BMW Lime Rock Labor Day weekend preview

LAKEVILLE, Conn. - Rolex Watch U.S.A. and BMW North America will both have an important presence at Lime Rock Park on Labor Day weekend, bringing a host of historically significant race cars to the Road Racing Center of the East.

The Rolex Moments in Time exhibit will grace the Rolex Vintage Festival Presented by BMW for the first time with a museum quality display of legendary cars. BMW will celebrate two important anniversaries on Aug. 29- Sept. 1; the 25th anniversary of its first venture into road car production with the legendary BMW M1 and the 20th anniversary of BMW's 1983 Formula One World Championship.

The Rolex Moments in Time showcases famous cars in a setting that also details the history of the sport and its importance to that era of auto racing.

Among the classic cars that will be on display is the 1983 Brabham BT-52. Driven by Nelson Piquet and powered by a BMW engine that produced 1,200 horsepower, the Brabham BT-52 was the first turbocharged car to win the Formula One World Championship.

The exhibit also will include the 1971 Tyrrell-Ford F-1 driven by Jackie Stewart to his second Formula One championship, the 1952 Cunningham C4R driven by John Fitch and Phil Walters to victory in the 12 hours of Sebring, the 1933 Bugatti T-51A winner at Avus driven by Pierre Veyron and other legendary cars.

"Race fans will be treated to a walk down memory lane as they appreciate the cars first hand in the Rolex Moments in Time exhibit," said Walter Fischer, President and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A.

BMW has invited M1 owners to a gathering at the Rolex Vintage Festival and will bring the 1981 IMSA GTO Champion Red Lobster M1, along with several other noteworthy M1s.

The Vintage & Historic Car Show activities on Sunday, Aug. 31, will include a celebration of the mid-engined BMW M1. One of the largest gatherings of these exceptional machines ever in the United States is expected at Lime Rock to commemorate this special occasion.

Continuing the theme of exotic BMW racing cars, BMW Team PTG drivers Bill Auberlen, Hans Stuck and Marc Surer will meet fans and demonstrate race cars from BMW's past. Fans will see BMW's fastest sports cars including a 1986 BMW/March GTP, the 1996

BMW powered McLaren F1 GTR, the 1999 Sebring winning BMW/Williams V12 LMR and the BMW Art Car painted by Andy Warhol that finished sixth at Le Mans in 1979.

Among the many other displays and events over the weekend will be a lineup of the new BMWs, MINIs and BMW motorcycles.

Take advantage of advance purchase discounts and order your tickets to the Rolex Vintage Festival Presented by BMW, Aug. 29-Sept. 1, today. Advance sales end on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Tickets can be ordered online at www.limerock.com, or by calling 1-800-RACE-LRP.

For more information about the Rolex Vintage Festival, including an event schedule, entry lists, and more press releases, visit www.limerock.com.

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