MINI supports the Life Ball in Vienna for the 12th time.
Since its market launch in 2001, MINI has been a regular partner of the Life Ball. In previous years numerous celebrities have left their stylistic imprint on an exclusive MINI model, among them the design team DSQUARED2, star photographer Mario Testino and designer Angela Missoni. “And thanks to the visual signature of Franca Sozzani, the this year’s MINI designed specially for the occasion has similarly become a lifestyle and design highlight in the name of this good cause,” says a delighted Gery Keszler, founder and organiser of the Life Ball. As such this one-off model fits in perfectly with a further highlight of the event – the Fashion Show presented by MINI, staged this time round by VOGUE Italy. The show for this anniversary year stoked up particularly keen anticipation after Keszler announced a 20-year retrospective of fashion history. Cue for top models of our time – including Eva Padberg, Tatjana Patitz and Karolina Kurkova – to revive some legendary looks from the past. The many fashion and lifestyle personalities attending were thus able to witness the comeback of Thierry Mugler’s almost forgotten robotic look and the famous train dress that Jean Paul Gaultier designed for Dagmar Koller. Alongside representatives of leading fashion labels such as Diesel, Missoni, Gianfranco Ferré, Heatherette, Philip Treacy, Moschino and Paco Rabanne, politicians including ex-US President Bill Clinton as well as numerous film and television stars made sure they did not miss out on the AIDS charity event of the year 2012.

The social commitment of the BMW Group.
Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company’s involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield. The carmaker is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China. Membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its various locations.

A much broader spread of MINIMALISM technology helps enhance the efficiency of the John Cooper Works models, and all members of the MINI lineup with a John Cooper Works powertrain can now be fitted with an optional six-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman comes with MINI’s innovative ALL4 all-wheel-drive system as standard.

New-generation engine for the John Cooper Works models offers instantaneous power delivery and a restrained appetite for fuel.
An outstanding baseline concept and a constant flow of innovation provide the basis for sustained success in the world of racing and beyond. A rigorously applied strategy of continuous development has also given the road-spec John Cooper Works models a decisive edge in each of their respective segments. Expertise refined over years of motorsport involvement has ensured ultra-sporty driving fun by perfecting the interplay of a powerful engine, advanced chassis technology, and bespoke exterior and interior design elements. And so, the John Cooper Works models are poised to embark on the new season stronger than ever and with fresh power under the bonnet.

The family of elite athletes in the MINI ranks welcomes another new member in the shape of the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman.The five-door model is fitted with a particularly powerful variant of the new-generation engine. Its 208 hp (U.S. market) is channeled through an all-wheel-drive system to deliver a new take on outstanding performance that can be enjoyed not only on the road but also over rough terrain. Peak torque of 207 lb-ft is available between 1,900 and 5,600 rpm, and the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman dashes from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds – regardless of whether the power flows through the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional six-speed automatic, and the top speed is 127 mph. US figures for EPA estimated fuel consumption are not yet available, but the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of boasted impressive figures: 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.9 l/100 km).

The new-generation John Cooper Works engine can also be found in the MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop, MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, MINI John Cooper Works Coupe and MINI John Cooper Works Roadster. The powerplant is based on the unit in the MINI Cooper S and likewise uses a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and beginning in the 2013 model year, it will have variable valve control based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC system. This throttle-free load control technology optimizes both the responsiveness of the engine and its efficiency; lightning-fast reactions to the driver’s requests for power go hand-in-hand with a restrained appetite for fuel.

The technical make-up of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine – which sports a John Cooper Works logo on its cover – has a direct link to the development of race-trim engines and has been honed exclusively for the John Cooper Works models. Its cylinder block and bearing mounts are made from aluminum and join forces with reinforced pistons, a particularly high-strength cylinder head and low-weight camshafts. The exhaust valves are sodium-filled to help provide the extra cooling required by a turbocharged engine, and the intake camshaft features infinite phase adjustment.

