far more than just track time and competition.

“Formula BMW offered young drivers an education, which other series didn’t,” Schmuck said. “We offered them a coach for physical fitness—Jim Leo, who does a lot of work with IndyCar drivers—and advice about nutrition. We gave them PR training with Bill Cobb, doing on-camera interviews and asking them to prepare a presentation on approaching sponsors. We also gave them access to our factory drivers, to hear how they’d progressed through their careers, and access to Mario Theissen, so they could hear from an F1 boss what’s important to him as a team manager, and what he looks for in a driver. That’s access that no other race series had, and no other race series had a direct path into an F1 test session.”

Beyond access, Formula BMW USA provided competitors with structure. “In typical BMW fashion, we had thought out the details from the layout of the paddock to the protocol from when the drivers and teams arrived at the track to when they left the circuit,” Salkowsky said. 

The professional-level paddock included a hospitality tent that hosted media events, and where drivers and their families could socialize, eat, and entertain sponsors. “It really set a new benchmark in terms of what a junior race series could provide, and it provided a real sense of community,” Schmuck said.

The series honed young drivers’ communication skills, not only with sponsors but with engineers. Thanks to the adjustability of the F-BMW car’s suspension, gearbox, and aerodynamics, Schmuck said, “The driver had to work with the team to set the car up every weekend, to get the highest performance for the track, the weather, etc.”

That in itself tended to separate those who’d been fast in non-adjustable karts from those with the technical and analytical skills needed in professional car racing. As a result, those who did well in Formula BMW often went on to long careers as professional drivers.

“For me, the greatest thing was being able to see how we were able to indirectly affect or make possible careers in motorsports through this program,” Schmuck said. “James Hinchcliffe, Graham Rahal, Billy Johnson… Tommy Milner might not have become a professional driver without this program, but he had the talent, worked hard, and became a successful sports car driver, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice. Robert Wickens won the series in his second year, and became a global Red Bull driver and went on to drive in DTM and in the IndyCar Series. Alexander Rossi went on to win the Indy 500 after starting in Formula BMW USA.”

Other F-BMW USA graduates include Esteban Gutiérrez, who raced in F1 with Haas, and IndyCar driver Simona de Silvestro. Worldwide, F-BMW alumni include F1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and the aforementioned Nico Rosberg, plus current and former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher, Sebastian Buemi, Timo Glock, Nico Hulkenberg, Sergio Pérez, Daniil Kvyat, Marcus Ericsson, Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz Jr., and many more who’ve competed successfully in other professional series.

Formula BMW USA had a positive effect on BMW of North America, too. It cemented BMW’s place in North American motorsport, and it communicated BMW’s brand values to motorsport enthusiasts.

“I think it made a connection, created a vertical structure in which the base is BMW,” said Salkowsky, “We’re a brand for drivers, we have these wonderful street cars, which extend to racing with the M3 and elevate to the pinnacle of motorsport in F1. And Formula BMW gave us the ability to communicate that not only do we do this at the highest level, but at the entry level. Who but BMW could do this?”

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 21, 2025 – MINI USA is diving into Miami Swim Week, celebrating the iconic brand spirit and the launch of its new models including the MINI Convertible. This year, MINI USA is activating with two high-profile partnerships – one with PARAISO Miami Swim Week, the official organizers of Miami Swim Week, and one with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, the iconic publication who are also activating at the week-long event.

MINI + PARAISO Miami Swim Week:

MINI USA and PARAISO Miami Swim Week are partnering to bring an exciting and dynamic presence to Miami Swim Week. This collaboration includes a main tent activation and the sponsorship of three talented designers: Leslie Amon, Azulu and British designer Oceanus, which provides a direct link to MINI’s heritage.

These designers will showcase their unique creations on wrapped MINIs, which will be prominently displayed at the runway show. Additionally, Leslie Amon, who is also a well-known influencer, will be driving around Miami Beach in a specially designed MINI Convertible, capturing exclusive content throughout Miami Swim Week.

MINI + Sports Illustrated Swimsuit:

MINI USA and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit are teaming up to make a splash at the annual SI Swimsuit pool party and runway event at the W South Beach. As the official vehicle of SI Swimsuit 2025 MINI will have its new convertibles on display and will be prominently featured as a title sponsor of the event. 

As part of the partnership, MINI is featured on the back cover of the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, on stands now.  MINI USA developed this back cover creative with their lead creative agency, Goodby Silverstein & Partners to deliver an execution that perfectly captured the brand’s signature cheeky and clever personality. The headline, “Your best chance with a British model,” gives a playful wink to MINI’s British heritage while nodding to the iconic models featured throughout the issue. Strengthening the partnership, MINI has also teamed up with iconic British model, Penny Lane for social content creation during the series of events tied to Miami Swim Week.

"We are excited to celebrate MINI’s rebellious spirit and our new MINI Convertible at Miami Swim Week," said Kate Alini, Department Manager, Marketing, Product & Strategy, MINI USA. “MINI has always been a canvas for creative expression and our partnerships with PARASIO and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit allow us to engage with fashion-forward audiences and showcase the creativity and innovation that MINI stands for."

MINI’s partnership with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and PARAISO Miami Swim Week marks the next evolution of the brand’s bold, playful approach to cultural moments. Uniting three icons that celebrate individuality and joy, these collaborations create experiential moments that invite audiences to view the brands through a fresh, vibrant lens. MINI, PARASIO and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit share a commitment to self-expression and cultural vibrancy, making every experience more exciting and unapologetically fun. MINI has partnered with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit on a broader collaboration that includes a number of activations at iconic and culturally relevant events over the course of this year, including recent engagements at golf and horse-racing events, with more programs to come.

For more information about MINI USA and its participation in Miami Swim Week, please visit www.miniusa.com or follow us @miniusa.

About MINI in the US:

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 105 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.
Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at www.miniusanews.com.

About PARAISO Miami Swim Week:

PARAISO Miami Swim Week, widely known as Miami Swim Week, has been the epicenter of swim and resort wear for over 20 years. PARAISO has established itself as the unrivaled pinnacle of the swim and resort wear industry worldwide. In July 2018, PARAISO unveiled a brand-new experiential festival that creatively united the world’s favorite fashion, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle brands through a roster of experiential events. The multi-day fashion fair is centralized in Collins Park and stretches across all Miami Beach. PARAISO champions the core values of innovation, originality, and discovery through must-see events, imaginative activations, exclusive launches, runway presentations, and collaborations in design, music, wellness, art, and social media. In 2025, PARAISO Miami Swim Week is celebrating the launch of SIHOF: Swimwear Icons Hall of Fame, a dedication and celebration of the swimwear industry, its tastemakers, and trailblazers. The week's lineup of special events kicks off on Wednesday, May 28, and runs through Sunday, June 1, with a star-studded roster of top-tier talent, designers, and industry creators.

ABOUT THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is one of the most recognizable and influential symbols of pop culture. Featuring talent from around the world, the issue has become a revered launching pad for successful careers in media, fashion, business, TV and film. The iconic and innovative institution continues to set the cultural tone and evoke discussion about what defines beauty on a global scale. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has become a lifestyle platform that champions body confidence and self-expression, and connects with diverse audiences through digital content and signature experiences that nurture the body, soul and spirit. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit remains steadfast in its goal of providing an inspirational media platform for individuals where they can connect, explore and engage with 24/7 content that speaks to wellness, travel, style and beauty.

For more information, visitswimsuit.si.com.

Follow Sports Illustrated Swimsuit onInstagram,TikTok andFacebook

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – May 1, 2025 --- BMW of North America, LLC announced today that Samantha Tan, the 27-year-old Asian-Canadian driver and co-owner of Samantha Tan (ST) Racing, will continue to support BMW M in 2025 and 2026 as BMW M Motorsport Global Ambassador with appearances at events in North America, Europe, and Asia.

This year, she is competing in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge driving a BMW M4 GT3 in the GTDX class. With the first four rounds already completed, she has a season’s-best finish of two wins amongst four podiums in her class. She stands fourth in the overall GTDX championship standings and leads the Bronze cup.

“I am incredibly honored to continue representing BMW M Motorsport as their Global Ambassador for 2025 and 2026.” said Samantha Tan. “BMW has played a pivotal role in my journey as a driver, and I’m proud to carry that legacy into new challenges this year—from racing in IMSA with the M4 GT3 to making my debut at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe with BMW Team WRT. I’m excited to keep pushing boundaries on and off the track, and to inspire the next generation of racers around the world alongside BMW."

In addition to her participation in the IMSA competition, Samantha is set to make her racing debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe this June. She will be racing a BMW M4 GT3 EVO, representing BMW Team WRT, at the Road to Le Mans. This iconic race is a significant milestone in Samantha’s journey in sports car racing, bringing her closer to her dream of one day competing at the prestigious Le Mans. Tan will share the No. 38 BMW with Gustav Bergstroem for the pair of 60-minute races on the undercard of the French endurance classic.

“We are extremely happy to continue our relationship with Samantha for another two years,” stated Adam McGregor, BMW NA Motorsport and Customer Racing Manager. “From her days racing in the M2 to now competing in the M4 GT3 Sam has been an incredible asset to the BMW brand both on and off the track. Her talent behind the wheel of a BMW race car, constant positivity and huge smile are some of the many reasons Sam resonates so well with fans young and old.”

Samantha Tan (ST) Racing 

Samantha Tan (ST) Racing was built out of passion, creativity and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. Established in 2017, ST Racing is made up of a passionate and dedicated group of individuals driven to succeed at the highest levels of motorsport.

In 2019 and 2020, ST Racing took back-to-back team championships in the Pirelli World Challenge and the Pirelli GT4 America series. Building on their North American successes the following year, the team won the 2021 24H Series overall championship during their first year overseas. In 2022, ST Racing moved up to the GT3 class, making history after taking the first-ever overall win for BMW's new M4 GT3 at the 2022 12H Mugello as well as braving the legendary 24 Hours of Spa. 2023 saw continued success with triumphs at GTWC Road America and GTWC 3H Barcelona. In 2024, the team took the GTWC America title battle down to the final race.

Samantha Tan Racing is honored to represent Canada on the world stage, competing head-to-head with some of the most talented race teams across the globe.

BMW Group in the United States

BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

Long Beach. In terms of qualifying speed, the BMW M Hybrid V8 remains the benchmark in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC) season after three races. Dries Vanthoor (BEL) completed the pole position hat-trick at the street circuit in Long Beach (USA), following Daytona and Sebring (both USA), driving car number 24. In the race, Vanthoor's teammate Philipp Eng (AUT) crossed the finish line in third place after 100 minutes, securing the first podium for BMW M Team RLL this season. Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Marco Wittmann (GER) finished fifth in the sister car after a strong comeback .

In qualifying, Vanthoor once again shone with an impressive lap time that secured him the pole position. Only van der Linde in the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 could match the pace, finishing second to complete the front row entirely in BMW M Motorsport's hands. In the race, both BMW M Team RLL cars initially took the lead, but they lost valuable positions during a pit stop in the first yellow phase. Particularly Wittmann, who took over the number 25 from van der Linde, had to fight hard to move up from tenth to fifth place. Eng only had to let the two Porsches at the front go and ultimately drove home a solid third place.

In the GTD class, Turner Motorsport competed with the #96 BMW M4 GT3 EVO. BMW M works driver Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (both USA) finished in fifth place.

Comments after the race:

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport: “The third pole position in the third race of the season for Dries Vanthoor and the complete front row in BMW M Motorsport's hands – that was fantastic. We have the speed, but unfortunately, we were not completely error-free in the race, which cost us the chance of winning. We lost valuable positions during the pit stops. Nevertheless, the first podium of the season for Dries Vanthoor and Philipp Eng is a success we can build on. The comeback by Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde after losing time during the pit stop was strong. Now we need to work even harder to convert our pace into the first win of the season next time.”

