Morning Reads: 4 December 2007

[Mika]

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-12-4&c=1)

http://www.thebirthdaycd.com/images/Tango_Birthday_Fake.gif


BMW in the News

Roadracingworld.com (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?lnk=rss&article=30878)
BMW Planning to Enter Four Factory HP2 Sports in 2008 Daytona 200

aitospies.com (http://www.autospies.com/news/Mercedes-and-BMW-deal-expected-soon-23864/)
Mercedes and BMW deal expected soon.

http://www.autospies.com/images/users/rybo/bmw_mercedes.jpg

The new M3 around the Nurburgring for some fun – 2 parts

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TED (http://www.ted.com/index.php/pages/view/id/5): Ideas worth spreading
TED Blog (http://blog.ted.com/),Conferences (http://www.ted.com/index.php/pages/view/id/7), Themes (http://www.ted.com/index.php/themes), Talks (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks) and Speakers (http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers)

BMW AG: Share price performance (http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/nav/index.html?../0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/home/home.html&source=overview)

Page 2: (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=266834&posted=1#post266834)
BMW Press: News and press releases from the official BMW sources


News:


womenridersnow.com (http://www.womenridersnow.com/PublicFiles/DepartmentViewer.asp?ArticleID=794)
Consignments Sought for historic Motorcycle Auction

http://www.womenridersnow.com/PhotoFiles/350Wide/2918.jpg

gadgetroad.com (http://www.gadgetroad.com/radial-engine-bike-concept-483/)
Radial engine bike conccept

http://www.gadgetroad.com/wp-content/uploads/Image/2007/June/cars-and-bikes/radial-bike/radial-bike-3.jpg

Cage World

topspeed.com (http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/porsche-taking-aim-at-toyota-ar48391.html)
Porsche Taking Aim at Toyota

thegarageblog.com (http://thegarageblog.com/garage/porsche-going-downhill/)
Porsche going downhill

http://thegarageblog.com/garage/wp-content/uploads/porsche-bobsled.jpg

autobloggreen.com (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/12/03/if-cellulosic-ethanol-makes-it-it-probably-wont-be-with-corn-s/)
If cellulosic ethanol makes it, it probably won’t be with corn stover

Blogf1.com (http://blogf1.co.uk/2007/12/02/news-round-up-testing-times-tv-shows-wedding-bells/)
News roundup

pitpass.com]
All eyes on VW

[url=http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2940689,00.html]planet-f1.com (http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=33486)
Lewis misses out on the Stig’s Record

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http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/182526939-M.gif Packer News (http://www.packers.com/ )

jsonline.com (http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=44)
Packers Plus Online


The News-Record – Gillette Wyoming (http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/news/)



Bike Reviews:

detnewss.com (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071203/OPINION03/712030463/1047/rss20)
Buell XBR: What’s the strategy for 2008?

londonbikers.com (http://londonbikers.com/articles/b416064b-385c-424d-8681-82e7ccb3353b)
Buell 1125 R Redefines the Sportbike Riding Experience

MCN: First ride of the Ducati 848
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motorcyclists-online.com (http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_796_Road-Test--2008-Ducati-848-848-after-eight.html)
Road Test: 2008 Ducati 848


Blog Update (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=225349&posted=1#post225349)

Foreign Language Blogs (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=225351&posted=1#post225351)

Blogs:

Salcar (http://www.salcar.net/blog/2007/12/geoff-tayner-mo.html)

BluepooBikes Motorcycle Adventures (http://bluepoof.blogs.com/motorcycle/2007/12/victorious-sple.html)

Helmet Hair (http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/quentin-tarantino-behind-new-motorcycle-movie/)

K’telontour (http://ktelontour.blogspot.com/)

Meanderings on Two Wheels (http://ridingtwowheels.blogspot.com/)

Ride it like you stole it! (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2007/12/bmw-motorcycle-riding-travel-rilysi.html)

Flight of the Platypus (http://flightoftheplatypus.blogspot.com/2007/12/exploring-hills-around-lampa.html)

The New Café (Racer) Society (http://thenewcaferacersociety.blogspot.com/2007/12/o-ray-courtneys-dream-bike.html)



Gear:

webbikeworld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com/leather-motorcycle-clothing/leather-with-lycra/)
Leather With Lycra


Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)


Photography / Video:

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dPS.com (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/photographing-children-a-quick-tip/)

Links to the Photo Assignment threads:

12/01/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22018): Element

11/24/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21853): Gratitude – Thanksgiving Special

11/17/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21734): Triangle

11/10/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21574): Harmony

11/03/2007 ( http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21441): Pure & Simple

10/27/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21286): Open Wide

10/19/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21141): Shadow of a Doubt

10/13/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20999&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Group Dynamic

10/06/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20845&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Blue

09/29/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20687&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Evolution

09/22/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20513&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Balance

09/15/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20361&highlight=Photo+Assignment): Where I Want to Be

09/08/2007 (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20239&highlight=Photo+Assignment): A Long Way to Go


M.R. Traveler

strangemaps.wordpress.com ( http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/211-humbeads-revised-map-of-the-world-with-list-of-population/)
211 - Humbead’s Revised Map of the World (With List of Population)


Wonderings:

Looking for a few good posters!

http://moto-images.caradisiac.com/IMG/LOGOS/4/5/9/arton6459.gif


The 2008 Dakar is coming in January. I covered the 2007 version in the Morning Reads. While I plan on publishing the Morning Reads regularly I will not be able to give as much effort to it this year to covering Dakar.