The turbocharger, meanwhile, develops even greater charge pressure than the engine in the MINI Cooper S. The likewise bespoke exhaust system can be identified from the outside by its polished stainless steel twin tailpipes.

The engine produces its maximum output of 208 hp at 6,000 rpm, while peak torque of 192 lb-ft is on tap between 1,850 and 5,600 rpm. The overboost function allows this figure to be raised to 207 lb-ft for a short time between 2,000 and 5,200 rpm.

The new engine links up as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox tuned to suit its performance characteristics. However, all of the John Cooper Works models can now also be ordered with an optional six-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic function. The automatic also allows the driver to change gears manually using either the selector lever or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

In addition to the overall effort to increase efficiency of the engine itself, the electric power steering also does its bit to reduce fuel consumption, with its electric motor only using energy when power assistance is actually needed. It is an array of innovations like this that have optimized the balance between driving fun and fuel consumption displayed by all the John Cooper Works models. Indeed, fuel consumption in the EU test cycle has been cut by up to 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers, depending on the model.

2013 MINI John Cooper Works Lineup Performance Specifications
The 2013 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop will race from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds (automatic: 6.4 sec) on the way to a top speed of 148 mph (automatic: 147 mph). Its average fuel consumption comes in at 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.1 l/100 km).

The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman also blends imposing acceleration – 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (automatic: 6.7 sec) – and a top speed of 148 mph (automatic: 147 mph. Its average fuel consumption comes in at 6.7 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.2 l/100 km).

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible sprints from rest to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds (automatic: 6.8 sec) and reaches a top speed of 146 mph (automatic: 145 mph). Its average fuel consumption comes in at 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.2 l/100 km).

A 0 to 60 mph time of 6.1 seconds (automatic: 6.3 sec) makes the MINI John Cooper Works Coupe the fasting-accelerating of these elite athletes, and it also boasts a top speed of 149 mph (automatic: 148 mph). This outstanding sporting potency belies average fuel consumption of 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.1 l/100 km).

The MINI John Cooper Works Roadster reaches 60 mph from rest in 6.3 seconds (automatic: 6.5 sec) and continues on to a top speed of 147 mph (automatic: 146 mph). Its average fuel consumption comes in at 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers (automatic: 7.3 l/100 km).

Racing feeling and unmistakable style.
All John Cooper Works models combine their stand-out sporting potential with unmistakable looks and special equipment features which accentuate the feeling of race competition both inside the car and out. Standard specification includes the Sport Button (which allows the driver to tweak the car’s accelerator responses and steering characteristics), particularly powerful brakes, the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system including DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) for the driven axle, plus bespoke 17-inch light-alloy wheels (MINI John Cooper Works Countryman: 18-inch) and runflat tires.

The likewise standard John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit optimizes both the airflow over and around the cars, as well as their visual impact. Exclusive paint finishes and roof colors, plus an ultra-sporty interior ambience with special seat upholstery variants and interior trim elements, add further bespoke touches. Customers can now order Striped Alloy and Pepper White interior trim elements, for example. And the standard-fitted sports steering wheel now features a John Cooper Works logo in the lower section of the center spoke.

The John Cooper name has embodied the successful relationship between the British small car and sporting competition for several decades. It was back in the 1960s that the legendary sports car designer hit upon the idea of injecting a fresh dose of enjoyment into everyday road driving, and extra-potent variants of the classic MINI soon carried his name. Today, the MINI sub-brand, John Cooper Works, represents the epitome of race-track feeling and stand-out performance. The six elite athletes that make up the John Cooper Works range, along with options and accessories designed to enhance the agility of any MINI and lend all variants of the car a more defined sporting character, create a powerful advertisement for the brand’s motor sport genes.