Philipp Eng (#24 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL, 3^rd place): “Starting from the first and second positions, this is obviously not the result we had hoped for. Unfortunately, we had a small issue during the pit stop, which caused us to fall behind the two Porsches. If we had stayed ahead, I think we could have kept them behind us. It's still a podium, but it's a pity because more was possible. Nevertheless, we are on the right track, and we will come back stronger in Laguna Seca.”

Marco Wittmann (#25 BMW M Hybrid V8, BMW M Team RLL, 5^th place): “Even though I managed a good comeback to fifth place, the disappointment prevails after this result. We were in first and second place in all practices and qualifying, so you naturally expect more than third and fifth places in the race. We made a strategic mistake with the timing of our pit stop during the yellow phase with our number 25, which almost threw us to the back of the GTP field. We need to learn from this and convert the strong pace that the BMW M Hybrid V8 has into top results next time.”

• 2025 event marks fourth year partnering with one of the world’s most prestigious professional tennis tournaments.
• Activation to showcase the updated 100% electric BMW iX and high-performance plug-in hybrid electric BMW M5 Touring.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 11, 2025… BMW of North America is back again as the Official Premium Vehicle Partner of the BNP Paribas Open, the company announced today. Hosted annually at the renowned Indian Wells Tennis Garden just outside Palm Springs, CA, the two-week event attracts tennis fans from across the globe to witness ‘Tennis Paradise’ in all its glory as the top ATP and WTA Tour players compete for the prestigious title. Tournament action kicked off last week with qualifying rounds on Sunday, March 2 and final matches are scheduled for Sunday, March 16.

As the event’s official automotive partner, BMW will feature its growing lineup of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the newly updated 100% electric BMW iX and the 717-horsepower plug-in hybrid electric BMW M5 Touring. The two-time reigning BNP Paribas Open Singles Men’s Champion Carlos Alcaraz designed his own version of the latter, which visitors will have the opportunity to see up close.

Like Alcaraz, fans of the Ultimate Driving Machine can customize their own dream BMW while they’re in Indian Wells. A new racket-in-hand challenge invites guests to hit tennis balls corresponding to personalized design choices on the BMW build-your-own configurator. A variety of premium hospitality and parking options, including complimentary preferred parking for BMW owners will also be available for select BMW customers in attendance.

"Our shared values of excellence, innovation, and attention to detail are why we joined forces with the BNP Paribas Open back in 2022 and we're proud to stand behind this prestigious event that embodies BMW's core spirit of performance and quality,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “This partnership not only highlights our commitment to sports and culture but also enhances our engagement with passionate audiences who appreciate the art of performance, both on the court and in our vehicles."

Highly regarded by players and fans alike, the annual two-week event known for its premium amenities, beautiful scenery, and extraordinary tennis matchups has been named ATP Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year and WTA 1000 Tournament of the Year a record-setting ten consecutive times.

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BMW Group in the United States.
BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.

Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.

BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.

The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
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Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com, www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com

• The BMW Championship has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007.
•   This year’s tournament is the first PGA TOUR event to be recognized as “Tournament of the Year” a record six times.

  Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 17, 2024… The 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, raised $10.2 million for caddie scholarships, the Western Golf Association announced today.

The record-setting contribution to the Evans Scholars Foundation is the largest ever for the BMW Championship, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to youth caddies. The BMW Championship has contributed over $60 million to the Foundation since 2007, helping award full tuition and housing college scholarships to more than 3,600 caddies during that time.

“So many moments from this year will stay with us, but what really stands out is how the golf fans of Colorado joined with our partners at BMW, Castle Pines Golf Club and the PGA TOUR to make such a tremendous difference for youth caddies,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “This contribution means hundreds of deserving young men and women will have an opportunity to change their lives for the better.”

More than 138,000 spectators visited Castle Pines Golf Club on August 20-25 for the penultimate event of the FedExCup Playoffs as the PGA TOUR returned to Colorado for the first time in a decade. Keegan Bradley finished 12-under par to beat Ludvig Åberg, Adam Scott and Sam Burns by a single shot and claim his second BMW Championship.

The 2025 Ryder Cup captain’s seventh PGA TOUR victory completed a week that celebrated the important role of caddies. Evans Scholars caddied for the pros during practice rounds and the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am and headlined events throughout the tournament. Colorado philanthropists George and Geoff “Duffy” Solich — brothers and Evans Scholars Alumni who played key roles in hosting the event — were inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame during a special ceremony before the tournament.

The week also featured a special visit from BMW Executive Ilka Horstmeier, who toured the University of Colorado Evans Scholarship House in Boulder and participated in a fireside chat with Evans Scholars, moderated by golf media personality Alexandra O’Laughlin.

“The BMW Group is proud of our longstanding partnership with the Western Golf Association, and of the great impact the BMW Championship makes in the lives of so many scholars,” said Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, People and Places. “As a forward-thinking corporation, opportunities for young people are matters particularly close to our heart. Education is the key to a self-determined life and an important pillar for the cohesion of our society. We are proud to support the Evans Scholars Foundation and their fantastic efforts in driving change.”

All funds raised during the 2024 BMW Championship will support full tuition and housing college scholarships for caddies through the Foundation, which was named the National Scholarship Providers Association’s Scholarship Provider of the Year in October. This year, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 24 leading universities nationwide.

Tournament of the Year

In the wake of a record-setting return to Colorado, the PGA TOUR named the 2024 BMW Championship the “Tournament of the Year” at its annual Tournament Meetings on December 11. In winning the coveted award for the second consecutive year, the BMW Championship became the first event to be named Tournament of the Year six times (2008, 2012, 2013, 2013-14, 2022-23, 2024).

“It’s an honor to be recognized in this way — and for the sixth time, no less — because each year we truly give the BMW Championship everything we’ve got,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “Tournament week is an invaluable opportunity to showcase our brand on an international stage while engaging with fans in a meaningful way. Thank you to the PGA TOUR for this honor, and to the BMW team, our partners, the volunteers, and fans who bring the BMW Championship to life each year. This extraordinary event would not be possible without your commitment, dedication, and passion.”

The BMW Championship delivered the “Ultimate Fan Experience” in 2024, focusing on spectator entry, access, and transportation across the unique terrain of Castle Pines to provide a seamless fan experience and the best vantage points to watch the TOUR’s top players up close. Concessions brought a local flavor, with staples from beloved Denver-area institutions and Castle Pines’ famed milkshakes. A week-long celebration of America’s armed forces included an opening ceremony with a flyover by four F-16 fighter jets from the Colorado Air National Guard.

“We set high expectations for our return to Colorado, and I think we delivered the best possible experience for the players, caddies, corporate partners and — most importantly — our incredible fans,” Pellegrino said. “This is a tremendous honor and a testament to everyone who worked so hard to make this tournament happen, especially our title sponsor BMW of North America.”

The 2024 BMW Championship was also honored with the award for “Best Tournament Sales” as the event’s return to Colorado generated unprecedented enthusiasm.

“I am honored that this year’s BMW Championship was voted as Tournament of the Year and Best Tournament Sales,” said Duffy Solich, the General Chairman of the 2024 BMW Championship. “These awards truly belong to a larger team and are reflective of all the work that went into putting on a first-class PGA TOUR event. We are thrilled we set a record in raising over $10 million in charitable contributions to send more young people to college on an Evans Scholarship. It is my honor to congratulate our entire membership who supported this event in every way, all our 70-plus member committees, our great staff at Castle Pines Golf Club, our wonderful community and its leaders and of course our incredible partners the WGA, BMW, and the PGA TOUR. The WGA are clearly the best at what they do in running a golf tournament.”

Castle Pines Golf Club Chairman and President George Solich said, “Delivering The Best Day of Golf in America is the standard we set and uphold at Castle Pines Golf Club. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the unforgettable experience we created together by showcasing the beauty and quality of the golf course and Club, the spirit of competition, and the camaraderie and support of our incredible membership and greater community.”

Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, will host the 2025 BMW Championship from August 12-17. For more information, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the BMW Championship
The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $50 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – October 21, 2024 – MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team closed out the 2024 SRO TC America series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 4 – 6 by bringing home several championship trophies and also the highly coveted Crew of the Year Awards in both the Touring Car (TC) and Touring Car A (TCA) classes. In total, the team secured 30 podiums, including 11 race wins, a Driver Championship and Manufacturer’s Championship in the TCA class and second place in Driver Championship for in the TC Class.

To date, the MINI JCW Team and MINI USA have won four manufacturer‘s championships in 10 years, in both the International Motor Sports Assocation (ISMA) and the SRO TC America series, making the 2015 F56 MINI Hardtop chasis used by the team the most successful production based MINI in any professional, multi-manfucturer racing series in the world.

Team veteran P.J. Groenke piloted the #62 MINI JCW to the Driver Championship in the TCA class, which also enabled the team to take home the Manufacturers Championship for MINI USA. Throughout the season, Groenke took home 14 podium finishes, including eight wins. Groenke was also named Fast Lap Winner, which recognizes the driver with the most fastest race laps, and the Pole Position Winner, which is the driver with the most pole positions during the season.

“I am very proud of the entire JCW team for another great season of racing,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “From our drivers who raced hard on the track every race weekend, to our full time crew and MINI dealer service technicians who worked miracles every weekend in the paddock and pitroad. It was a true team effort that showcased the spirit of MINI.”

The effort and success of the team in securing these championship trophies were also highlighted by securing the Crew of the Year Awards in both the TCA and TC classes. On any given race weekend, 75 percent of the MINI JCW Team crew are MINI dealer service technicians who support the team as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. This season, the team was supported by 15 MINI dealer service technicians from 13 different MINI dealers. The Crew of the Year awards are voted on by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors. This recognition by the competition field is a significant accomplishment for MINI dealer technicians and the full time crew members. These crew members and MINI technicians do everything from full engine replacements to body work and more right in the paddock at the track in between on track sessions.

Cristian Perocarpi, behind the wheel of the #37 MINI JCW PRO, also finished second place the TC class for the 2024 season. Throughout the season, Perocarpi achived eight podium finishes, including three race wins, one at Viriginia International Raceway and a race weekend sweep with two wins at Road America. Groenke and Perocarpi’s teammates, Alan Grossberg, Bruce Myrehn and Scott Thomson also secured a total of eight podiums throughout the season.  

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

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Jerez de la Frontera. A dream weekend with a fairytale ending – that is how BMW Motorrad Motorsport can describe the season finale of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP). On Saturday, Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team was crowned World Champion early with his BMW M 1000 RR. In the second main race on Sunday, he celebrated his 18th win of the season, and teammate Michael van der Mark (NED) made the dream of a shared podium come true with a third-place finish.

Razgatlioglu arrived at Jerez de la Frontera with such a large points lead that second place in Saturday’s first race was enough to secure the World Championship title. But he wanted another win. In Sunday’s Superpole race, he finished second again, but in the second main race, he stood on the top step of the podium one more time. After two sixth-place finishes, van der Mark reached the podium in the final race, his second after his victory at Magny-Cours (FRA).

The Bonovo action BMW Racing Team had their final race weekend with the BMW M 1000 RR at Jerez de la Frontera, as the partnership came to an end after four years. Garrett Gerloff (USA) finished the season with two seventh-place finishes on Sunday, while Scott Redding (GBR) took twelfth place twice.

In the 2024 season, BMW M 1000 RR riders secured a total of 19 victories and 12 additional podium finishes. In the manufacturers’ championship, BMW finished second.

Comments after the season finale at Jerez de la Frontera.

Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “To be honest, I’m speechless. This is a moment where Toprak and all of us together have made history. He and the entire team have truly achieved something historic, not only for BMW Motorrad but also for BMW as a whole. The World Championship title means an incredible amount to everyone in the company. We are very grateful to Toprak and all those who contributed to this success. A big thank you goes out to all our people on site, to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, and to the staff in Munich, at the Berlin plant, and in Landshut. I think it will take us a few weeks to fully realise it. But as early as Tuesday, we will begin testing for the new season, with the clear goal of defending the title. This Sunday was another special day for the entire team. The joy of Mickey securing third place and both ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team riders standing together on the podium was immense. It was a fitting season finale for the team.

The Bonovo action BMW Racing Team also gave a very strong performance this weekend. We want to thank them for everything, it was a great partnership, and we wish them all the best for the future.

For us, it’s now time to take a short breather and then dive straight into preparations for the new season. But tonight, we will celebrate first!”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP: 2 / R01: 2 / SP Race: 2 / R02: 1): “I want to say thank you to the entire BMW family because we had an incredible year. The season finale was an amazing event. We are World Champions – this was the end to a very long season and a very successful year in which we also had 13 wins in a row. We never gave up, and also today after the sprint race, we were working hard with the team. We changed the set-up of the bike and we tried something to get the win. In the race, I had a very good package and we did it – we won again. And I wanted to win the last race of the season. Usually Ducati is very strong here but we beat them again so everybody understood that BMW is really strong at all race weekends. It was incredible to be on the podium together with Mickey. It was dream, together with the team, to share the podium and it finally came true. He is a very great guy and he is pushing so hard at every race weekend. After his big injury, he is trying to come back and he has shown everyone what a strong rider he is. We are working together very well and I hope that we can race for the podium together again next year.”

Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (SP: 8 / R01: 6 / SP Race: 6 / R02: 3): “This year has been a dream for BMW and the entire team to take the world title and it has also been fantastic for me. I’ve been putting a lot of work in developing the bike together with BMW. They were always pushing. Even if the last two years have been unlucky they still trusted in me. I was building my pace, it was getting better and better, working together with Toprak. At a certain point we knew that the podium was coming and our goal was to be on the podium together. Unfortunately he wasn’t there at Magny-Cours but to finish the season this way, with the world title, his victory in the last race and me on the podium, it was fantastic for everyone in BMW.”

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 9, 2024… BMW of North America returns to the desert this week for the nation’s ultimate off-road endurance challenge as veteran driver Rebecca Donaghe and navigator Syndiely Wade traverse over 1,500 miles of grueling California and Nevada terrain in the all-new high-performance BMW X3 M50 during the 2024 Rebelle Rally. Taking place October 11–18, the nation’s longest off-road rally features a bold lineup of female driver-navigator teams and prohibits the usage of GPS guidance, forcing competitors to rely on paper maps and compasses as they hunt for checkpoints throughout the rugged desert landscape.

“I'm excited to return for my 8^th Rebelle Rally and 2^nd year with BMW, this time in the all-new BMW X3”, said driver Rebecca Donaghe. “We weren't sure what to expect last year and came away with a podium finish, so this year we know what's possible, expectations are high, and we'll be pushing even harder. It's another chance to take the Ultimate Driving Machine to the ultimate proving grounds and showcase BMW's engineering capabilities in some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in North America.” She added, “It’s especially exciting to drive a pre-production model even before the first customers have taken delivery.”

“We are prepared to tackle this challenge inside the all-new BMW X3—a vehicle that combines performance, offroad capabilities, and comfort”, said navigator Syndiely Wade. “This unique competition, navigated exclusively using topographic maps and a compass, will be an opportunity to test the power of this extraordinary vehicle while showcasing my skills in old-school navigation.”

For this year’s competition the all-new 393-horsepower BMW X3 M50 has been modified slightly for the rigorous off-road requirements of the Rally with the following enhancements but is still very close to a stock vehicle:

• Custom skid plates and interior storage solutions fabricated by BMW Manufacturing Talent Factory students.
• Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires.
• Rotiform BLQ-C wheels.
• Front Runner Slimline II roof rail rack kit, Wolfpack storage boxes, and Typhoon duffle bags.
• Rigid Industries 360-Series front light pods and Chase Amber rear lighting.
• XPEL STEALTH satin paint protection film on all exterior paint surfaces, XPEL PRIME XR Plus nano-ceramic window film, and XPEL FUSION PLUS ceramic coating on the wheels, glass, and exterior paint surfaces.

Since first establishing the Sports Activity Vehicle segment in the premium midsize class more than two decades ago, the BMW X3 has been instrumental in the steady popularity growth of the BMW X family of vehicles and is one of the brand’s best-selling models today. The new generation is being assembled for the North American market in BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“More versatile and sportier than ever, the all-new BMW X3 is an ideal choice for everything from spirited grocery store runs to cross-country road trips, and now proves its capabilities even for the ultimate rallying adventure”, said Dr. Andreas Meyer, Vice President of Product Management BMW Americas. “We are proud to again support our all-female team this year, piloting our highly capable vehicle ready for anything in its path.”

The fourth-generation BMW X3 will reach U.S. showrooms in October and offers two potent powertrains at launch—the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder BMW X3 30 xDrive with 255 horsepower starting at $49,500 and the high-performance 3.0 liter 6-cylinder BMW M50 xDrive with 393 horsepower starting at $64,100.

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BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists online at www.bmwusanews.com , www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.

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Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – September 6, 2024 – MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team head into the sixth race weekend of the 2024 SRO TC America series, making a stop at Barber Motorsports Park in Birminghan, Alabama. This is the first time the team and the series will visit the famed 2.38-mile track and the second to last race of the 2024 season. Just two weeks ago, Cristian Perocarpi, behind the wheel of the #37 MINI JCW PRO, secured both first place finishes in the Touring Car (TC) class at Road America.

Cristian Perocarpi will once again pilot the #37 MINI JCW PRO alongside teammate Scott Thomson in the #66 MINI JCW PRO in the Touring Car (TC) class. They will be joined by P.J. Groenke in the #62 MINI JCW in the Touring Car A (TCA) class. Groenke is the only member of the team with racing experience at Barber Motorsports Park.

“The team is ready to give it their all at Barber Motorsports Park this weekend and continue our successful campaign during the 2024 season,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “Cristian and Scott have been working closely with P.J. given his experience at the track to understand all the unique turns and elevation changes they will face this weekend.”

To highlight MINI’s famous support for owner customization, the MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team once again featured a special rooftop graphic on the roof of the #37 MINI JCW PRO driven by Perocarpi this weekend.

The MINI JCW Race Team full time crew at Barber Motorsports Park will be joined by one MINI dealer technicians as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Every race weekend MINI dealer technicians support the team at the track during practice, qualifying and race days for the entire weekend. The race team relies on the skill and knowledge of the technicians that work, day to day on MINI, to bring that expertise to the track. This weekend the team will be supported by a MINI dealer technician from MINI of Dallas. Last season the team was supported by more than 20 qualified MINI dealer technicians and were also voted Crew of the Year by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors.

The MINI JCW Race Team finished the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runner up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship. The series finale for the 2024 season will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 3 – 6.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

#  #  #

Castle Rock, CO – August 25, 2024… BMW congratulates Keegan Bradley on winning the 2024 BMW Championship today at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Bradley entered the tournament as the last man in the 50-player field and embraced his underdog odds to earn his second BMW Championship title, finishing the week 12-under-par, winning the event by one stroke.

After finishing with an even par 72 on Sunday, Bradley became the first U.S. Ryder Cup captain to win on the PGA TOUR since 2015 and claimed his seventh PGA TOUR title. With the win, Bradley catapulted 46 spots up to No. 4 in the FedExCup Playoff standings and will head into the TOUR Championship next week at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, GA.

“Winning on the PGA Tour is so difficult, and I’m proud of the way I hung in there today to win the BMW Championship,” said Bradley. “Castle Pines is spectacular, and they should be proud of how they treated the caddies this week, it means a lot to all of us.”

Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW of North America, was joined by Western Golf Association Chairman Steve Colnitis, Castle Pines Golf Club Chairman and President, George Solich, and Tournament Chairman, Duffy Solich to present Bradleywith the BMW Championship and J.K. Wadley trophies.

“The 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club gave us an incredible week of golf and brought out the best in these players,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO of BMW North America. “A special congratulations to Keegan Bradley for winning it, and a big thank you to all of the players, fans, volunteers, and members of the community who made this event possible.”

Since 2007, the BMW Championship has raised more than $50 million in support of the Evans Scholars, helping more than 3,300 students achieve their dreams of attending college. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.

On Wednesday, the annual BMW Championship Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am was held and featured several celebrity guests including NFL Hall-of-Famers John Elway and Peyton Manning, in addition to country music icon Luke Bryan.

Bradley will defend his title next August when the BMW Championship heads back to Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. Future tournament venues include Bellerive Country Club, in St. Louis, Missouri in 2026 and Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2027.

For updates during the 2024 BMW Championship, follow the conversation at:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup

About the BMW Championship
The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $50 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

# # #

Castle Rock, CO – August 21, 2024… The BMW Championship returns to one of America’s most enthusiastic golf communities this week as the best players on the PGA TOUR tee off at Castle Pines Golf Club just outside Denver, Colorado in the race for the FedExCup Trophy. The field of 50 set for this year’s FedExCup Playoff contest includes world number-one player and current FedExCup leader, Scottie Scheffler; world number-two player and two-time major winner this season, Xander Schauffele; and world number-five player, Wyndham Clark, a Colorado native. Hosted by the Western Golf Association, the BMW Championship is the oldest non-major on the PGA TOUR schedule, dating back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open. Golf royalty including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have won the tournament throughout its rich history.

Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am.

The action at Castle Pines Golf Club kicks off today, Wednesday, August 21, with the annual Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am. The event features many notable guests playing on behalf of the Evans Scholars Foundation, which awards full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving young caddies across the nation. Local legends and NFL Hall-of-Famers Peyton Manning and John Elway take the course during the Evans Scholars Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year, alongside Colorado Avalanche Captain Gabe Landeskog, and one of country music’s reigning superstars—Luke Bryan—who also performed an exclusive live event yesterday evening. Evans Scholars and Alumni caddie for each Pro-Am group, donating all tips back to the Program.

Evans Scholars Foundation.

As always, all proceeds from the 2024 BMW Championship fund full college tuition and housing scholarships for inspiring young caddies from across the country. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has raised more than $50 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping over 3,300 students to attend college and follow their dreams. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 leading universities as Evans Scholars.

Hole-In-One Scholarship.

BMW will once again contribute an additional full four-year Evans Scholarship in the name of the first PGA TOUR player to record a hole-in-one on any hole during tournament play this week. Diana Llamas was named the sixth BMW Hole-in-One Scholar at last year’s event in Chicago as a result of Viktor Hovland’s ace during the 2022 BMW Championship in Delaware.

Hole-In-One Vehicle.

BMW will also continue its tradition of awarding a new car to the first golfer to record a hole-in-one on a designated hole during a competition round. This year, the first player to ace the par-three 16^th hole will walk away with the keys to the all-new BMW M5 Touring, which just made its World Premiere last week. The latest iteration of one of BMW’s most iconic high-performance nameplates now features a 717-horsepower BMW M Hybrid drive system and offers a new level of utility to go along with the race-bred performance, bold design, and superlative all-day comfort that have always been hallmarks of the BMW M5. BMW Owners in attendance can witness the thrill of this tantalizing par-three challenge firsthand at the BMW Owners Pavilion hospitality venue overlooking the 16^th.

Guest Experiences at Castle Pines Golf Club.

In addition to the competition, fans attending the BMW Championship will have access to a variety of interactive activities including:

• BMW Owners’ Pavilion.

A BMW vehicle key fob or Digital Key in the My BMW smartphone app will unlock exclusive hospitality benefits at the BMW Championship, beginning with premium parking options upon arrival to Castle Pines Golf Club. BMW Owners and a guest will also receive access to the BMW Owners’ Pavilion with unparalleled views of the featured par-3 16^th hole and 15^th green.  

