BMW Gears Up for 2004 Lime Rock Vintage Festival

Press Release

Celebrates 75th Anniversary of BMW Automobiles

Presenting sponsor BMW of North America, LLC is ready to host a variety of special events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of BMW automobiles at the 2004 Rolex Vintage Festival at Connecticut's Lime Rock Park this weekend, September 3-6.

BMW has always ensured popular exhibits both on and off the 1.53-mile Lime Rock Park circuit, but this year fans are guaranteed a special weekend. In addition to the racing and exhibits this year's Rolex Vintage Festival will honor Bobby Rahal as its featured guest. One of America's favorite sons, 1986 Indy 500 winner and three-time CART champion has a longtime connection to BMW. Early in his career Bobby raced a BMW CSL and, for a short time, the BMW GTP. Today his son Graham races in the Formula BMW USA series.

In its third year as presenting sponsor, BMW will pay homage to its heritage of coupes with a collection of coupes ranging from the winner of the 1940 Mille Miglia through the iconic CSLs and 2002s of the 1970s to 2004's newest 6 Series. A large number of BMW's most significant two-door machines will be displayed on Lime Rock's grounds.

The BMW Vintage and Classic Car Club will conduct the BMW Vintage Marathon, a vintage road rally which begins at Lime Rock during the Festival. Participants will spend two weeks traveling up and down the East Coast finishing at BMW's Spartanburg, SC assembly plant. More than 50 vintage BMW cars owned by club members are expected to participate, including at least 20 entries from Europe. Models include the 327 and 328 from the 1930s, the 507 and Isetta from the 1950s and CS coupes and 2002's from the 1960's. Festival participants will get to these vehicles at Lime Rock.

On the track, BMW will participate in both track demonstrations and racing with the 1970s IMSA 3.0CSL coupes that made BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS famous in the U.S. "We are really excited that we can organize a reunion of these coupes on a race track where they competed in their day," says Larry Koch, Advocate - BMW Mobile Tradition USA.

BMW Group activities will, of course, not be limited to BMW automobiles. Displays and activities will highlight BMW's 80-plus years of motorcycle heritage. MINI's rich heritage will also be featured. The centennial of the most revered name in automotive history, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, will be celebrated.

In its third decade as one of the foremost events of its kind in the country, the Rolex Vintage Festival showcases unparalleled vintage and historic racing, a remarkable Elite Concours and special exhibits, demonstrations and functions that make each day an extraordinary experience.

On Friday, Saturday and Monday of Labor Day weekend, more than 200 racing cars representing more than six decades of racing action from pre-war machines to the exotic sports cars of the 1960s and early 1970s will compete on the challenging Lime Rock circuit.

On Sunday, automobile lovers of all ages can enjoy a combination of car shows that display a diverse mix of vintage and modern classics in one of the largest gathering of fine automobiles of the concours season.