MINI Canada announced today that it will support MINI motorsports competitors across the country through all-new contingency programs. Canadian racers racing a MINI in the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC), including the all-new B-Spec class, and MINI entrants in the 2012 Targa Newfoundland will have the opportunity to win cash prizes.
“MINI’s motorsport heritage is impressive and has been part of the brand’s DNA since the 60’s – with wins in big events such as the Rally Monte Carlo, Targa Newfoundland and most recently the Dakar Rally, as well as track racing in MINI CHALLENGE events in Europe and the CTCC. We want to recognize and foster the passion and success for MINI motorsport in Canada and continue building that legacy,” said Adam Shaver, Director of MINI Canada. “To show our support, we have launched a significant contingency program in Canada for 2012.”

For the Canadian Touring Car Championship, MINI Canada will pay contingency awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each points-paying race in the Championship. Additionally, MINI Canada will reward championship-winning drivers in the Touringand B-Spec classes during the 2012 CTCC season.

The contingency payout structure will reward first, second- and third-place finishers in each race in the Touring class, as follows:

Payout
1st Place $ 1,000
2nd Place $ 750
3rd Place $ 500

Touring Class Championship Bonus: $ 5,000

In the all-new B-Spec class, the contingency payout structure will reward first, second- and third-place finishers in each raceas follows:

Payout
1st Place $ 500
2nd Place $ 300
3rd Place $ 150

B-spec Driver Championship Bonus: $ 3,000

“MINIs are one of the mostpopular cars with CTCC fans and they are always very competitive,” states John Bondar, President of Canadian Touring Car Championship. “I am proud to welcome MINI Canada as a contingency partner of CTCC and look forward to seeing more MINIs on the podium in 2012.”

In addition, MINI Canada is pleased to include Targa Newfoundland in this program, recognizing its 10 year history in Targa competition and the many MINIs participating in this exciting and exacting rally:

Payout
1st Place in Open Class $ 3,000
1st Place in Modern Class $ 3,000
1st Place in Grand Touring Class $ 3,000

MINI Competitors in these series can access detailed information on the MINI Contingency Award Program by contacting: MINIMotorsport@MINI.ca.

BMW Group in Canada
BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 44 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 29 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

Iggy Pop and Gossip rocked the stage.
Motor sport buffs and design aficionados were joined at the largest get-together of the MINI Community by enthusiastic followers of the international music scene. Which was no surprise given that some of the world’s hottest stars were on the bill. On Friday, for example, rock legend Iggy Pop had the stage buzzing to the sounds of his band Iggy and the Stooges, before Paris-based house DJ Martin Solveig whipped the crowd into a dancing throng with his infectious club repertoire. That was followed on Saturday by a line-up including the punchy punk-pop of Grammy award-nominated duo The Ting Tings. And a sensational set from Gossip reminded us why front woman-cum-fashion icon Beth Ditto has been anointed the “Coolest Woman on the Planet”.

Record numbers set up a feast of the spectacular.
Records were being broken as well as played in Le Castellet, as the number of enthusiasts from around the world attending the previous MINI United at Silverstone, Great Britain (25,000) was bettered once again this year. 30,000 fans took over the Circuit Paul Ricard during the three days. The majority did the honourable thing by turning up in their own MINI, some even driving 6,490 km (4,032 miles) from the outer reaches of Russia to France. There, they mingled with fellow MINI devotees from the USA, Japan and Canada, who had also etched the event into their calendars. This unique gathering of MINI models ensured that the MINI Club Area, in which 24 MINI clubs from around the world were represented, the already legendary stage for ultra-spectacularly styled cars a.k.a. Beauty Parking, and a line-up of the full MINI product family were an even greater attraction than ever for the MINI fans.

Just a block away from the Kodak and Chinese Theatres, MINI promises ‘Live and Exotic Topless Thrills 24/7’ at the MINI Roadster Peepshow Spectacular. MINI has taken over a corner store on Hollywood Blvd and masked all the windows for a 25-day long series of fleeting, revealing shows where passers-by are encouraged to take a “peep”.