• The BMW Experience.

All guests are invited to join BMW for a variety of activities in between the action on the fairways and greens. Located by the 11^th hole, the BMW Experience features a unique putting challenge, plus an assortment of local food and beverage options. A collection of BMW’s latest products, including the plug-in hybrid-electric BMW X5 xDrive50e and the all-new performance-oriented BMW X3 M50 will be on display. Fans can also catch a ride in a 100% electric BMW i5 official course shuttle vehicle.

• Enhanced Digital Access.

Guests will be able to download the BMW Championship Ultimate Experience Pass to check-in at a variety of activities while visiting Castle Pines Golf Club. The new and improved system will allow for a more streamlined registration process and reduced wait times. The platform can be easily accessed by scanning the QR code on event signage.

For updates during the 2024 BMW Championship, follow the conversation at:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup

# # #

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $50 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – August 16, 2024 –MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team are gearing up for Week 5 of the 2024 SRO TC America series at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The team heads to the famed Midwest road course after the team took home a total of five podiums at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), including Cristian Perocarpi’s victory in Race 2 that weekend. The MINI John Cooper Works Team will also ride the momentum of a strong showing at Road America in 2023, where the team netted four total podiums including one first place, one second place, and two third place finishes. 

“We had tremendous success at Road America last season so we have a strong plan in place for our talented group of drivers,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “We hope to finish strong again this season and bring home a few podiums for the MINI team.”

Cristian Perocarpi will once again pilot the #37 MINI JCW PRO alongside Scott Thomson in the #66 MINI JCW PRO in the Touring Car (TC) class. They will be joined by P.J. Groenke in the #62 MINI JCW and Bruce Myrehn in the #63 MINI JCW in the Touring Car A (TCA) class.

This weekend MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team will once again feature a special rooftop graphic on the roof of the #37 MINI JCW PRO driven by Perocarpi. MINI vehicles have long been known for having a highly visible white roof and in recent years still offers roof graphics and multi-tone roofs to support owner customization.

The MINI JCW Race Team full time crew at Road America will also joined by three MINI dealer technicians as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Every race weekend MINI dealer technicians support the team at the track during practice, qualifying and race days for the entire weekend. The race team relies on the skill and knowledge of the technicians that work, day to day on MINI, to bring that expertise to the track. This weekend the team will be supported by MINI dealer technicians from MINI of Des Moines, International MINI and MINI of Orlando. Last season the team was supported by more than 20 qualified MINI dealer technicians and were also voted Crew of the Year by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors.

The MINI JCW Race Team finished the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runner up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

#  #  #

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April. 5, 2024…BMW Motorrad USA is proud to announce the return of BMW Motorrad Days Americas, as part of the storied Barber Vintage Festival, for 2024. The first ever BMW Motorrad Days Americas took place last year and helped celebrate the 100 Years history of BMW motorcycles with record attendance at the Barber Vintage Festival.

“Last year’s celebration of the BMW Motorrad Days Americas at the Barber Vintage Festival was so much fun, there is no way we could not be back.” said Luciana Francisco, Head of Marketing and Product, BMW Motorrad USA. “There is no better community than the global motorcycling community and we could not ask for a better host than the Barber Vintage Festival. Seeing so many people, from so many different backgrounds, together, celebrating our passion for riding, is truly a special experience.”

Enthusiasts can register for a BMW Motorrad discount on Barber Vintage Festival event tickets here.

Additionally, stay tuned for BMW Motorrad Days Americas VIP Experience Packages, to be announced soon.

Attendees will have access to the BMW Motorrad Fan Zone with new and vintage motorcycles and partner displays, a kid zone, live music and a biergarten. In the Proving Ground, on- and off-road demo rides on the newest BMW models will be available, including on the R 1300 GS, F 900 GS, R 12 and the fully electric CE 02. The BMW Fan Zone is also very close to the Barber Vintage Festival Fan Zone, which offers a great view of vintage racing on the Barber circuit.

“I couldn't be more thrilled to announce the return of BMW Motorrad Days to the Barber Vintage Festival, said George Dennis, President of ZOOM Motorsports. “It's a celebration of passion, performance, and the vibrant community that fuels our love for two-wheel adventures.”

Event Information  

Dates:           October 11-13

Location:       Barber Motorsports Park

Address:       6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Leeds, AL 35094

BMW Motorrad Days Americas Link.

Barber Vintage Festival Link.

Barber Vintage Festival

The Annual Barber Vintage Festival presented by BMW Motorrad takes place at Barber Motorsports Park. This is a celebration of vintage motorcycles and one of the largest motorcycle festivals in the world. With thousands of vintage motorcycles onsite during the weekend there is plenty for the vintage motorcycle enthusiast to love.  Over 80,000 spectators will be onsite to enjoy three-days of Vintage motorcycle racing, fan zone, stunt shows, swap meet with over 600 vendors, and demo rides. The Park is also home to the Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum featuring the world’s largest Vintage motorcycle collection. During the weekend the Museum is open extended hours and features seminars, speakers, and demonstrations. This is a must-see event.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,145 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Twitter: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bmwmotorrad

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en.   

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – May 17, 2024 –MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team are gearing up for Week 3 of the 2024 SRO TC America series at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. The team heads to one of the most challenging tracks in the series after battling for several podiums at Sebring just two weeks ago, where Cristian Perocarpi and P.J. Groenke each took home second and third place finishes in their respected classes – Perocarpi in TC and Groenke in TCA. Joing Groenke and Perocarpi this weekend are Scott Thomson in the #66 MINI JCW PRO in the TC class and Alan Grossberg in the #63 MINI JCW in the TCA class.

This weekend MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team will once again feature a special rooftop graphic on the roof of the #37 MINI JCW PRO driven by Perocarpi. MINI vehicles have long been known for having a highly visible white roof and in recent years still offers roof graphics and multi-tone roofs to support owner customization.

“The team has started the season very strong and we look to continue to build on that momentum heading into this weekend,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “We have raced well at COTA over the past few seasons so we are well prepared to compete for additional podiums this weekend.”

This weekend’s crew will also include three MINI dealer technicians as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Every race weekend MINI dealer technicians support the team at the track during practice, qualifying and race days for the entire weekend. The race team relies on the skill and knowledge of the technicians that work, day to day on MINI, to bring that expertise to the track. This weekend the team will be supported by MINI dealer technicians from MINI of Dallas, Roadshow MINI and MINI of Clear Lake. Last season the team was supported by more than 20 qualified MINI dealer technicians and were also voted Crew of the Year by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors.

The MINI JCW Race Team finished the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runner up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

#  #  #

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – May 3, 2024 –MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team are gearing up for Week 2 of the 2024 SRO TC America series at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla. The team heads to the famed central Florida track known for its challenging surface after a action and drama filled weekend at Sonoma, where P.J. Groenke piloted the #62 MINI JCW to two first place finishes, sweeping the Touring Car A (TCA) class.

Joing Groenke this weekend are Cristian Perocarpi driving the #37 MINI JCW PRO and Scott Thomson in the #66 MINI JCW PRO, both competing in the Touring Car (TC) class. They will be joined by newcomer to the team Alan Grossberg in the #63 MINI JCW in the TCA class.

This weekend MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team will once again feature a special rooftop graphic on the roof of the #37 MINI JCW PRO driven by Perocarpi. This weekend Perocarpi’s #37 MINI JCW PRO will feature a nod to the 60-year anniversary of the MINI’s victory at Monte Carlo in 1964. MINI vehicles have long been known for having a highly visible white roof and in recent years still offers roof graphics and multi-tone roofs to support owner customization.

“The team is ready for everything the competition and Sebring have to offer this weekend,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “Sebring is tough on the cars and the racers but we have performed well there in the past and will be bringing that MINI racing sprit with us to the track.”

The team will look to ride the momentum of last season, when 21 year old Clayton Williams won his first Driver’s Championship in the TC class and the team was voted Crew of the Year for the series by the field of credentialed participants and competitors. Last season, then 20 year old Perocarpi took home seven podiums in the #37 MINI JCW PRO, including a second place finish at both Ciricuit of the Americas and Road America. Team veteran Groenke also took home three podiums in the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class, including his first career win at Virginia International Raceway and third place finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park and Road America.

The MINI JCW Race Team finished the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runner up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

#  #  #

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - May 2, 2024…When the green flag waves to start the May 12^th Motul Course de Monterey race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Turner Motorsport will make its 557^th start and race into the history books as the team with more BMW race starts than any other team in the world. Exclusively racing BMWs since 1998, Will Turner’s team will eclipse legendary Schnitzer Motorsport for the number one spot with their GT Daytona class BMW M4 GT3, aptly numbered No. 557 for the occasion.

“My first pro race was in 1998 in a E36 BMW 325 at Topeka, Kansas,” said Will Turner, “Quite a bit has changed in the past 26 years, but one thing has not: I have never stopped racing BMWs. We knew the day would come when we would surpass Schnitzer, but it is still a bit odd to think of ourselves as the team with more BMW race starts than anyone. Race number 557 is very special. I appreciate IMSA allowing us the number for the Laguna Seca race.”

Turner continued, “26 years and 557 races means there are too many people to thank. We’ve had drivers from Auberlen to Ziegler and everyone in between – drivers at the beginning of their careers and at the peak of their careers. Of course, BMW has never failed to support us, and we have enjoyed great partnerships with companies like H&R Springs since the beginning, along with Liqui-Moly.”

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport) commented, “What a milestone for Turner Motorsport! Congratulations on the record-breaking 557^th start in a BMW race car and a big thank you for your decades-long trust in our brand! It is always a pleasure and great fun to work with Will Turner and his crew who have a great professionalism. The long list of victories and titles speaks for itself: Turner Motorsport is an integral part of BMW M Motorsport’s racing program in North America, and I hope it will be like this for many more years.”

Practice for the Laguna Seca weekend begins on Friday, May 10 with the Turner cars in action in both the Michelin Pilot Challenge and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Michelin Pilot Challenge qualifying, and the two-hour race will take place on Saturday, the 11^th. Sunday the 12^th will see Turner Motorsport’s 557^th race with BMW be broadcast live on NBC from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET.

