I read an article a while ago about how BMW sent Mike Essa(from Formula Drift) a letter telling him to debadge his car of all BMW badges and his race suit of all BMW logos. I cannot fathom that a company would not support an enthusiast that uses their product and WIN at their sport! To me this is absolutely crazy! BMW's reason is that Drifting does not represent their brand correctly. Then later they make a video about a self drifting BMW vs a BMW drifted by a Championship Drifter(who was not Essa) and DOES NOT even drive a BMW! I dunno if it should bother me this much, but I find it hard for myself to support BMW. End rant sorry.
I know most of the guys at BMW. I would check my facts before getting too worked up. The guys I know don't have time to mess with something this silly.
I haven't heard of him before, but this link from back in February says he's switched to a Camaro this year: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/02/essa-autosport-to-field-fifth-generation-camaro-ss-in-formula-d-this-season/
Yea, i suspect that's the basis of the story. He certainly says nothing like it on his fb page, and i find nothing googling.
Heard the same story a few months back. Bill Caswell shared it on Facebook. Not that it validates the story, that's just where I heard it from.
I was going to say ask Caswell about his feeling on BMW support
https://www.facebook.com/gsrautosport/posts/10151941587718987
I know its not that big of a deal but it was crazy to me that a sport that has grown so huge and at a very rapid rate you would want to support someone who wins with your product
I think part of it is because BMW is selling new cars to wealthier people that will think that drifting is "foolish kid" stuff or "kids being hooligans". That's if the story is even true. Drifting doesn't quite promote luxury, refinement, and a good driving experience. Ironically, there was a commercial made with BMW M235i's that were drifting around a city block that was just stunning. Motor Trend made a film about it.
Perhaps because drifting has a negative connotation and they don't want their products associated with it.
It's their brand and their image to control, so perhaps one should get all the facts before sentencing them to pergatory....more have we learned nothing from the Tundra Owners Forum?
well.. here is the thing.. can BMW (or any maker) demand that you debadge your car if you are doing something they do not like with it? Especially if you not in any way sponsored by said car company. I understand the firesuit.. that would imply he was sponsored.. but the car itself? I tend to doubt it.. even debadged, a Mustang is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, same with a 3 series, Vette, Supra, and the like
I know that if BMW sent me a similar notice, I would make sure my debadged BMW drift car looked like a LeMons car for the rest of the season.
Perhaps a version of this in place of the badges?
mad_machine wrote:
well.. here is the thing.. can BMW (or any maker) demand that you debadge your car if you are doing something they do not like with it? Especially if you not in any way sponsored by said car company. I understand the firesuit.. that would imply he was sponsored.. but the car itself? I tend to doubt it.. even debadged, a Mustang is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, same with a 3 series, Vette, Supra, and the like
Ferrari did the same thing to DJ Deadmouse, they didn't like the wrap he had on his 458 and sent him a cease and desist to remove the wrap.
fstbandit wrote:
mad_machine wrote:
well.. here is the thing.. can BMW (or any maker) demand that you debadge your car if you are doing something they do not like with it? Especially if you not in any way sponsored by said car company. I understand the firesuit.. that would imply he was sponsored.. but the car itself? I tend to doubt it.. even debadged, a Mustang is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, same with a 3 series, Vette, Supra, and the like
Ferrari did the same thing to DJ Deadmouse, they didn't like the wrap he had on his 458 and sent him a cease and desist to remove the wrap.
Now Lamborghini's selling him a Nyanborghini Purracan.
Ford supports drifting. There were two Mustangs at our ice races. The stock one raced.
The drift car made a video on the day after the races. Same driver.
fstbandit wrote:
mad_machine wrote:
well.. here is the thing.. can BMW (or any maker) demand that you debadge your car if you are doing something they do not like with it? Especially if you not in any way sponsored by said car company. I understand the firesuit.. that would imply he was sponsored.. but the car itself? I tend to doubt it.. even debadged, a Mustang is instantly recognizable as a Mustang, same with a 3 series, Vette, Supra, and the like
Ferrari did the same thing to DJ Deadmouse, they didn't like the wrap he had on his 458 and sent him a cease and desist to remove the wrap.
Not the wrap, the badges. FURRARI. The name change and the script was the same as Ferrari. That's what they made him change. I get that. Don't like it, but I get it.
mad_machine wrote:
well.. here is the thing.. can BMW (or any maker) demand that you debadge your car if you are doing something they do not like with it?
They can "demand" it but they I doubt they have any recourse against you if you refuse.
They could in theory take you court but it is a slippery slope; if I'm at spring break and put a video online of me drunk out of my mind behaving badly and happen to be wearing official BMW gear................what recourse do they have? We could come up with a host of silly scenarios. This is one of those best to consult your attorney. I suspect the legalize answer would be the car badges stay but the ones on the drivers uniform must go.
Tom