I am writing to suggest that someone else start a thread and take over the task by themselves or as a team effort. If it is a team effort I will contribute. It was fun and generated some good buzz on the forum in January. I just can’t be the lead rider in this years Dakar.


Today’s RoadFood.com ( http://www.roadfood.com/)


Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)

The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)


xkcd (http://www.xkcd.com/) A webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math and Language

Sluggy Freelance (http://www.sluggy.com/)


Bike Candy:

http://www.thebeachcruiser.com/blog/Merrill_20Jarvis_200061_20[1024x768].JPG

From: TheBeachCruiser.com Merrill’s Pride and Joy – more pictures (http://www.thebeachcruiser.com/blog/2007/12/03/merrills-pride-and-joy.html )

THE END (http://mocoloco.com/art/archives/hechtman_empty_plates_jul_0.jpg)

[Mika]

BMW Press: News and press releases from the official BMW sources

BMW Motorrad South Africa

BMW K1200 R to feature in Xbox 360 Game (http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.za/bikes/news/display.asp?Id=843)

http://www.bmwmotorrad.co.za/bikes/news/pics/K1200R_xbox_1.jpg


PressClub Canada

BMW Group Canada sales up 16% to achieve best-ever November sales.
12/03/2007

Whitby, Ontario. BMW Group Canada reported today a new November sales record of 2,221 BMWs and MINIs, an increase of 16.2% compared to November 2006.
Year-to-date sales for BMW Group Canada are 25,317 units, an increase of 17.3% over the same period last year. Sales in the first eleven months of 2007 have already surpassed the 2006 sales record, confirming that 2007 will be the 17th consecutive year of record sales for BMW Group Canada.

BMW Brand: BMW sales up 16% to set a new November sales record.

The BMW brand set a November sales record of 1,956 units, an increase of 16.0% over November 2006. Sales of the BMW 3 Series Cabriolet, with BMW’s first retractable hard top roof, were up 1,100% compared to November 2006. BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle sales went up 135.5% compared to November 2006.

Year-to-date, the BMW brand has also exceeded the 2006 BMW sales record making this another banner year for the BMW brand in Canada. 21,900 BMW’s have been retailed year-to-date, an increase of 18.3% compared to the same period last year.

BMW Motorrad Canada sales increased 66.7% for November, compared to November 2006, which translates to 50 motorcycles sold this November. Year-to-date, BMW Motorrad has achieved a new sales record of 1,525 units, an increase of 30.1% compared to the same period last year.

Year-to-date, Certified Pre-Owned sales are up 14.6%, with 5,912 units sold so far. Total BMW Pre-Owned sales have increased 6.9% year-to-date to 7,920 units. BMW Certified Pre-Owned sales for November were 395 units, an increase of 9.1% compared to November 2006. Total pre-owned sales in November were 549 units, an increase of 0.7% compared to November 2006.

MINI Brand: MINI sales up 17.8%.

MINI had a strong month in November with sales up 17.8%, compared to November 2006, which translates to 265 MINIs sold. Year-to-date, MINI sales are 11.2% ahead of the same period last year, achieving a new year-to-date record of 3,417 units, surpassing MINI Canada’s 2006 sales record. MINI has set a sales record for the sixth consecutive year since MINI’s Canadian debut in 2002.

MINI NEXT certified pre-owned vehicle sales were up 16.7% to 21 units in November compared to November 2006. Total MINI pre-owned sales for November increased 30.8% to 51 units, compared to November 2006. Year-to-date MINI NEXT sales have increased 4.8% to 330 units. Total MINI pre-owned vehicle sales year-to-date are 553 units, a decrease of 6.8% compared to the same period last year.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, 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 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 38 BMW automobile retail centres, 18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 22 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.


PressClub USA

As normal, this press release does not include any motorcycle figures

BMW GROUP (USA) REPORTS 4.2 PERCENT INCREASE IN NOVEMBER SALES
12/03/2007

Year-to-Date Sales of BMW Group up 7.8 Percent
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 3, 2007... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 26,985 vehicles, an increase of 4.2 percent over the 25,889 vehicles sold in November 2006. The BMW Group also increased its year-to-date sales volume to 302,079 vehicles, up 7.8 percent, compared to 280,186 vehicles in the same period of 2006.