Team Highlights:

• Exclusively racing BMWs since 1998
• 9 Championships
• 557 Races with BMW
• 2023 BMW Sport Trophy Team Champion
• 2014 BMW Sport Trophy Driver Champion – Markus Palttala
• 2011 BMW Sport Trophy Driver Champion – Paul Dalla Lana

9 Championships:

• 2003 SPEED World Challenge Touring Car – Bill Auberlen
• 2004 SPEED World Challenge Touring Car – Bill Auberlen
• 2006 Grand-Am Grand Sport – Boris Said/Anders Hainer
• 2006 Grand-Am Cup Street Tuner – Will Turner/Don Salama
• 2007 Grand-Am Koni Challenge Street Tuner – Adam Burrows/Trevor Hopwood
• 2011 Grand-Am Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Grand Sport – Bill Auberlen/Paul Dalla Lana
• 2014 IMSA Tudor United SportsCar Championship GT Daytona – Dane Cameron/Markus Palttala
• 2023 IMSA VP Racing Challenge Grand Sport X – Francis Selldorff
• 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Grand Sport – Robby Foley/Vincent Barletta

BMW Models Raced:

• E36 325i/328i
• E46 325i/330i
• E46 M3
• E90 330i
• E92 M3
• E92 M3
• E63 M6
• E89 Z4 GT3
• F22 M235i Racing
• F13 M6 GT3
• F82 M4 GT4
• G82 M4 GT4
• G82 M4 GT3

BMW Drivers that have driven for Turner Motorsport:

• Boris Said
• Bill Auberlen
• Maxime Martin
• Joey Hand
• Jorg Müller
• Dirk Müller
• Dirk Werner
• Andy Priaulx
• Augusto Farfus
• Markus Palttala
• Robby Foley
• Jens Klingmann
• Martin Tomczyk
• John Edwards
• Bruno Spengler
• Jesse Krohn

Series entered/year:

• 1998   SCCA World Challenge T2
• 1999   SCCA Speedvision World Challenge Touring Car
• 2000   SCCA Speedvision World Challenge Touring Car
• 2001   SCCA Speedvision World Challenge Touring Car
• 2002   SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car
• 2003   SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car
• 2004   SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car
• 2004   Grand-Am Cup ST
• 2005   SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car
• 2005   Grand-Am Cup ST
• 2005   Grand-Am Cup GS
• 2006   Grand-Am Cup ST
• 2006   Grand-Am Cup GS
• 2007   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge ST
• 2007   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2008   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge ST
• 2008   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2009   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge ST
• 2009   Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2010   Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST
• 2010   Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2010   Grand-Am Rolex Series Sports Car Championship GT
• 2011   Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2011   Grand-Am Rolex Series Sports Car Championship GT
• 2012   Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2012   Grand-Am Rolex Series Sports Car Championship GT
• 2013   Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2013   Grand-Am Rolex Series Sports Car Championship GT
• 2014   IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2014   IMSA Tudor United SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2015   SCCA Pirelli World Challenge GT
• 2015   SCCA Pirelli World Challenge GTA
• 2015   IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS
• 2015   IMSA Tudor United SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2016   SCCA Pirelli World Challenge GTA
• 2016   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2017   SCCA Pirelli World Challenge TC
• 2017   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2018   SCCA SprintX GT Championship GT
• 2018   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2019   SRO GT World Challenge America Am
• 2019   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2019   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2020   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2020   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2021   SRO GT World Challenge America Pro
• 2021   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2021   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2022   SRO GT World Challenge America Pro
• 2022   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2022   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2023   SRO GT America SRO3
• 2023   SRO GT World Challenge America Pro
• 2023   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2023   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD
• 2024   SRO GT America SRO3
• 2024   SRO GT World Challenge America Pro-Am
• 2024   IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge GS
• 2024   IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 145 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

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Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en. 

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – April 5, 2024 –MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team are gearing up for another successful season in the Touring Car (TC) and Touring Car A (TCA) classes of the 2024 SRO TC America series. Returning to the team this are Cristian Perocarpi driving the #37 MINI JCW PRO in the TC class and P.J. Groenke driving the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class. Perocarpi and Groenke will be joined by newcomer to the team Scott Thomson driving the #66 MINI JCW PRO in the TC class.

This weekend MINI USA and the MINI JCW Team will also introduce a special rooftop graphic series that will feature a new graphic on the roof of the #37 MINI JCW PRO driven by Perocarpi at every race weekend. This weekend Perocarpi’s #37 MINI JCW PRO will feature a nod to the 60-year anniversary of the MINI’s victory at Monte Carlo in 1964. MINI vehicles have long been known for having a highly visible white roof and in recent years still offers roof graphics and multi-tone roofs to support owner customization.

This season will also mark the return of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Every race weekend MINI dealer technicians support the team at the track during practice, qualifying and race days for the entire weekend. The race team relies on the skill and knowledge of the technicians that work, day to day on MINI, to bring that expertise to the track. Last season the team was supported by more than 20 qualified MINI dealer technicians and were also voted Crew of the Year by the series’ credentialed participants and competitors. This weekend the team will be supported by four MINI dealer technicians, two from MINI of Hawaii, one from MINI of Stevens Creek and one from MINI of Portland.

“We are looking forward to another great season in the SRO TC America series,”  said Luis Perocarpi, team owner, LAP Motorsports. “We have a solid team of talented drivers and a crew that is one of the best in the series. We hope to bring home another championship to add to the rich MINI motorsports hertitage dating back more than 60 years.”

The team will look to ride the momentum of last season, when 21 year old Clayton Williams won his first Driver’s Championship in the TC class and the team was voted Crew of the Year for the series by the field of credentialed participants and competitors. Last season, then 20 year old Perocarpi took home seven podiums in the #37 MINI JCW PRO, including a second place finish at both Ciricuit of the Americas and Road America. Team veteran Groenke also took home three podiums in the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class, including his first career win at Virginia International Raceway and third place finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park and Road America.

The MINI JCW Race Team finished the 2023 SRO TC America Series as runner up for both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship.

About the MINI JCW Team
The MINI JCW Team, operated by LAP Motorsports, drives MINI’s most powerful Hardtop ever in the two-door MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop. The team competes in the fiercely competitive SRO TC America Series. For additional information please visit minijcwteam.com or email luis@minijcwteam.com.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The authorized MINI USA dealer organization is represented by a network of 104 MINI full passenger car sales and service dealers located throughout the US.  MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of five unique vehicles.

Journalist notes: Media information about MINI and its products is available to journalists on-line at MINIUSANEWS.com.

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 11, 2024… BMW of North America returns as the official premium automotive partner for the BNP Paribas Open, the company announced today. The event is underway at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California with the final matches scheduled for Sunday, March 17. Over two weeks, top ATP and WTA Tour players are facing-off in one of the world’s most prestigious tennis events.

As the official premium automotive partner of the event, BMW will showcase its growing lineup of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles including the all new, fully electric BMW i5 and 738-horsepower plug in hybrid electric BMW XM Label. Tennis fans will also have the opportunity to experience the thrill of the BMW M4 GT4 racecar in a simulator on site or sign up for a live track day session at the BMW Performance Center West in nearby Thermal, CA where they can get behind the wheel for real and learn how to drive like the professionals.

For attendees looking to put their tennis skills to the test, BMW will once again offer a daily speed serve contest in the fan zone area. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest serve of the day throughout the tournament. A variety of premium hospitality and parking options, including complimentary preferred parking for BMW owners will also be available for select BMW customers in attendance.

“Each year the BNP Paribas Open hosts the top performers in the sport and creates an incredible premium experience for fans in the tennis paradise of Indian Wells,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “It is against this backdrop, and with the shared values of performance, luxury, and attention to detail, that BMW is proud to present our latest electric vehicle line up and support the 2024 BNP Paribas open.”

Highly regarded by players and fans alike, the annual two-week event has been named ATP Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year, and WTA 1000 Tournament of the Year, a record-setting nine consecutive times.

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BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists online at www.bmwusanews.com , www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com.

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – February 26, 2024…BMW of North America, LLC announced today that Samantha Tan, the 26-year-old Asian-Canadian driver and co-owner of Samantha Tan (ST) Racing, will continue to support BMW M in 2024 as BMW M Motorsport Global Ambassador with appearances at events in North America and Europe. She will also return to compete in the 2024 SRO GT World Challenge America series co-driving a BMW M4 GT3 with Neil Verhagen in the Pro-Am class. Last year, in their first weekend together, Tan and Verhagen finished second in both rounds at VIRginia International Raceway.

 "Finding the right words to convey my excitement and the significance of this moment is a challenge,” shared Samantha Tan. “Being a lifelong enthusiast of BMW, I am thrilled to continue my role as an official brand ambassador for BMW M Motorsport in 2024. This journey has been a dream realized, and it fills me with immense pride to represent BMW and race in their colors. I am eager to start this exhilarating season ahead and look forward to our continued growth and success."

In addition to her GT3 duties, Samantha will race a BMW M4 GT4 in a SRO GT America series race during the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend on April 19 - 21. Tan will also race a BMW M4 GT4 at select Nürburgring races this summer. Released on Feb. 22, the latest episode of BMW M Motorsport’s Mbedded series features Samantha and her life on and off the track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc_z_iTGr0c).

“We are very pleased to re-sign Samantha for another year sharing her passion for the BMW M brand with the world,” stated Adam McGregor, BMW NA Motorsport Manager. “Sam’s approachability and boundless energy allows her to inspire fans of BMW M in a very unique way. Sam and ST Racing had a very successful 2023 and we’re excited to build on that success in 2024.”

ST Racing was established in 2017, winning championships in the Pirelli World Challenge and the Pirelli GT4 America series in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the team exported their North American success to win the 2021 24H Series overall championship. The next year, ST Racing moved up to the GT3 class, making history after taking the first ever overall win for BMW's new M4 GT3 at the 2022 12 Hours of Mugello.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 145 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en. 

• Donation sets new record for BMW Championships held in the Chicago area.
• The BMW Championship has contributed $50 Million to the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007.
• PGA TOUR names BMW Championship ‘Tournament of the Year’ for the fifth time

Woodcliff Lake, NJ. – December 14, 2023… The 2023 BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, raised $5.5 million for caddie scholarships, the Western Golf Association announced today.

The contribution to the Evans Scholars Foundation stands as the largest ever for a BMW Championship held in the Chicago area, reinforcing the event’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to youth caddies. The BMW Championship has now contributed $50 million to the Foundation since 2007, helping award full tuition and housing college scholarships to more than 3,300 caddies during that time.

“We can’t say enough about the passion of the Chicago-area golf fans, as well as the unwavering support of our partners at BMW, Olympia Fields Country Club and the PGA TOUR,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “This was a year to be remembered, made even more special by the lasting impact this championship will have on the lives of youth caddies nationwide.”

More than 120,000 spectators visited Olympia Fields Country Club on Aug. 15-20 to see the top 50 players on the PGA TOUR compete in the penultimate event of the FedExCup Playoffs. Viktor Hovland fired a course-record 61 in the final round, surging past Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick to claim his fifth PGA TOUR victory. Hovland went on to win the TOUR Championship and the FedExCup title.

Caddies took center stage as Evans Scholars caddied for the pros during the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am, were introduced on the first tee on Saturday and Sunday, and headlined events throughout championship week. After his third round, Hovland met with Evans Scholar Diana Llamas, whose scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was funded by BMW as a result of Hovland’s hole-in-one at the 2022 BMW Championship in Wilmington, Delaware.

The week also featured a special visit from Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labor Relations Director, who toured the Northwestern Evans Scholarship House in Evanston, Illinois, and conducted a fireside chat for current Evans Scholars.

“The BMW Group is much more than an automobile manufacturer. With about 150,000 employees from 110 nations worldwide, we are an integral part of global society. And as such, we are also involved outside of our offices and factory gates. One of these commitments is our longstanding support of the Evans Scholars Foundation,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, People and Real Estate, Labor Relations Director. “We are very proud to be able to contribute to a successful future for so many young students through the BMW Championship. These are exactly the kind of initiatives that we promote to create opportunities for young people to reach their full potential.”

All funds raised during the 2023 BMW Championship helped the Evans Scholars Foundation provide college scholarships to deserving youth caddies. This year, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled as Evans Scholars at 24 leading universities nationwide.

Tournament of the Year.

In the wake of the record-setting week, the 2023 BMW Championship was named the “Tournament of the Year” at the PGA TOUR’s annual Tournament Meetings on Dec. 7. Sharing the distinction with the 2023 WM Phoenix Open, the BMW Championship received the prestigious honor for the fifth time (2008, 2012, 2013, 2013-14, 2022-23).

“Earning tournament of the year for the fifth time is a huge honor that validates all of the hard work and energy we invest into creating extraordinary brand experiences for our customers and fans,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “This year’s award is especially meaningful due to our historic event’s deep roots in the Chicago area. Many thanks to all of our partners, the volunteers, and golf lovers everywhere who help the BMW Championship come alive each year.”

The 2023 tournament embraced its location just outside Chicago, with the Olympia Fields Metra Station serving as the main tournament entrance, as spectators used the train daily for easy transport between the city and course. Concessions included various food trucks offering fare like pizza, hot dogs and Italian beef from notable Chicago restaurants. First Tee – Greater Chicago also engaged in the event with its sponsorship of the family-friendly Game Changers Pavilion Presented by KPMG.

