Media Information

Update on Team DOME-BMW in 2004 Dakar Rally

At 12 noon Thursday January 8th – Day 8

It has been the toughest couple of days imaginable for Team Dome BMW’s Nick Plumb, who has
finally had to admit that his dream of finishing the 2004 Telefonica Dakar Rally is almost certainly
over. Currently the 25-year-old is lost in the desert after suffering a battery failure (possibly due to
accident damage from the previous day) on his BMW F650 GS on the seventh stage of the rally
from Tan-Tan to Atar.

Nick’s problems began on stage six of the rally on Tuesday, when his modified rear aftermarket
air suspension unit failed. Ever resourceful, Nick had been carrying a solid rod just in case this
happened, which he was able to fit and transform his BMW F650 GS into a "hardtail" – not
comfortable but effective nonetheless. However, several hours delay in rectifying this situation
meant that Nick and Simon arrived too late at the bivouac to get any sleep before starting
yesterday’s mammoth 1000 km stage – with limited opportunity for the bikes to be worked on
during the night.

Nick and Simon battled through yesterday’s rally stage from Morocco into Mauritania – without a
doubt one of the hardest days in the entire event with deep sand, ergs, dust and rutted tracks to
contend with. When Nick’s battery failed, push starting the BMW was almost impossible in the
desert conditions. He was able to get assistance with jump-starting the machine but it would cut out
at high revs.

Simon and Nick both agreed that Simon would carry on and complete yesterday’s stage and
continue the rally, so the two riders split up several kilometers from checkpoint four. However,
Nick was not picked up by the sweeper vehicle yesterday and appears to have spent the night in
the desert on his own.

Following a call from Nick’s satellite phone (mandatory for all competitors) the rally organizers
have been contacted and are currently organizing a helicopter and search party for Nick.

Simon has started today’s 393km stage from Atar to Tidjikja and is through Checkpoint 1 of the
timed 355km special section, and further information about the 36-year-old Australian’s progress
will be released as soon as it is available.

For further press information please contact one of the following:
Andy Dukes / Kylie Maebus 08000 131 282

The BMW media website, called Pressclub, contains all our press releases, press packs and a
selection of company information as well as high resolution, downloadable photographs. You will
need to register at the site to gain full access.

www.press.bmwgroup.com