BMW files Touring Cup entry

BMW Signs On as SPEED TC Manufacturer Sponsor

TOPEKA, Kan. (March 6, 2009) -- WC Vision has announced that BMW of North America will join the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Manufacturers' Championship Presented by RACER Magazine in 2009.

Winner of three SPEED Touring Car Manufacturers' Championships, the last being in 2004, BMW has officially declared entry into the 2009 Championship hunt, joining fellow World Challenge Touring Car competitors American Honda, Mazda North America and Volkswagen of America, Inc.

"BMW is happy to be back as a SPEED World Challenge sponsor to support BMW drivers in the very competitive Touring Car class," said Larry Koch, M Brand Manager for BMW of North America, LLC. "World Challenge racing is always exciting and gives BMW a wonderful stage to showcase the strengths of the 3 Series platform."

Last year James Clay scored BMW's 49th World Challenge victory, putting the marque in third place for all-time World Challenge manufacturer class wins.

"World ChallengeTouring Car, one of the most relevant racing programs today for manufacturers, did not go unnoticed this year by BMW," WC Vision VP of Marketing and Communications Dave Drimmie said. "Having participated in the past, BMW made the decision to again be involved with the series and go head-to-head against defending Champion Acura and 2007 Champion Mazda."

BMW 3 Series models eligible for SPEED World Challenge competition are the 325i and 325Ci (E46), 325i (E90) and 330i (E90).

The 2009World ChallengeTouring Car Championship begins in two-week's time, March 18 -- 20, at the Toyo Tires SPEED World Challenge Season Opener at Sebring. Fans can follow the SPEED Touring Car Manufacturers' Championship all season at www.world-challenge.com.

WC Vision LLC

A Limited Liability Company formed in July of 2008 for the purpose of elevating the stature and marketability of the World Challenge series. The equal share investment group comes from within the World Challenge paddock.

SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Championships

Consisting of two separate categories that race independently (GT and Touring Car), the World Challenge Championships are America's top production car-based series. The World Challenge is the most relevant showcase for the world's leading auto brands and makers of performance parts. Series events are a maximum of 50 minutes in length, feature standing starts and showcase cars from the world's leading manufacturers racing head-to-head. For more information see www.world-challenge.com.

-credit: scca pro racing