Heidfeld to participate in triathlon challenge

On 9th May 2007, BMW Sauber F1 Team driver Nick Heidfeld, BMW ORACLE Racing Team crew member Tony Kolb and golf professional José Manuel Lara will meet in Valencia for a quite unique competition. The three sportsmen will do battle in three different disciplines: motor sport, sailing and golf. Each will be treading new ground in two of the sports, giving them an insight into the particular challenges they present. BMW is involved at the top level of these three sports.

“It will be an exciting day,” says Heidfeld. “For me it’s not so much about discovering the differences between motor sport, sailing and golf. What I’m looking forward to is seeing the parallels between the sports come into focus. In Formula One it’s all about precision, concentration and meticulous preparation for the drivers. And I’m sure it’s no different for professional sailors and golfing pros.”

Golf ace Lara will be very much on his home turf when the three stars play a series of holes at the El Bosque club outside Valencia. The Spanish professional, who was born in the city, celebrated his long-awaited European Tour breakthrough with victory in the 2007 UBS Hong Kong Open at the beginning of the season. “This will be the second time I have been a guest of BMW ORACLE Racing,” explains the 29-year-old. “It was impressive to observe the team during their preparation for the Louis Vuitton Cup. Now I can’t wait to get out onto the track in a Formula BMW car.”

The second venue of the day will be the Formula BMW Racing Center. Here the professional sportsmen will be out to impress the instructors with their skill at the wheel of the small formula racers. In this challenge, the emphasis will be on choosing the right line and demonstrating good driving technique rather than setting the fastest lap times.

Then, to round off the event, Heidfeld, Kolb and Lara will take to the water. Here, on board the historical America’s Cup 12-metre yachts, Kolb – midbowman for the BMW ORACLE Racing crew – is the professional.

The former Ocean Race winner, Kolb says: “Right now, of course, we’re in a critical period leading up to the decisive regattas of the Louis Vuitton Cup – the Challenger series for the America’s Cup. This triathlon is sure to be great fun.” The event will come to a conclusion at the BMW ORACLE Racing Team base.