Each show will be triggered whenever a passing spectator presses one of the ‘peep’ buttons on the display, rolling back a window blind and unveiling the MINI Roadster as it rotates slowly on a turntable, complete with a disco ball above, music and smoke. Adding authentic atmosphere to the MINI Roadster Peepshow Spectacular, colored neon lighting has been placed throughout the Peepshow to illuminate the Roadster even more.

Passers-by in this pedestrian-friendly area will be lured to the Roadster Peepshow by storefront signage with racy messages such as: “Bada Bing, Bada Boom”, “Open 24 Hours” and the simple, tempting command to “Peep Here.”

“The new MINI Roadster is a devilishly fast, uncompromising two-seater soft-top with the soul of a sports car and the heart of a MINI,” comments Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “Our Peepshow reveal in this prime Los Angeles location sets the scene perfectly for our latest model which delivers more fun than one person can handle with its exhilarating ride and unlimited headroom.”

The MINI Roadster Peepshow Spectacular is surrounded by hot nightlife spots including MyHouse, Teddy’s, Tropicana Bar, Mood LA, East Lounge, Supper Club, Roxbury and Rolling Stone LA. For a free ‘peep’ at the new MINI Roadster, fans in the Los Angeles area should visit 7046 Hollywood Blvd @ N Sycamore Ave before April 22.

Designed to bring MINI ownership to people who regard the 70 percent of the earth’s surface covered by water as their home, the new MINI Cooper Yachtsman is a corner-carving crustacean that promises go-kart-like handling and a sensational combination of amphibious* and landphibious performance both on and off the water.

Certain to be as popular in New York harbor as it will be at the Jumeira Palm marina or Monte Carlo harbor, the MINI Cooper Yachtsman is fitted with a shark-resistant undercoating as standard, and can carve through water at speeds up to 61 knots, while promising an equally rewarding driving (but not diving…) experience – on-road or off-land.

“Our exciting MINI Cooper Yachtsman is the ultimate extension of the MINI brand, expanding our line-up to seven models in the USA and offering consumers even more ways to enjoy MINI ownership in a manner best-suited to their individual taste and location,” comments Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA.

“The Yachtsman will become an instant status symbol, a car/boat combo that evokes ‘land/sea envy’ in equal measure. Originally endorsed by the British Royal Navy**, the Yachtsman brings a new level of versatility to MINI ownership. So, if you’re cruising along and someone yells ’Lake’ – no worries. Simply downshift, grab a life-vest, hit the water and let Yachtsman take care of the rest!” adds McDowell.

Showroom appeal of the MINI Cooper Yachtsman is matched by dockside allure as the 169.8 inch long craft sports Reef Blue metallic paintwork contrasting with silver alloy wheels and matching silver rudder. The exhaust snorkel is finished in body color and the extendable rooftop antenna comes with a ‘get-you-home’ 20-ft white sail (in case of emergency) which can be deployed for zero-emissions sailing.

With room to sleep two people, the cabin features waterproof rip-stop upholstery, seat cushions which double as flotation devices, and a Marine Chronometer for celestial navigation in the event of a sat-nav glitch. For junior ‘sailors’, the glove box holds MINI-branded water wings, a pirate flag and eye patch.

Standard equipment features a six-foot marlin rod with roller guides, an international trolling reel with 130-lb test line and (on the port side) the latest MINI safety technology – FLOAT (the Frantic Lever Operated Active Trim) adjuster. On the starboard side there is a spring-loaded herring chucker.

In line with MINI’s customizable nature, a full range of unique accessories for this latest addition to the MINI product line-up includes a Customizable Klaxon (choice of sea lion, porpoise, sperm whale, dolphin, seagull or mallard duck), and personalized Under-Hull Messaging – recommended factory fitted graphic options such as ‘Suck eggs, Kraken’ and ‘Mermaid Magnet’ are sure to be popular choices.

On sale from April 1st as a model year 2013 vehicle, the Yachtsman combines typical MINI driving and boating fun with the same discerning craftsmanship, select materials, styling and all-round ‘typical British understatement’ that are hallmarks of the world’s leading boat builders.