“We enter every year thinking about how we can ensure that the BMW Championship provides the best possible experience for the players, caddies, our corporate partners and – most importantly – golf fans,” Pellegrino said. “To have that effort recognized by the PGA TOUR is truly rewarding and humbling, both for the WGA and our title sponsor, BMW of North America, without whom none of this would be possible.”

Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, will host the 2024 BMW Championship from Aug. 20-25. For individual tickets, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $45 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 36,000 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 20, 2023… The attention of the golf world will turn to Italy next week, as the 44th Ryder Cup is played at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, near Rome, Italy from September 25 – October 1.  For the first time ever, BMW will stream every stroke of tournament play live in select models.

Passengers in the new BMW 7 Series will feel like they are right there on the fairways and greens as they watch on the BMW Theater Screen – a 31-inch panoramic display, which extends down from the roof lining, offering 8K resolution and transforming the rear of the vehicle into an exclusive private theater on wheels. Thanks to the on-board 5G-enabled antenna, BMW customers will benefit from the best-possible streaming speeds. 

“The Ryder Cup is associated with unique emotions and great prestige – there is no other golfing event like it,” says Stefan Ponikva, Vice President BMW Brand Communication and Brand Experience. “The same is true of BMW vehicles, particularly the BMW 7 Series. The exclusive opportunity to combine sheer driving pleasure with the emotions of the Ryder Cup combines all this with the BMW Group’s aspiration to rethink the digital experience both inside and outside the car and to create innovative worlds of experience.”

The free live broadcasts and a wide range of additional on-demand content can also be viewed on the front-seat BMW Curved Display of the BMW 7 Series, and select BMW iX, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7, and BMW XM models when the vehicle is stationary. Streaming on the BMW Theatre Screen is possible for rear-seat passengers while the vehicle is in motion.

Established in 1927, the biennial competition pits 12 of the top professional golfers from the United States and Europe against each other in a head-to-head match play competition and has become one of the world’s greatest sporting events, captivating an audience of millions around the globe. BMW has been involved in the Ryder Cup since 2006, this year assuming the role of Worldwide Partner for the second time.

As part of the partnership, BMW also provides a fully electric fleet of 180 vehicles for use of the players and event teams throughout the week, contributing to the smooth operation of the Ryder Cup.

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BMW Group In America

BMW (US) Holding, Corp. is the shareholder of BMW of North America, LLC, which has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; DesignWorks/USA.Inc, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

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Woodcliff Lake, NJ – Aug. 21, 2023…Round 7 of 9 of MotoAmerica’s Superbike Race weekends took place at the newly configured 2.78-mile Pittsburgh International Race Complex in Wampum, PA. The Steel Commander Stock 1000 riders did not participate in this round, leaving the Medallia Superbike M 1000 and S 1000 riders to carry the BMW flag over three races. Cameron Beaubier regained his Saturday form and finished on the podium in Race 1. A collision with another rider during race 2 would put Beaubier out of the remaining two weekend races, however. PJ Jacobsen missed the podium in race 1 and race 3 but rode to a 2^nd place finish in race number 2.

Photo by Brian J. Nelson

Medallia Superbike Race 1 (Saturday)

 Tytlers Cycle Racing M 1000 RR teammates, Cameron Beaubier and PJ Jacobsen started the 17-lap race from 5^th and 6^th positions, respectively. By lap 3, Jacobsen and Beaubier had worked themselves into 4^th and 5^th, giving chase to the group of Yamahas ahead. On Lap 6, the teammates swapped positions when Beaubier passed Jacobsen to take over 4^th. Just a lap later, Beaubier took over 3^rd, followed soon after by 2^nd on lap 8. He would not be able to catch the race leading Yamaha however, and would finish 2^nd, putting some previously bad Saturday race luck behind him. PJ Jacobsen, who won his first Superbike race in round 6, finished 5^th.

Top 10 BMW finishers in Race 1 were:

2^nd      Cameron Beaubier    No. 6 Tytlers Cycle Racing

5^th       PJ Jacobsen             No. 99 Tytlers Cycle Racing

Medallia Superbike Race 2 (Sunday)

Tytlers Cycle Racing worked throughout the night to find a few tenths of a second per lap for each team BMW M 1000 RR leading up to race 2. PJ Jacobsen and Cameron Beaubier would start from row 2 for the second race of the weekend, in 5^th and 6^th respectively. A bad start left Beaubier in 10^th position, trying to work his way back to the front. PJ Jacobsen began the race in 5^th but soon after, on lap 3, a leading rider went off track, elevating Jacobsen to 4^th.

On lap 8, BMW S 1000 RR rider, Ashton Yates appeared to have a hesitation issue coming through the new chicane, causing Cameron Beaubier to ride up on Ashton’s rear tire, causing Cameron to crash and the race to be red flagged. 

The restart of race 2 had the riders re-grid in the position they were in when the red flag was waved. PJ Jacobsen had an excellent restart, grabbing 2^nd from his 3^rd place restart position. Jacobsen would finish the race in 2^nd, making it two podium finishes for Tytlers Cycle Racing, in the first two races of the weekend.

Top 10 BMW finishers in Race 2 were:

2^nd      PJ Jacobsen             No 99 Tytlers Cycle Racing

8^th       Corey Alexander       No. 23 Tytlers Cycle Racing

Medallia Superbike Race 3 (Sunday)

PJ Jacobsen would start race 3 from 5^th position, in the middle of row 2. His Tytlers Cycle Racing teammate Cameron Beaubier would not start after a hard crash in previous race. Jacobsen was part of a breakaway group of five riders, who were chasing the race leading Yamaha, all the while battling with each other for position. The group would not catch the race leader and Jacobsen would finish in 5^th place, putting himself ahead of Beaubier in season points.

Top 10 BMW finishers in Race 3 were:

5^th       PJ Jacobsen             No 99 Tytlers Cycle Racing

10^th     Nolan Lamkin           No. 21 Tom Wood Powersports

Standings After Round 7

In Medallia Superbikes season points, PJ Jacobsen now stands in 3^rd place with Cameron Beaubier in 4^th, Corey Alexander in 8^th and Ashton Yates in 10^th.

With no racing this past weekend, the Steel Commander Stock 1000 season points standings remain unchanged with Ezra Beaubier leading, Kaleb De Keyrel in 3^rd, Travis Wyman in 4^th and Nolan Lamkin in 5^th.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Twitter: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bmwmotorrad

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en.   

Olympia Fields, Ill. – August 20, 2023… BMW congratulates Viktor Hovland on winning the 2023 BMW Championship today at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. Hovland shot a course-record 61 in the final round of the tournament to earn his first FedExCup Playoff event win after finishing the week 17-under-par, winning the event by two strokes.

Despite entering Sunday three shots back, Hovland propelled himself to the top of a leaderboard that featured several major champions by making 10 birdies, including one on the 18^th hole. With the win, Hovland moved up to No. 2 in the FedExCup Playoff standings heading into the TOUR Championship next week at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta, Ga.

“To win the BMW Championship at a course like Olympia Fields against the world’s best players is a really incredible feeling,” said Hovland.

Ilka Horstmeier, BMW Group Member of the Board of Management, was joined by Western Golf Association Chairman Joe Desch, Tournament Chairman Mike Bruni, and Olympia Fields Country Club President, William McErlean to present Hovland with the BMW Championship and J.K. Wadley trophies.

“Congratulations to Viktor Hovland on his incredible performance, especially in the final round to win the 2023 BMW Championship,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate. “It has been a fantastic tournament week at a historic venue with great fans. Many thanks to the Olympia Fields Country Club, all our partners, volunteers and everyone involved. In addition to hosting a great tournament, the BMW Group is especially proud to know that the BMW Championship makes a difference in the lives of so many young people.”

Earlier in the week, Hovland met with Evans Scholar Diana Llamas of Chicago who was named the sixth BMW Hole-in-One Scholar as a result of his ace during the 2022 BMW Championship. Each year, BMW donates an additional full, four-year Evans Scholarship in the name of the first player to hit a hole in one during tournament play. The Evans Scholar Foundation awards full college tuition and housing scholarships for deserving caddies across the country.

Since 2007, the BMW Championship has raised more than $45 million in support of the Evans Scholars, helping more than 3,300 students achieve their dreams of attending college. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.

On Wednesday, the annual BMW Championship Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am kicked off tournament week. The field featured several celebrity guests including World Series champion and Cy Young winner CC Sabathia, former NFL Pro Bowl receiver and fashion icon Victor Cruz, and the No. 2 overall pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 NBA Draft and ESPN media personality Jay Williams. Evans Scholars and Alumni caddied for the groups, donating their tips back to the Program.

Hovland will defend his title next August when the BMW Championship heads to Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado. Future tournament venues include Caves Valley Golf Club in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2025, Bellerive Country Club, in St. Louis, Missouri in 2026 and Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2027.

For updates on the 2023 BMW Championship, follow the conversation with:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup, #LiveUnderPar

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $45 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 36,000 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

# # #

• Llamas receives a full, four-year Evans Scholarship as a result of Viktor Hovland’s hole-in-one at the 2022 BMW Championiship.

• Sixth BMW Hole-in-One Scholarship awarded since 2007.

Olympia Fields, IL – August 19, 2023… BMW of North America and the Western Golf Association announced today that Diana Llamas of Chicago has been named the newest BMW Hole-in-One Scholar. Llamas will receive a full, four-year Evans Scholarship worth more than $125,000 to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a result of Viktor Hovland’s ace during the final round of last year’s BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware.

Llamas, a caddie at Ridgemoor Country Club in Chicago, is the sixth recipient of a BMW Hole-in-One Scholarship, which awards a full tuition and housing grant to deserving young caddies in the name of the first player to record a hole-in-one during tournament play at the BMW Championship. She is a first-generation college student and the third member of her family to earn the Evans Scholarship, following her brothers Jose (Marquette) and Daniel (Northwestern).
“Being the third sibling to earn the Evans Scholarship means everything to my family. I’m so honored to be named the BMW Hole-in-One Scholar, and my brothers are so proud,” said Llamas, who plans to study environmental engineering.  “The endless opportunities that come along with being an Evans Scholar are incredible – especially this one to meet Viktor Hovland, who helped make this possible for me.”

Since 2007, the BMW Championshp has raised more than $45 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping more than 3,300 students attend college.

“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Western Golf Association, and of the great impact The BMW Championship makes in the lives of so many young scholars,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management for People and Places, BMW AG.  “BMW believes strongly in the role corporations play in supporting organizations like the Evans Scholars Foundation, which creates opportunities for young people to reach their full potential.”

Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.

Llamas attended the 2023 BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ilinois, on Saturday, Aug. 19, where she had the opportunity to meet Hovland and thank him in person. 
“We are so appreciative of our partner, BMW, and their dedicated support of our Evans Scholars throughout the years,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “Diana is a wonderful example of all the qualities that our Evans Scholars share – she is hard-working, committed and dedicated. We have no doubt she will make the most of this life-changing opportunity to attend college.”

Previous BMW Hole-in-One Scholarship recipients include:

• 2017: Brooklyn Gabriel (Jason Day at Conway Farms)
• 2015: Hayden Bauschka (Jordan Spieth at Conway Farms)
• 2013: Melyzjah Smith (Hunter Mahan at Conway Farms)
• 2012: Mark Abtahi (Steve Stricker at Crooked Stick)
• 2010: Haelena Schwemmer (Sean O’Hair at Cog Hill)

For updates during the 2023 BMW Championship, follow the conversation with:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup, #LiveUnderPar

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About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $45 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 33,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 11,800 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit wgaesf.org.

Olympia Fields, IL – August 15, 2023… The PGA TOUR, Western Golf Association (WGA) and BMW officials announced today that the 2027 BMW Championship will be played at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. While official dates have not been announced, the event is scheduled to be held in August 2027.