BMW Brand Sales
Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 5.3 percent in November for a total of 23,808 compared to 22,602 vehicles reported in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date BMW brand sales were up 8.3 percent, to 263,596 vehicles compared to 243,487 vehicles sold in the first eleven months of 2006.

MINI Brand Sales
MINI USA reported November sales of 3,177 automobiles, down 3.3 percent from the 3,287 cars sold in November 2006. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 38,483 automobiles, an increase of 4.9 percent, compared to the 36,699 cars reported through November of 2006.

Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC, January through November 2007

Nov 2007
Nov 2006
%
YTD 2007
YTD 2006
%
BMW brand

23,808
22,602
5.3
263,596
243,487
8.3
BMW passenger cars

18,627
18,817
- 1.0
207,471
191,808
8.2
BMW light trucks
(SAVs)
5,181
3,785
36.9
56,125
51,679
8.6
MINI brand

3,177
3,287
-3.3
38,483
36,699
4.9
TOTAL Group

26,985
25,889
4.2
302,079
280,186
7.8

BMW Certified Pre-Owned
The company reported sales of 7,856 CPO vehicles in November 2007 from 5,049 in the same month a year ago, an increase of 55.6 percent. Year-to-date, CPO sales are up 7.8 percent, to 80,299 over the 74,476 reported in the same period in 2006.

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, an industrial design firm 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 Z4 models and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

MINI USA AND RIDEMAKERZ TEAM UP TO DEBUT SMALLEST MINI EVER
12/03/2007

Companies Announce Joint Holiday Donation Guaranteeing
2,000 MINI RIDEZ to Toys for Tots; Invite Public to Donate As Well

"Tween" Sensation Jansen Panettiere, and Children from Madison Square Boys & Girls Club and Latino Pastoral Action Center, Family Life Academy Charter School are the First to Build Their Own RIDEMAKERZ MINI Cooper S.


Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 2, 2007... MINI USA and RIDEMAKERZ have teamed up to create the smallest MINI ever - the RIDEMAKERZ MINI - a 12-inch, completely customizable toy replica of the iconic MINI Cooper S - and have guaranteed a holiday donation of 2,000 of the new toy MINIs to Toys for Tots - the companies jointly announced today at an event celebrating the launch of the new MINI RIDE.

Joined by "tween" sensation Jansen Panettiere (star of the Nickelodeon movie "The Last Day of Summer" and the Disney Channel Original Movie "Tiger Cruise") more than 30 kids, ages 8-10, from the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club and the Latino Pastoral Action Center Family Life Academy Charter School in Bronx NY, are the first to build the new MINI RIDEZ. In addition the two companies presented 100 of the pint-sized cars to eight uniformed members of the U.S. Marines, who received the donation on behalf of Toys for Tots. Following the donation ceremony, MINI of Manhattan became "Santa's workshop," outfitted like a traditional RIDEMAKERZ retail shop featuring "zones" where kids - with the help of Panettiere and the U.S. Marines - were able to create their very own one-of-a-kind MINI RIDE.


The partnership between MINI USA, automaker of the iconic and uniquely customizable line of passenger cars that made small cars cool, and RIDEMAKERZ, the innovative new toy retailer whose concept of allowing kids the hands-on experience of customizing one-of-a-kind RIDEZ was inspired by the successful Build-A-Bear Workshop®, underscores the companies' shared commitment to delivering products and experiences that reflect fun and creativity.

"We are delighted to have partnered with RIDEMAKERZ - a company that, like MINI, values innovation and individualization and embodies those qualities in its products," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "We think everyone - adults and kids alike - should have the opportunity to experience the imagination and passion of MINI. That's why we're encouraging all individuals to donate a MINI RIDE of their own to someone in need this holiday season."

To donate a RIDE to Toys for Tots, consumers can visit a RIDEMAKERZ Shop, now through December 13th, or go online to www.RIDEMAKERZ.com/mini, now through December 31st. Consumers wishing to purchase and donate a MINI RIDE online can simply click on "Give the Gift of MINI," which will allow them to choose a RIDE and have it shipped directly to Toys for Tots organizations around the country. As a part of MINI's Motoring Hearts program - which encourages MINI owners and enthusiasts to give back to their favorite charities - this initiative promises to help deliver the creativity and fun of the RIDEMAKERZ MINI to numerous underprivileged children this holiday season.

"The RIDEMAKERZ experience is designed to provide choice, unleash creativity, foster confidence, encourage collaboration and instill a sense of community. These are our core values - or what we call The Five C'Z of RZ. MINI's focus on customization, shared sense of adventure and contagious spirit of fun make the partnership and the opportunity to participate in the Toys for Tots donation a perfect fit with RIDEMAKERZ," says Larry Andreini, ZEO of RIDEMAKERZ. "With more than 649,000,000 possible ways to customize a RIDE, we are excited to be giving kids the gift of creativity - and the smallest MINI ever - just in time for the holidays."