For propulsion, each MINI Cooper Yachtsman is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and variable valve control to generate 181 hp. Outdrive to the constant-pitch propeller is managed by a specially-fitted gearbox mounted mid-ship with six forward speeds. Although the new model weighs 4,600 lb (fully laden), the sprint from 0 to 60 mph is completed in 6.6 seconds (on land) and in 2.4 minutes (on water). Top speed (on land) is 141 mph.

Developed after extensive testing of punt prototypes on the River Isis (near MINI’s manufacturing facility in Oxford, England) and in the deep waters off Greenland (where The Kraken of legend lurks), the MINI Cooper Yachtsman is priced at US $236,000 and comes with a fully incomprehensible warranty that includes 3-year no-cost moorage, annual dry-docking and free barnacle removal, for the original captain.

You can see the MINI Cooper Yachtsman on the MINI Stand at the New York International Auto Show in the Jacob Javits Center from Wednesday April 4th.

Editors’ Notes
*The Yachtsman is not the first amphibious Mini. The book ‘MINI MISCELLANY – Fifty Years of facts, figures, stories and oddities featuring the world’s greatest little car’ carried this interesting tale…

“Bizarre as it may sound, a Mini entered the 1977 River Severn Raft Race. Longbridge engineers converted a standard Mini into an unsinkable four-paddle-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle which they christened ‘Aqua Min’. However, it was not the first Mini to swim. Nine years earlier, an amphibious Moke swam in the River Thames for the Sammy Davis Jr. film Salt and Pepper. Since the movie was a James Bond spoof, it was only right that the Moke should have machine guns fitted behind the headlights.”

**And subsequently unendorsed.

For MINI enthusiasts the world over MINI United has always been the festival of choice. And this year it will also be the first date in the diary for those of us powered by the music vibe. Indeed, with the official unveiling of the MINI United line-up it’s clear MINI aficionados won’t be the only ones to have their appetites fully satisfied; festival-goers from around the world will also be purring at the prospect of seeing their national and international music heroes perform live.

Confirmed line-up for MINI United 2012:

Friday, 11 May:
Iggy and the Stooges, Martin Solveig, Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine, The Rifles, Naive New Beaters

Saturday, 12 May:
Gossip, The Ting Tings, Ben Mazué, SOMA, Charlie Winston, Birdy Nam Nam

Some 25,000 fans from more than 40 nations flocked to Silverstone in England for the MINI United festival in 2009 to celebrate not only the third Community catch-up but also the 50th anniversary of the brand’s founding.

Indeed, the event programme is richer in depth and variety than ever before. As well as live appearances by leading lights of the international music and DJ scene, it goes without saying that the MINI product family will also be taking to the stage in all its glory. The MINI John Cooper Works models will feel particularly at home in an arena where so much Formula One history has been written. Motor sport buffs will be in for a treat as the drivers do battle in a string of races in various MINI series, and the exclusive presentation of a new MINI model adds another highlight to the schedule. Last but not least, an array of fun sporting activities, stunt shows and an exhibition of exceptional Classic Mini cars ensure an attractive blend of al fresco party and car-based MINI action in every shape and form.

An extensive entertainment programme for younger MINI fans is guaranteed, as are a broad spread of culinary treats. Other essential features of a MINI United festival are the MINI Club Area and Beauty Parking, which serves as both a car park and stage for the more strikingly styled members of the MINI fleet. Indeed, for the majority of the fans at the fourth MINI United festival, driving to the venue in their own MINI is a key part of the event.

Further information on MINI United 2012 is now available at www.MINIspace.com/MINIunited. Regular updates on the event programme, motor sport and music line up will also be posted on the site, as well as tips and links on the event location, registration, ticket bookings and accommodation reservations in the area around the venue.

[Source: BMW Press Group Global, 23.03.2012, Munich/Le Castellet.]

