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Round three of the 2008 German Cross Country championship was a white and blue affair, as three of the top four bikes in the XCPro class were BMW G 450X machines. The BMW Motorrad factory team may have been denied its third consecutive victory, but overall the racing at Mernes proved to be a major success for the factory team.

BMW works rider Simo Kirssi - the current GCC series leader and winner of the opening rounds at Tollwitz and Walldorf - was yet again the fastest man out of the Munich manufacturer’s camp, but it was Frenchman Cyrille Coulon who claimed the overall race victory with Kirssi coming home in second place. Arguably though, the ride of the day went to fans’ favourite, five-times World Motocross champ Joel Smets, who came from last position to secure the final podium spot.

Under blazing sunshine, Kirssi grabbed the Le Mans-style start and guided the field into the first lap, shadowed by his teammate Bert Meyer and Coulon. The Frenchman set a blistering pace and wasted no time, passing Meyer in lap one and then Kirssi on the following lap to take the lead. Smets meanwhile suffered drama in the first chicane. Finding himself trapped under his own bike after a crash - and visibly in pain - the likeable Belgian re-joined the race in last position. But Joel was on fire and quickly started to pick off competitors to the left and right, forcing his way through the pack and ultimately rounding out a magnificent performance by stealing third place from Meyer.

After the chequered flag, the BMW Motorrad Motorsport crew applauded their riders and everyone on the team was delighted with the result. After all, success is the best reward for all the hard work and extensive development carried out to date.

“I started well and enjoyed the track,” said championship leader Kirssi, who had been following Coulon for a large portion of the two-hour race, yet had to accept the runner-up position. “Cyrille went by in the second lap and I couldn’t quite keep his pace. Not today. I am not satisfied and would have preferred to win.”

Commenting on his excellent podium spot, Joel Smets described how the adrenaline kept him battling until the end: “There was a lot of dust in the first corner after the start. I couldn’t see anything and don’t even know why I crashed. Maybe I clipped another rider’s bike, perhaps someone touched mine or maybe I just lost the front. Anyway, I was lying there with my leg trapped between the rear wheel and fender. I hurt my hip in the incident and had to ride through the pain for two hours. Nevertheless, once I started making my way though the pack it was a lot of fun and I am pleased with the result.”

Bert Meyer, who completed the BMW display of strength behind Kirssi and Smets, had his hands full with rival Arnaud Demeester early in the race. The veteran Frenchman however crashed out two thirds into the proceedings.

“The start went well today,” said Meyer. “After re-fuelling though, I ran into an old problem of mine - struggling to regain my rhythm. I was then battling with Arnaud Demeester and took control before he eventually crashed out. Fourth place is okay.”
The final word went to Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer, who praised all his riders for their efforts: “Simo rode his own race in second place. His lap times were similar to Coulon’s, but he couldn’t quite keep the pressure on him. Joel delivered an exciting race and came from being way behind to take third, while Bert had a great battle with Demeester, which continued until the Frenchman dropped out. All our team riders completed the race and two of them finished on the podium, so all in all it’s been a great day for us and a superb day’s racing.”

Results from GCC Mernes XCPro class

1. Cyrille Coulon (FRA), Yamaha, 22 laps
2. Simo Kirssi (FIN), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
3. Joel Smets (BEL), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
4. Bert Meyer (GER), BMW Motorrad Motorsport, 22 laps
5. Marco Straubel (GER), KTM, 21 laps
6. Stefan Geyer (GER), KTM, 21 laps
7. Falko Karbautzki (GER), KTM, 21 laps
8. Christoph Seifert (GER), KTM, 20 laps
9. Steffen Albrecht (GER), Yamaha, 19 laps
10. Andreas Schulz (GER), 19 laps

New ad campaign presents the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS and is an industry-first, featuring a three-minute movie commercial scheduled to debut during the Black Entertainment Television Awards pre-show today.
Partner 30- and 15-second spots will air on select television stations beginning today.
MadCrazyLove touts the dynamic design, business-class comfort, smooth driving experience and in-car communication features of the new Lincoln MKS.
DEARBORN, Mich., June 24, 2008– Taking a significant leap from the traditional 30- and 60-second broadcast advertising model, luxury automaker Lincoln is delivering a first this week with the national television launch of a three-minute movie featuring the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS.