MINI RIDEZ Kids of All Ages Can Enjoy
The RIDEMAKERZ MINI guarantees a distinctive and truly one-of-a-kind holiday gift for kids and car enthusiasts of all ages. Tapping into America's love of cars and the massive car-customizing movement, RIDEMAKERZ invites guests, or "customizers" into the ultimate car-customizing Shop where they can CHOOZE, SONICIZE, MOTORIZE, MOBILIZE, CUSTOMIZE, PERSONALIZE and CRUIZE™ one-of-a-kind RIDEZ. The cars can be tricked out with a variety of performance and styling options so that no two MINI RIDEZ are alike. The companies also will offer a limited quantity of special Launch Edition MINI RIDEZ, customized with innovative graphics by renowned car customizer and MINI enthusiast Fireball Tim.

Available in four colors - Chili Red, Hot Orange, Laser Blue and Asphalt Black - and priced at either $22 or $25, the RIDEMAKERZ MINIs are available online at www.RIDEMAKERZ.COM, as well as at four RIDEMAKERZ Shop locations: Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC, the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN, the Spotsylvania Towne Center in Spotsylvania, VA and Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis (additional RIDEMAKERZ Shop locations will launch in Spring 2008).

RIDEMAKERZ®
RIDEMAKERZ mission is to have great fun making cool RIDEZ - with the ultimate vision of contributing to the positive development of kidz. Inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a partner and investor in the concept, RIDEMAKERZ is about the joy and fun of creating something great, something artistic, something unique and original. Visit www.RIDEMAKERZ.COM for more information



Motorsports PressClub

BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - TEST OPPORTUNITY IN JEREZ FOR MARKO ASMER AND JAVIER VILLA
12/03/2007

Munich/Hinwil, 1st December 2007. During next week's test in Jerez the BMW Sauber F1 Team will give young drivers Marko Asmer (23, Estonia) and Javier Villa (20, Spain) a chance to drive the BMW Sauber F1.07.
Test schedule:

Tuesday, 4th December:
Nick Heidfeld will drive all day. The other car be will be driven by Javier Villa in the morning and Marko Asmer in the afternoon.

Wednesday and Thursday, 5th and 6th December:
Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica will drive all day.

Friday, 7th December:
Rober Kubica and Marko Asmer will drive all day.


BMW MOTORSPORT PARTY 2007 - GRAND FINALE IN MUNICH
12/03/2007

Munich, 1st December 2007. Around 600 international guests were joined by the BMW drivers and BMW Motorsport management to see out the 2007 season in style with a party and presentation of trophies at BMW's home base on Saturday.
"This event is primarily our way of saying thank you to the drivers, teams, sponsors and journalists who have been with us at the race tracks throughout the year," explains BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "This time we have gathered outside our own front door to make use of BMW Welt, our new car delivery centre."

That is where the assembled crowd, which included the 2007 BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and his WTCC colleagues Jörg Müller, Alessandro Zanardi, Félix Porteiro and Fredrik Ekblom, moved to late in the evening.

Prior to that, the traditional Sports Trophy presentation for BMW privateer drivers from around the world took place at the Dinner held in the Olympic Ice Sport Centre. During the presentation ceremony, Theissen also expressed his thanks to Hans-Joachim Stuck, who has for many years been a successful BMW driver and brand ambassador and is now taking up a new challenge.

Christmas magic and ice carving.

In the afternoon, the drivers and motorsport management manned the stalls of a specially built Christmas market at BMW Welt. Even Mario Theissen and Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, could be seen diligently serving up grilled sausages and mulled wine.

The squad members had to demonstrate their skills not only as hosts at the Christmas market, but as wielders of the hacksaw as well during a stint of ice carving. Divided into three teams, their challenge was to transform three blocks of ice into a helmet, a car wheel and the BMW "propeller" logo. A rather less than brilliant result was ultimately honed into the desired sculptures by the professionals. The audience had a fun time and a chance to pick up some autographs.


BMW Sauber F1: Website (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html)

BMW Motorsport (http://bmw-motorsport.com/ms/en/index.html)

BMW Yachtsport (http://bmw-yachtsport.com/ys/en/index.html)

BMW Golfsport (http://bmw-golfsport.com/gs/en/index.html)

BMW Oracle Racing (http://bmworacleracing.com/en/index.html?track.refer=)

BMW Sport website ( http://bmw-sports.com/en/index.html)

[Voni]

Leather with Lycra?

Comfy and has that WOW factor:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/leather-motorcycle-clothing/leather-with-lycra/

Voni
sMiling