Photos Include Music Acts, MINI United 2009, and a revised Poster art suitable for plastering all over town

Canuck hero Croxall claimed the World Championship ranking in a tight and heated battle for ice cross downhill dominance on the most challenging and exciting track of the 2012 season.

Fastest to the bottom in tonight’s finals and winner of the Quebec City stop is Finland’s Arttu Pihlainen, marking the fourth time he’s won in Quebec. In the closest rivalry of the season, only 40 points separated Croxall and Pihlainen from the championship title in a heart-stopping race culminating in an explosive ending amidst the deafening roars of more than 100,000 fans in the heart of Old Quebec.

As Red Bull Crashed Ice World Champion, Croxall wins exclusive use of a MINI for three years. MINI, a keen promoter of young talent, is once again the official automotive partner of Red Bull Crashed Ice.

“This event is fast, fun, and high energy,” said Adam Shaver, Director, MINI Canada. “It’s a perfect fit for the MINI brand. We’re happy to be here for our second year, and proud to not only recognize the Rookie of the Year, but to honour the World Champion with a MINI. If Croxall gets a thrill from navigating a course with dynamic handling and tight cornering, as his results at Red Bull Crashed Ice would indicate, then he’s going to love driving a MINI.”

Croxall earned the title of Red Bull Crashed Ice World Champion after accumulating a total of 3,000 points along the season’s four stops – Saint Paul (US), Valkenburg (NED), Are (SWE), and tonight in Quebec City. “After placing second overall two years in a row, I knew I had to dig deep and train every day no matter what if I wanted to win, and lifting that World Championship trophy is absolutely worth it,” said the Canadian champ who plans on taking a few weeks off to start training for 2013.

Pihlainen came in a very close second amassing 2,960 points and Kyle’s younger brother Scott Croxall (Mississauga, ON) placed third in the World Championship with 2,300 points at the season’s close.

Representing the ladies, fearless female Fannie Desforges from Fournier, Ontario earned bragging rights as the women’s division champion against the top 16 mighty women. “I feel incredible right now, there are no words to describe it. I finished fifth last year, but I was having a flawless night tonight so I just tried to stay on my feet,” said Desforges. “Hopefully the sport will continue to keep expanding.”

The top finishers in each division skate away with not only bragging rights, but took home a share of the prize purse totalling $16,410.

MINI Rookie Award
To foster up-and-coming athletes, the MINI Rookie Award returned this year to honour the best of Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship newcomers. Ross Thompson of Kamloops, BC came through the finish line as the newcomer to the World Championship with the best finish, winning the MINI Rookie of the Year Award. “I’m honoured to be the MINI Rookie of the Year winner this year,” said Thompson. “I accomplished my goal of finishing in the top 32 which I set out to do.”

A Crash Course on the Urban Ice Track
Quebec City is a classic stop on the Red Bull Crashed Ice circuit – recognized as featuring the longest, fastest, and toughest track of the entire World Championship series. This year’s course started with a bang, as the rounded start ramp launched the riders to intense speeds on Côte de la Montagne, where they then faced tricky jumps and obstacles, like a step up, a roller coaster of dizzying peaks and valleys, a bridge, and a tornado of twists throughout the urban ice course.

Running 584 meters long, averaging 4.5 meters wide, with a 60-metre vertical and 180° turns and 50° incline, the course heralded new obstacles to showcase the skaters’ strength, speed, and technique. Starting at the Château Frontenac, this year’s ice track also required serious strategy, as racers encountered more passing opportunities before reaching the finish line by the Saint Lawrence River at Place de Paris.

The Quest to Qualify
This year, more than 10,000 Canadians registered for the chance to compete at one of 13 qualifying events across the country. From there, a random lottery selected 200 men and 20 women per qualifying city to tackle individual speed trials on a challenging flat-surface obstacle course filled with jumps, dives, and turns. To narrow the crop of athletes down to 100 men and 20 women, top participants from each qualifier who demonstrated the best skating skill, agility, speed, and strength earned a spot at the main event in Quebec City.

