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 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 SPEED 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 BMWs 49th World Challenge victory, putting the marque in third place for all-time World Challenge manufacturer class wins. SPEED Touring 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 2009 SPEED Touring Car Championship begins in two-weeks 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.
