Roberto Panichi wins first U.S. BMW Motorrad BoxerCup Race in photo finish at Daytona International Speedway

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, March 17, 2003... Gloomy overcast skies and the
threat of a potential rain-out failed to dampen the spirits of 48 riders and
the roar of their BMW R 1100 S motorcycles as they tested their "mettle" on the
high banks of Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, March 9, in the U.S.
debut of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003. Despite red-flag conditions, the
Daytona matchup offered the most off-the-seat racing excitement ever to grace
the popular BoxerCup series as Italian racer Roberto Panichi and American rider
Brian Parriott crossed the finish line in a true side-by-side photo finish.
Based on aggregate time, the victory went to BoxerCup veteran Panichi who
commented, "I'm very happy to win and race here in Daytona. It is one of the
most important tracks in the world." The time separating each finisher from
the lead rider in the two segments before and after a red flag determines
aggregate time.

Second-place finisher Parriott, who is racing in the BoxerCup series for the
first time this year, observed that the competition was world-class. "This is
my first event on the R1100 S, so I knew that the veterans had an advantage.
My experience level was a little low. I've been at the track and I've been in
drafts before, but never for the win. I figured I could do the double draft
on Roberto. He let me pass him and then I let him pass me, allowing me to pass
him back before the line. I thought I pulled it off, but it didn't happen."

Markus Barth, of Germany, finished third, commenting, "The last lap was crazy.
I'm happy for this third position in Daytona. It's my first visit here. The
race kept me thinking all the time."

As if on cue, when the BoxerCup excitement ended, the skies over Daytona
Speedway opened up, releasing rain that approached monsoon proportions.
Remaining races at the track were postponed until the following day.

"We were grateful that, despite the potential for a rain-out, our first BMW
Motorrad Boxer Cup race in the U.S. literally shone through," said Laurence
Kuykendall, Brand and Event Marketing Manager, BMW Motorrad USA.

Riders competing in last Sunday's U.S. debut of the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup
represented 34 racing teams from 11 nations - all piloting near-production spec
BMW R 1100 S motorcycles. Hosted by the American Motorcycle Association, the
race concluded a week-long series of special events presented by BMW during
this year's Bike Week in Daytona Beach, FL.

Competing with Parriott for the BMW Motorrad USA Stars and Stripes Team were
fellow American riders Jimmy Lewis, Jason Perez, Jay Springsteen, Gerald Young,
and special guest Greg White, who rode a camera-mounted motorcycle on behalf of
Speed Channel. Other journalists competing in the race as VIP guests included
Brian Catterson, Executive Editor of Cycle World, and Steve Atlas, of
RoadRacing World. Six riders represented BMW Motorcycle retailer teams. Tripp
Nobles rode on behalf of Foothills BMW of Lakewood, CO; Kurt Kossmann competed
for BMW Motorcycles of Daytona; Dave Campbell suited up for Brattin BMW of San
Diego, CA; Sylvester Lemanski rode for Westchester BMW Motorcycles of White
Plains, NY; and Nate Kern competed on behalf of BMW Motorcycles of Cherry Hill,
NJ. Returning to competition was BMW Motorrad design engineer Norbert
Rebholz., who rode for the German Boxer Team.

Rosana Scoleri, of Bologna, Italy, had the distinction of being the first woman
to compete in a BMW Motorrad BoxerCup race on Sunday. The 25-year-old endurance
racer scaled the high banks of Daytona International Speedway as a member of
Italy's Dream Car Team. The youngest competitor was 16-year-old Barry Burrell,
of Great Britain.

Former champion and racing legend, Randy Mamola will again function as official
ambassador and spokesperson for the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2003 race series.
For the BMW BoxerCup enthusiast, BMW Motorcycles will offer two new versions of
the R 1100 S for the American public. The 2003 R 1100 S BoxerCup Replika
($13,490 MSRP) will have unique trim and equipment to celebrate the arrival of
the BoxerCup race series to the U.S. A special graphics package, which mimics
the BoxerCup racebike as ridden by Randy Mamola, will grace the Pacific Blue
and Alpine White paint scheme. Clear turn signal lenses replace the amber turn
signal lenses found in the standard R 1100 S. Additionally, a pair of
carbon-fiber cylinder head covers and a lower engine spoiler distinguishes this
S as one of only 200 units that will be produced for the U.S. market. Those who
wish to own the basis for a track-ready racebike should opt for the
strictly-business R 1100 S BoxerCup Prep. Like the Replika model, this
lightweight version of the R 110

0 S does not include ABS and features a high-output alternator, sport
suspension and 51/2-inch rear wheel. The BoxerCup Prep is available in two
color schemes-Titan Silver Metallic or Titan Grey/Mandarin Metallic two-tone
(which includes Mandarin-colored wheels). The Prep version will be offered for
$11,990 MSRP.

The BMW Motorrad BoxerCup is a motorcycle roadracing series offering
substantial prize money and is currently an established feature of the
international motorcycle racing scene. 2003 BoxerCup races will be featured
events at six races in the MotoGP Motorcycle World Championships, plus the
British National Superbike race at Oulton Park and the endurance race at Spa
Francorchamps. Since the series' inception four years ago, spectator attendance
has grown to nearly 100,000 per race event.

Originally, the BoxerCup series was conducted on a national level in France and
Belgium. When it was expanded to an international scale throughout Europe in
2001, it began to attract participants with extremely high levels of riding
skills from all corners of the globe.

BMW Motorad BoxerCup 2003 Race Dates
Nine BMW Motorrad BoxerCup races are planned for 2003, including last Sunday's
matchup in Daytona Beach, FL.

1. March 9 - Daytona International Speedway; Daytona Beach, Florida
2. May 5 - Oulton Park; British Superbike Championship, Great Britain
3. May 17 - Le Mans; MotoGP France
4. June 7 - Mugello; MotoGP Italy
5. June 14 - Barcelona; MotoGP Catalunya, Spain
6. June 28 - Assen; Dutch TT, MotoGP The Netherlands
7. July 5 - Rennen Spa Francorchamps; Master of Endurance, Belgium
8. July 26 - Sachsenring; MotoGP Germany
9. August 17 - Brün; MotoGP Czech Republic

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since
then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales
and financial service organizations for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands;
DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in
Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country, including
BMW Manufacturing Corp. In South Carolina. The BMW Group sales organization is
represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports
Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers, 70 MINI car dealers and 27
Rolls-Royce motorcar dealers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's sales
headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff
Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet
at http://www.bmwusa.com http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and
http://www.miniusa.com.

Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available
to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address -
www.press.bmwgroup.com.

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