Twenty-eight dynamic BMW 318ti Sport Compacts will front the grid for the first time in the world in a totally new look line-up of vehicles and stars for the race.

BMW Group Australia and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation are currently in discussions with several leading international and national stars from the sports, entertainment and business worlds to drive in the race.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Dr. Franz Sauter, said today that the 2004 BMW Celebrity Challenge promises to be one of the most memorable in the company's five-year history with the event in Melbourne.

"The line-up will ensure the race continues to attract TV audiences around the world, as well as keeping the fans at the track on the edge of their seat," Dr. Sauter said.

The very quick and nimble 318ti Sport Compact is a perfect example of this. It will take over from the MINI Cooper, which has been a feature of the race over the past two years, to give a 'new BMW Group face' to the event.

"And some of the stars with whom we are talking will certainly add glamour, as well as a strong competitive element which has become synonymous with the race," added Dr. Sauter. "We will be announcing the stars early in the New Year as part of the build-up to the Grand Prix."

Over the years, the BMW Celebrity Challenge has attracted stars from the fashion and entertainment worlds, including international super models Megan Gale and Kristy Hinze; leading actors Paul Mercurio, Antonio Sabato Jnr and Michael Caton; as well as superstars of the sporting world, including dual Olympic decathlon gold medallist Daley Thompson; two-time US Open winner Pat Rafter, Olympic swimming champion Kieren Perkins; four times women's world surfing champion Layne Beachley; tennis stars Sandon Stolle and Alicia Molik; Rugby players David Campese (Union) and Greg Alexander (League); and AFL players Stephen Silvagni, Peter Daicos and Garry Lyon.

The race has also featured BMW Group's 'star performers' - the very popular BMW Z3 roadster, as well as the MINI Cooper which made its world racing debut in the Challenge at the Albert Park circuit two years ago.

BMW Group Australia will also be the official vehicle supplier to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation for 2004, covering medical intervention, course cars, safety cars, FIA stewards, CAMS officials and motorcycles for boundary riders.

Background information:

The race: The 2003 MINI Celebrity Challenge saw Olympic gold medal speed skater Steve Bradbury and Italian heart-throb Marzio Canevarolo battling it out over the 25-km journey until rain stopped the event. The race went to Marzio (partner of Australian super model Megan Gale) who was leading Bradbury at the time the race was cut short as the celebrities spun, twisted, slid and pumped their way around the circuit in the slippery conditions. Third place went to Australian Olympic and Commonwealth weightlifter Damian Brown.

The car: The BMW 318ti Sport Compact is powered by a 2 litre, 16 valve, 4-cylinder engine, capable of reaching 100km/h in 9.3 seconds, with a top speed of 214km/h. It will be fitted with special racing equipment, including competition brake pads, competition clutch, FIA and CAMS approved roll cage, race seat and racing harness.