New Commitment: MINI supports Red Nose Day - First fundraising campaign for children's benefit during the MINI CHALLENGE at the Nürburgring

Munich. Joint start for valuable donations: MINI supports broadcast
station ProSieben in 2006 at the Red Nose Day, a fund raising campaign
benefiting the needs of children. The official kick- off for this
cooperation is taking place at the MINI CHALLENGE on the 13th and 14th
of August at the Nürburgring. The actress Eve Scheer will
participate as guest pilot in this race serving this great cause: Her
210 horsepower MINI COOPER S will be adorned by the colours and the logo
of the Red Nose Day. In addition Red Noses will be for sale in the
paddock and at the entrances to the grandstands. Along the race track
donation opportunities will be made available to encourage the visitors
to support the selected children's aid organisation. Further funds
shall be raised during MINI's great summer-event "Let's MINI"
on the 21st and 22nd of August at Berlin's Loreley. Red Nose Day In
2003 TV broadcaster ProSieben and Prime Productions brought the comedy
charity event to Germany for the first time. Since then nationwide
thousands of people took part in this comical project benefiting needy
children in Germany and on a global scale. Funds are raised through the
sale of red noses - symbolizing the Red Nose Day - and many other
projects supporting children's aid organizations such as the
"Kindernothilfe", "Children for a better World" and
"Off-Road-Kids". More than 6.8 Million Euro were collected by
now. The charity originated in the UK where it now represents a
traditional event: In 1985 prominent celebrities established the
non-profit organization "Comic Relief". By now the foundation
presents the UK's largest charity organization. The Red Nose Day
TV-Show is broadcasted by BBC and supported by artists such as Robbie
Williams, Johnny Depp and Elton John. MINI CHALLENGE 2004 marked the
start of the innovative club-sport series MINI CHALLENGE. This is an
event-concept where race weekends are organized combining professionally
structured club sports with attractive lifestyle events. During eight
race weekends there are 13 individual races presenting up to 38 cars
taking place on reputable race tracks such as the Nürburgring, the
Hockenheimring, and Spa-Francorchamps. The pilots are often racing
beginners and non-professionals. Doing justice to this enormous
responsibility, security was the top priority when developing the
vehicles. Numerous celebrities from the fields of sports and
entertainment participate as guest pilots during the MINI CHALLENGE
taking this unique chance to experience this breath taking atmosphere
from the cockpit's perspective. Support for Children MINI's commitment
to the Red Nose Day is part of an extensive series within the BMW
Group's socio-political projects. Global support of children and young
persons represents the focus of this commitment.