Shot on location in Hollywood Hills, MadCrazyLove is a three-minute commercial, with accompanying 30- and 15-second spots, that introduces the newest member of the Lincoln family – the 2009 Lincoln MKS – against the backdrop of a fun, romantic story.

The new three-minute spot makes its television debut today during the Black Entertainment Television Awards pre-show. Following the show, the movie will live online at www.lincoln.com and www.lincolnlounge.com.

The 30- and 15-second spots will begin airing today on select cable television and nationally syndicated programs. National print and digital media are included in the media mix and scheduled for rotation beginning in July.

“Studies continue to show that Americans are embracing the Internet in a bigger way and are looking beyond sound bites for broader stories,” says Lincoln Communications Manager Tom Grill. “As this advertising model changes, Lincoln will continue to design fresh and innovative advertising that is hard-hitting and relevant. MadCrazyLove accomplishes just that and introduces our new Lincoln MKS in a fun, yet meaningful way.”

MadCrazyLove – The Movie

Sultry, soft sounds from the legendary Marvin Gaye, a dark, dusky evening, the smooth ride and distinct styling of the 2009 Lincoln MKS luxury sedan set the mood for the story.

MadCrazyLove takes the viewer on a romantic journey that at first glance appears to be centered on a couple’s first encounter. Moving through vibrant images at a cocktail party, cruising through the streets and scenic hills of Hollywood, stopping off for a bite at a local dive, the couple enjoys the simplicity of the evening and the amenities of the Lincoln MKS. As the couple’s evening together marches towards a final scene, the story takes a sudden and unexpected twist that viewers will have to see to enjoy.

Three partner 30-second and one 15-second television teaser spots provide a peek into the MadCrazyLove story, and further details the features of the new MKS, including the sophisticated technology, dynamic design and smooth driving experience.

The 30-second Something Warmer spot showcases the unique craftsmanship of the vehicle’s interior, its fine materials including genuine wood, metal and leather; the 30-second Dual-Moon highlights the dual-panel moonroof, SYNC in-car communication and the split grille design; the 30-second IP touts the next-generation voice-activated navigation and Sirius Travel Link™. The 15-second MadCrazy features the available 20-inch wheels and luxury touch technology.

MadCrazyLove was created by UniWorld Group Inc., the African American Agency of Record for Lincoln.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS

The all-new 2009 Lincoln will begin arriving in dealerships across North America by the end of June. Dynamic and clean-lined, the flagship Lincoln MKS is the first production vehicle to embrace the Lincoln design DNA introduced on the Lincoln MKR concept in 2007.

Priced just more than $38,000 including destination, the vehicle is loaded with class-exclusive features and options, such as the industry-exclusive SYNC, Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel Filler System, SecuriCode™ Next-Generation Keypad, a premium THX-certified audio system, 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats and the voice-activated navigation system with SIRIUS Travel Link.

The Lincoln MKS is powered by a Lincoln-exclusive 3.7-liter V-6 engine mated with a fuel-efficient six-speed transmission. The powertrain has been derived from the proven 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Lincoln MKX, which was voted one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2007.

You are invited to participate in Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] June U.S. sales conference call hosted by George Pipas, U.S. Sales Analysis Manager. The conference call will begin at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, July 1, 2008 and last 45 minutes.

To access the call, please dial 800-299-0433 about 10 minutes prior to the start time and ask to be connected to the Ford sales conference call. For international participants, please dial 617-801-9712. Following the call, a telephone replay will be available through Tuesday, July 8 at 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888 (for international participants), passcode 18342934.

The call also will be webcast live, on a listen-only basis, at www.shareholder.ford.com or www.streetevents.com (subscribers only). Replays will be available on demand.

Ford Motor Company
June U.S. Sales Conference Call
Date Start Time (ET) Phone Number
Conference Call
07/01/08 1:00 p.m. 800-299-0433
Telephone Replays 07/01/08 2:45 p.m. 888-286-8010
(Continuous through 07/08/08) Passcode - 18342934
Webcast at www.shareholder.ford.com or www.streetevents.com (subscribers only).
- Live 07/01/08 1:00 p.m.
- Replays On demand.