About the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship
A combination of hockey, boardercross, and downhill skiing, Red Bull Crashed Ice sets a thrilling stage for intrepid male and female amateur and pro hockey players from around the globe. No flat surfaces here – instead, daring racers hurtle down a 584-metre long ice track coiling through the city’s stunning landscape while battling massive jumps, gaping drops, hairpin turns and each other to the icy, epic finish.

Each stop of the 2012 World Championship featured shoot-outs for national and international athletes. The fastest 64 Canadian and 64 international athletes from each Shoot-Out advanced to the Elimination Round. These ice mavericks were then seeded into brackets of four, as the two skaters from each bracket with the highest speeds advanced to the Finals on Saturday, March 17th.

Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship Ranking 2012:
1. Kyle Croxall (CAN/3000 points)
2. Arttu Pihlainen (FIN/2960 points)
3. Scott Croxall (CAN/2300 points)
4. Adam Horst (CAN/2190 points)
5. Paavo Klintrup (FIN/ 1660 points)

World Championship points were up for grabs at each of the four stops of the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship: 1,000 points all the way down to 0.5 points were collected for athletes who placed first to 100th. Whoever finishes the season with the most points after the four races is crowned the 2012 Red Bull Crashed Ice World Champion.

BMW Group in Canada
BMW Group Canada, based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs and protection products on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 44 BMW automobile retail centres, 20 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 29 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

[Source: BMW Group Canada/MINI, RICHMOND HILL, March 19, 2012]

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 12, 2012…. The BMW Group and Stitcher are cooperating to make the Stitcher Smart Radio iPhone App compatible with vehicles equipped with the groundbreaking BMW Apps and MINI Connected technologies. Once completed, BMW and MINI customers will be able to easily and safely access unique features of Stitcher’s on-demand streaming service in vehicles equipped with the BMW Apps or MINI Connected options. BMW Group will demonstrate a prototype of the forthcoming Stitcher iPhone App for media during the South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) conference in Austin, Texas, on Monday, March 12.

Stitcher App integration with MINI Connected
“As promised, the BMW Group continues to deliver great, new services like Stitcher to our worldwide customers via the groundbreaking platforms of MINI Connected and BMW Apps,” said Uwe Higgen, head of the international BMW AppCenter network, based in Munich, Germany. Development of the Stitcher app will commence via the BMW AppCenter Mountain View, California, which continuously scouts for new services in the Silicon Valley and the greater North American market.

Stitcher App integration with BMW Apps
When integration is complete, a simple update to the Stitcher iPhone app through the iTunes App Store will enable a host of Stitcher’s unique entertainment features to be integrated seamlessly into the car, where they can be easily operated using the already familiar BMW iDrive and MINI Connected systems. The prototype Stitcher app for the BMW Apps and the MINI Connected platforms will showcase the following unique capabilities:

Seamless integration and control of Stitcher’s services through the vehicle’s infotainment system, which enables easy searches for content, the ability to provide feedback (“More Like This” and “Listeners Also Like”), and fast forward and rewind control
The ability to create or remove custom stations on demand
High-resolution visual display featuring album art and convenient show/episode information, such as latest episodes, duration and whether the listener has already listened to the episode
Stitcher offers the following features:

Personalized playlists of listeners’ favorite shows
Stitcher recommendation of other programs based on listening preferences towards the discovery of new shows and content
The broadest selection of podcasts and live radio on-demand
Stitcher SmartRadio enjoys a 5 star consumer rating and #1 ranking in the iTunes App Store’s News category
Media attending SXSWi will be able to view demonstrations throughout the day. To schedule a demonstration during SXSWi, please contact Robert Passaro at +1.650.934.3404 or Robert.passaro@bmw.de.

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 the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 339 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 111 MINI passenger car dealers, and 32 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.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at: www.bmwgroupna.com.

# # #

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

About Stitcher
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