“We’re excited to bring the PGA TOUR’s best players back to Liberty National for the BMW Championship,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA Senior Vice President of Tournaments. “This course is no stranger to the thrill of the FedExCup Playoffs, and we know it will deliver an unmatched experience for the players and our fans.”

The 2027 event will mark the PGA TOUR’s return to Liberty National after hosting several world-class events, including The Presidents Cup in 2017 and THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2009, 2013, 2019 and 2021. Most recently, the club hosted the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open, its first LPGA Tour event.

One of several collaborations between U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite and renowned golf architect Bob Cupp who spent more than 15 years as the senior designer for Jack Nicklaus, Liberty National’s parkland links style layout was carefully crafted for championship golf while showcasing striking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan skyline.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Liberty National Golf Club to host the 2027 BMW Championship and FedExCup Playoffs,” said Paul Fireman, former CEO of Reebok and co-founder of Liberty National Golf Club. “Welcoming the world’s top players and passionate fans to Liberty National with the iconic New York City skyline as the backdrop promises to be an incredible event. We’ve been fortunate to host a range of high-profile events on a consistent basis, and we’re thrilled to be adding the BMW Championship and future WGA competitions to our stellar lineup of tournaments.”

“The mission of Liberty National Golf Club is to create an impeccable golfing experience and to grow the sport for future generations, and we’re thrilled about this long-term commitment to host BMW and Western Golf Association tournaments,” said Dan Fireman, co-Founder and president, Liberty National Golf Club. “We take great pride in supporting youth golfers and caddies, and this multi-year partnership extends to working closely with BMW and the WGA to create life-changing opportunities through the donation of Evans Scholars Foundation scholarships.”

This will be the BMW Championship’s first visit to New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area and the event’s fifth stop on the East Coast since 2018. This week, Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, is hosting the 2023 BMW Championship. The event heads to Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado, in 2024, and returns to Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, in 2025, and Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2026.

“BMW of North America has been headquartered in New Jersey for nearly 50 years, so to host the BMW Championship at home, in front of so many of our customers, associates and dealers, will be a big thrill for everyone,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America.  “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation, which has positively impacted the lives of thousands of young students.”

In addition to having an economic impact on the area of more than $30 million, the 2027 BMW Championship is expected to play a vital philanthropic role by introducing more golfers and fans in the region to the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) and its mission of awarding full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving youth caddies.

All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the ESF, and since 2007, the event has raised more than $45 million for Evans Scholarships. There are 1,130 Evans Scholars enrolled in 24 leading universities nationwide this year, including 10 students at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

“The BMW Championship at Liberty National Golf Club will give us an opportunity to show a new market the power of the Evans Scholars Program,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “This is an important step in our efforts as we continue to grow from coast to coast and reach more deserving young caddies.”

As part of an ongoing expansion plan, the Evans Scholars Program has grown rapidly in the East in recent years, establishing university partnerships with Rutgers University, the University of Maryland and Howard University. More than 40 Evans Scholars also reside at a Scholarship House at Penn State University. In 2022, the ESF established a long-term partnership with the New Jersey State Golf Association’s (NJSGA) Caddie Scholarship Foundation to promote and develop youth caddie opportunities at clubs in New Jersey and expand scholarship funding for caddies in the state.

“The NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation is thrilled to partner with the ESF to further increase scholarship opportunities for New Jersey caddies,” said Michael McFadden, President of the NJSGA and former NJSGA Caddie Scholarship recipient and Rutgers graduate. “The long-term collaboration, including a partnership with Rutgers University, provides the opportunity to transform lives of more young men and woman in New Jersey.”

The BMW Championship features the top 50 PGA TOUR players vying to earn one of 30 spots in the season-ending TOUR Championship and the chance to be crowned FedExCup champion. Past BMW Championship winners include Patrick Cantlay, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.

                                        # # #

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $45 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit bmwchampionship.com.

About Liberty National Golf Club

One of the world’s most iconic golf locales, Liberty National Golf Club is located along the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, with striking views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and Manhattan skyline. Liberty National fittingly opened on July 4, 2006, and is guided by the vision and leadership of former Reebok Founder, Chairman & CEO Paul Fireman and his son Dan Fireman, managing partner of Fireman Capital Partners. Designed by U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite and esteemed golf course mastermind Bob Cupp, Liberty National is kept in tournament ready playing condition. Liberty National hosted The Presidents Cup in 2017 as well as multiple PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoff events. For more information about Liberty National Golf Club, visit libertynationalgc.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 36,000 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,040 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.

About the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation

The NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation has been a paramount piece of the NJSGA since 1947. As it enters its 76th year, the CSF provides financial assistance to deserving New Jersey caddies pursuing higher education. Since its inception, the CSF has provided more than $18 million in college scholarship awards to over 3,400 caddies. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Foundation has provided 150 caddies with over $800,000 in scholarships. To learn more, visit www.njsga.org/caddie-scholarship.

• BMW Championship week begins on Wednesday, August 16^th with the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am, featuring World Series Champion and Cy Young Winner CC Sabathia, former NFL Pro Bowler and fashion icon Victor Cruz, and former Chicago Bull and ESPN media personality Jay Williams.

• The BMW Championship has raised more than $45 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation since 2007, sending more than 3,300 students to college.

• “Destination Recharge,” a designated vehicle display area, will showcase BMW’s growing line-up of fully electric vehicles including the BMW i4 Gran Coupe, BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, the flagship BMW i7 Sedan, and offer a preview of the first-ever BMW i5 Sedan which will arrive in showrooms later this year.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – August 14, 2023… The 2023 BMW Championship returns to the Chicago area this week as the top 50 players on the PGA TOUR compete in the penultimate event of the FedExCup Playoffs at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois. Two-time defending champion Patrick Cantlay will compete to become the event’s first-ever three-time winner since BMW became the title partner in 2007.

Cantlay will be joined in the field by a star-studded line-up of today’s best players including former BMW Championship winners Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, along with fellow major champions Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Wyndham Clark.

Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am.

The week’s activities begin with the annual BMW Championship Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am on Wednesday, August 16^th which is the largest annual fundraiser for the Evans Scholars Foundation. This year’s event will feature several celebrity guests including World Series champion and Cy Young winner CC Sabathia, former NFL Pro Bowl receiver and fashion icon Victor Cruz, and the No. 2 overall pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 NBA Draft and ESPN media personality Jay Williams. Evans Scholars and Alumni will caddie for the groups, donating their tips back to the Program.

Evans Scholars Foundation.

All proceeds from the 2023 BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, a charity which funds full college tuition and housing scholarships for deserving caddies across the country. Since 2007, the BMW Championshp has raised more than $45 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping more than 3,300 students achieve their dreams of attending college. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.

Hole-In-One Scholarship.

Once again, BMW will contribute a four-year Evans Scholarship, covering full college tuition and housing, in the name of the first PGA TOUR player to record a hole-in-one on any hole during tournament play. BMW has awarded six such Hole-In-One Scholarships, with the most recent coming after Viktor Hovland’s ace in the final round of the 2022 tournament. The recipient of that scholarship, Diana Llamas, will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Hovland and Llamas will have the opportunity to meet for the first time following his round on Saturday afternoon.

Hole-In-One Vehicle.

BMW will also continue its tradition of awarding a new car to the first player to hit a hole-in-one on a designated hole during tournament play, but this year there’s a bonus. The first player to ace the 16^th hole will win two all-new, fully electric BMW i5 Sedans – one for himself, and one for his caddie. Since all proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit deserving young caddies through the Evans Scholars Foundation, it’s only fitting that when a player wins a new car, so does his caddie.

Guest Experiences at Olympia Fields Country Club.

In addition to the competition, fans attending the BMW Championship will have access to a variety of interactive activities including:
BMW Owners’ Pavilion.

A BMW vehicle key or virtual key in the BMW app will unlock exclusive hospitality benefits at the BMW Championship, beginning with premium parking options upon arrival to Olympia Fields Country Club. BMW Owners and a guest will also receive access to the BMW Owners’ Pavilion with unparalled views of holes 13,15, and 16.

• The BMW Experience.

All attendees will be able to join BMW for a variety of activities in between the action on the golf course. Located behind the Olympia Fields Clubhouse, the BMW Experience will feature a driving range and putting challenge for fans, along with merchandise for purchase and local food truck offerings. A collection of BMW’s latest products, including the plug-in hybrid-electric BMW XM Sports Activity Vehicle and flagship BMW 7 Series Sedan will be on display.

• Electric Vehicle Showcase: “Destination Recharge”.

Located between the 10^th and 18^th holes, BMW’s Destination Recharge will offer guests an up-close look at the brand’s growing line-up of fully electric models including the BMW iX Sports Activity Vehicle, range-topping BMW i7 Sedan, and first-ever BMW i5 Sedan, which will arrive in dealerships later this year. BMW product experts will be on hand to speak about the fleet of Ultimate Electric Driving Machines and answer questions. The BMW Championship “Electric Moments” long putt challenge, where fans can attempt to recreate Jon Rahm’s stunning 66-footer for birdie during the first playoff hole of the 2020 BMW Championship, will round out the Destination Recharge experience.

• Enhanced Digital Access.

Guests will be able to download the BMW Championship Ultimate Experience Pass to check-in at a variety of activities while visiting Olympia Fields Country Club. The new and improved system will allow for a more streamlined registration process and reduced wait times. The platform can be easily accessed by scanning the QR code on event signage.

For updates during the 2023 BMW Championship, follow the conversation with:

• Facebook: facebook.com/BMWChampionship
• Twitter: @BMWchamps, @PGATOUR, @WGAESF
• Instagram: @BMWChamps, @PGATOUR, @BMWUSA
• Hashtags: #BMWChamps #BMWGolf #PGATOUR #FedExCup, #LiveUnderPar

# # #

About the BMW Championship

The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $45 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit bmwchampionship.com.

About the Western Golf Association

The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 33,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 11,800 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit wgaesf.org.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 25, 2023…This past weekend’s MotoAmerica races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta saw BMW Motorrad Motorsport M 1000 RR customer racing teams clinch two wins and six total podium finishes around the 2.55-mile track in the Superbike and Stock 1000 classes. Six BMW riders were entered in the Superbike class and nine riders competed in the Stock 1000 class.

Photo by Brian J Nelson

Medallia Superbike

In the Superbike class, five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion, Cameron Beaubier, on the No. 6 Tytlers Cycle Racing M 1000 RR, claimed the checkered flag in Race 1, marking the 55^th AMA Superbike win of his career. This win also delivered BMW’s first AMA Superbike win in 45 years, when Harry Klinzman and the R 90 S won in New Hampshire in 1978. Rounding out the top BMW finishers in Race 1 were Corey Alexander / Tytlers Cycle Racing (8^th place) and Nolan Lamkin / Tom Wood Powersports (12^th place).

In Race 2 of the Superbike class, Cameron Beaubier once again put it on the podium with an impressive 2^nd place, making it two podium finishes in a row for Tytlers Cycle Racing. PJ Jacobsen / Tytlers Cycle Racing (6^th), Corey Alexander / Tytlers Cycle Racing (7^th), Ashton Yates / Aftercare Scheibe Racing (9^th) and Nolan Lamkin / Tom Wood Powersports (15^th) rounded out the BMW finishers.

After the first two races of the season, Cameron Beaubier sits 2^nd in points in the Superbike class with Corey Alexander 6^th, followed by PJ Jacobsen 11^th, Ashton Yates 13^th and Nolan Lamkin 15^th.

Stock 1000

BMW M 1000 RR riders took two wins and four total podium finishes in the two Stock 1000 races of the weekend.

