Two Equal Partners, One Team: BMW ORACLE Racing

Sailing Team Unveils New Look for 2007 America's Cup Campaign

MUNICH, Germany, May 26 -- In preparation for the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia, BMW and ORACLE Racing have announced a new campaign under the name of BMW ORACLE Racing. In 2003, the team as ORACLE BMW Racing had a strong debut as a finalist in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the Challenger races for the America's Cup. The renaming to BMW ORACLE Racing, effective immediately, reflects a new team and a more significant role of BMW in the campaign. Under the new contract signed last month, the German premium car brand increased its commitment by contributing more technical know-how, marketing expertise and financial support to the international professional sailing team.

On the technology front, four engineers from the team of Professor Dr. Raymond Freymann, Managing Director BMW Group Research and Technology, will be integrated permanently into the BMW ORACLE Racing design team. "The cooperation with BMW enables us to benefit from technological innovations in the automobile sector", says Team CEO Chris Dickson. "One decisive factor in boat design, for example, is the durability of the individual parts. Thanks to BMW we can assure that the full potential of the individual boat components is tapped, while at the same time improving the quality in terms of robustness. The BMW engineers will perform simulation and optimisation of the sailing yacht to a level not employed in yacht design previously. This will result in a yacht that is lighter, stronger and faster."

Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, explains the new partnership: "Within our international sports portfolio, the Formula 1 is a supporting pillar and BMW together with WilliamsF1 make up a strong team. In both disciplines we want to bring in particularly our specific technological competence. Analogous to the name BMW WilliamsF1 Team, the team made clear the more significant involvement of BMW in the new America's Cup campaign by renaming the sailing team BMW ORACLE Racing. At the same time we take into account the even more professional orientation of the America's Cup and the new organizational challenges."

For the first time, BMW ORACLE Racing will present the new team identity at the UBS Trophy in Newport, RI, USA 19-26 June when the team competes against America's Cup champion Alinghi.

Internet: http://www.bmworacleracing.com/