In Race 1, Ezra Beaubier, riding for Orange Cat Racing, took the win, followed closely by Travis Wyman of Travis Wyman Racing in 2^nd. Ezra’s Orange Cat teammate, Kaleb De Keyrel crossed the finish line 4^th.  Taylor Knapp / Taylor Knapp Racing (5^th), Nolan Lamkin / Tom Wood Racing (6^th), Jason Waters / Edge Racing (8^th), Alex Arango / Top Pro Motorsports (9^th) and Michael Henao / Hey Now Racing/On Any Moto (15^th) were the BMW finishers in the first race.

Race 2 saw Ezra Beaubier capture his 2^nd win of the weekend, joined by Taylor Knapp / Taylor Knapp Racing finishing 3^rd. BMW Motorrad Motorsport customer racing teams rounding out the field in Race 2 were Travis Wyman / Travis Wyman Racing (4^th), Kaleb De Keyrel / Orange Cat Racing (5^th), Nolan Lamkin / Tom wood Powersports (7^th), Jason Waters / Edge Racing (9^th) and Michael Henao / Hey Now Racing/On Any Moto (12^th).

In the Stock 1000 points standings, Ezra Beaubier leads the class in 1^st place with Travis Wyman 3^rd, Taylor Knapp 4^th, Kaleb De Keyrel 5^th, Nolan Lamkin 6^th and Jason Waters 8^th to round out your top 10.

The next event on the MotoAmerica schedule is Barber Motorsport Park, May 19-21.

BMW Group in America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The 349 BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

www.bmwgroup.com and www.bmwmotorcycles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

Twitter: www.facebook.com/BMWMotorradUSA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bmwmotorrad

Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com and https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en.   

Munich. When the BMW Junior Team had its initial meeting in Munich (GER) in December 2019 and then met up again soon after for the first training camp at Formula Medicine in Viareggio (ITA), there were high hopes for a repeat of the success story of the legendary 1977 training programme. Three years later, those hopes have become reality. Dan Harper (GBR), Max Hesse (GER) and Neil Verhagen (USA) have lived up to their predecessors and are a credit to their mentor Jochen Neerpasch, and, after intense training years, have officially become BMW M works drivers in 2023. They will remain as a team and continue to compete in race highlights such as the 24 Hours Nürburgring (GER) as BMW Junior Team, but their promotion to the works driver squad also gives the trio new opportunities.

Like in 2021 and 2022, Harper, Hesse and Verhagen will contest the iconic endurance race on the Nordschleife alongside BMW M Team RMG once again this season with the goal being a spot on the podium. The trio has enjoyed victory at the ‘Green Hell’ in both the BMW M6 GT3 and the BMW M4 GT3 in the past two years. They are even the youngest ever overall winners of an NLS race. The BMW Junior Team will also have joint appearances on tracks other than the Nürburgring again in 2023. Additionally, individual appearances as part of their works driver commitment are an option in the future. For example, Harper competed in the ‘Gulf 12 Hours’ in Abu Dhabi (UAE) for Century Motorsport in December 2022. Hesse will contest the 24 Hours of Dubai (UAE) this weekend, and Verhagen will race at Daytona (USA) in the new BMW M4 GT4 in the BMW M Endurance Challenge at the end of January. In addition to race appearances, Harper, Hesse and Verhagen will also be involved in plenty of testing in various racing cars. All three of the drivers have already been heavily involved in the development of the new BMW M4 GT4. In their role as BMW M works drivers, they will also have the opportunity to represent the brand at various events.

The trio has enjoyed intensive, varied training on their journey from talented youngsters to BMW M works drivers. Regular fitness and mental training camps with the experts at Formula Medicine were a key element. There has also been intensive collaboration with the BMW M Motorsport engineers, various BMW M Motorsport teams and experienced BMW M works drivers to improve their technical understanding of motorsport. The team-building aspect was just as important to those leading the programme. Harper, Hesse and Verhagen spent much of the past three years living together in a shared house at the Nürburgring, which saw them become a real unit away from the racetrack as well. Sporting highlights were the class win with the BMW M4 GT4 at the 24h Nürburgring in 2020, the overall wins in the NLS in 2021 and in the 24h Qualifiers in 2022, as well as strong performances in GT World Challenge Europe, including at the 24h Spa-Francorchamps (BEL) with ROWE Racing last year. The BMW Junior Team also took the BMW M Hybrid V8 prototype for a spin as part of testing.

Quotes on the BMW Junior Team:

Andreas Roos (Head of BMW M Motorsport): "Dan Harper, Max Hesse and Neil Verhagen are one of BMW M Motorsport’s biggest success stories in recent years. With their team spirit and their performances on the racetrack, they ensured that Jochen Neerpasch and the people in charge at the time were absolutely right to bring the legendary BMW Junior Team back. I think that the lads and everyone involved can be very proud of what they have achieved. I’m delighted to have three such young, talented drivers in our works driver squad. They are a perfect fit for what I believe to be our very good mix of youth and experience. I can’t wait to see how the BMW Junior Team’s journey progresses in 2023."

Jochen Neerpasch (Founder and Mentor of the BMW Junior Team): "Our Juniors have reached the first major milestone through intensive teamwork. They have joined the phalanx of BMW M Motorsport works drivers. But the team’s training continues. The goal is to help Max, Dan and Neil become a winning team in the major races in motorsport. My personal wish is to see the three of them celebrating on the top step of the podium at Le Mans. On the way they will continue to compete as BMW Junior Team in 2023, and gain experience."

Dirk Adorf (Mentor of the BMW Junior Team): "We have been on a journey with the BMW Junior Team that has been as exciting as it has been successful up to this point. The guys have worked their way through all the vehicle classes at the Nordschleife and, as the youngest GT3 race winners of all time, are now one of the very best teams. Our Juniors placed their trust in us at the start of the programme, not knowing what the future held. And BMW M Motorsport also placed their trust in them, fielding them in the top cars and top race series. After three years it is fair to say that the revival of the BMW Junior Team has been a real success. I’m excited to see how things progress in the coming years."

Dan Harper: "It has been a fantastic three years with the BMW Junior Team. Just taking part in this programme, and now my first official works driver contract, have been a dream come true for my family and me. There have been so many highlights during the training phase so far: the class win at the 24h Nürburgring, our trip to 24h Daytona, the battle for the podium at the 24h Spa-Francorchamps until just before the end, and the first outing in the BMW M Hybrid V8. I am very grateful for all these opportunities and hope that this is just the beginning of a long partnership."

Max Hesse: "Since sitting in a kart, my dream has been to make it as a works driver for a manufacturer. It’s fantastic to have now achieved that goal. I can only thank all those in charge at BMW M Motorsport and Jochen Neerpasch for selecting Dan, Neil and me for this fantastic programme. I believe it was a brilliant selection because the three of us have got on really well on a personal level throughout. Whether on the racetrack, at the fitness camps or at our home, we have worked together terrifically as a team and have formed a very close personal bond. I’m very grateful to Dan and Neil for this. There has never been any egoism or internal competition. We have always pulled together. Which made us strong and obviously convinced BMW M Motorsport that we have what it takes to be works drivers. Hopefully we will be able to continue this successful collaboration for many years to come."

Neil Verhagen: "I have learned an incredible amount these past three years. It was a privilege to work alongside experienced teams. I can’t thank BMW M Motorsport, in particular Jochen Neerpasch, Dirk Adorf and Sven Bluszcz, enough for their trust and their support. I think that Dan, Max and I have proved what we are capable of, and have now been rewarded for this with the works contracts. I always dreamed of being able to make a career out of my passion. Now I have achieved this major goal. I’m really looking forward to my racing programme in the coming years."

Barcelona. BMW Motorrad Motorsport continued is preparations for the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship with two days of testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (ESP). The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team again had a comprehensive test schedule and evaluated numerous new components and set-up solutions for the BMW M 1000 RR. The weather was mainly dry with some rain only on the afternoon of the second day.

At Scott Redding’s (GBR) side, BMW Motorrad factory rider Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) stood in for injured Michael van der Mark (NED) in the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Together with the two Bonovo action BMW Racing Team riders, Eugene Laverty (IRL) and Loris Baz (FRA), they worked, among other things, on rims, wiring loom and electronics and tested several chassis components.

The next test is scheduled for 4th and 5th April at MotorLand Aragón (ESP). The same venue will host the 2022 WorldSBK season opener from 8th to 10th April.

Quotes after the Barcelona test.

Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Ilya did a solid job. He worked through several test items for us and got used to the Superbike. He completed many kilometres and we made good progress with him. In the end, he was the second-fastest BMW rider in the dry. Michael’s surgery was successful but we don’t know yet when he can ride again. In case he can’t, Ilya would be a potential substitute for the season opener. On Scott’s side, the test went partly positively, partly we have still some work to do. We confirmed the engine with all riders as a positive step. We also were strong in regards to top speed but we clearly lose in sectors two and four, especially when accelerating out of the fast corners. Here we definitely still have to work on our package, in combination with set-up and traction control. We were able to go through a lot of test items also with the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team. Loris unfortunately had a crash that cost him a lot of time. In addition, we had some minor technical issues here and there, but that’s the purpose of the tests, to identify them at an early stage. Those were topics we can well react on. In general, we are happy but we still have to work on the pace to close up to the top.”

Scott Redding, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “It was good to have two days of testing here in Barcelona. We have made some improvements with the bike and the electronics which is important for me and the team. Then we had to try a few test items, tried the different tyres to get a feeling, tried again the electronics. We worked a lot and we did make some improvements which is good. But the goal post is always moving. You close the gap to the first one and then someone goes faster again. But we have to look at our situation, what we are doing and how we are improving. That’s where we need to focus. Then we had some rain in the afternoon of the second day which was interesting. It was good for me to get on the wet track and just get the feeling. It’s not too different to how it was in the past. I felt quite good. We need to do a bit more with the set-up and stuff but the temperature dropped quite a lot so we decided to test some other parts, practice starts a bit more because I haven’t done many starts on this bike and then we improved which was good. We also tried some other things for the conditions. In general, we did quite a lot but we still have more to do. We are moving on to Aragón, and I think we have some more things that we need to confirm there.”

Ilya Mikhalchik, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “First of all I want to say a big thank you to BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the team for giving me this opportunity, and secondly a speedy recovery and a get well soon to Michael. I hope he can back on his bike soon. I am happy to be here and for sure, the World Superbike is completely different. You need to know how to work on this bike to go fast. We got this feeling more with every lap we did. Lap by lap I felt where we should go and this brought me more speed and more fun on the bike. Hopefully we can continue in the same way and soon I will get more confidence and will be faster on the bike. Barcelona was a new track for me and it was a kind of a new bike, but I enjoyed it and really felt like home. At the next test at Aragón, we know each other already, I am acquainted to the bike so I think this will be a small advantage for me there and our work will be even better than here.”

Eugene Laverty, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “Especially the first day was really good. We continued our progress from Misano day two in the same direction. We improved the braking again and in the afternoon we worked a lot on electronic strategies to help because this asphalt is usually slippery so it was a big chance to work on power reduction and traction control to improve that for the 20-lap races. We made good lap times. Still it’s too far to the top, we need to reduce this, but I am happy with the way the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team is working and it was positive.”

Loris Baz, Bonovo action BMW Racing Team: “Yesterday morning, we did a quite a good job. At the beginning, I did not have the feeling I wanted with the bike. We improved this, I was pretty fast, but then I made a small mistake and crashed in an in-lap. That was basically the end of our test because we were not able to re-start after the crash yesterday. This morning we had some issues due to the crash I guess. We did in and out-laps trying to find the problem today. It is frustrating but for sure it is better to happen here than at Aragón. Before the crash we were pretty fast, not as fast as we want for sure, but on a track where the grip is so low, I think that’s our weakest point at the moment and we need to improve in these kinds of conditions. It has not been a productive test like Jerez or Misano but sometimes this happens. I am looking forward to Aragón now.”