and he is "planning to run even fastest in 2009"
Two of a kind
Bolt, new BMW M3 Coupe both built for speed
BY KAYON RAYNOR Senior staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, December 13, 2008
THE world's fastest man, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, is now in position of one of the world's fastest cars.
Bolt - the 100m and 200 metres world record holder - yesterday drove home his 2009 BMW M3 Coupe which was purchased for his birthday by his sportswear sponsor, PUMA.
The stylish black, three door, six-speed M3 'Bimmer', which has a street value of J$15.2 million, adds nicely to the triple Olympic gold medallists two other vehicles - a 2002 Honda Torneo and 2003 Accord Euro R.
Triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt (second right) shows off the key to his stylish black, three-door, six-speed 2009 BMW M3 Coupe, which was purchased by his main sponsor PUMA for his 22nd birthday. Ricard Stewart (left) of Stewart Motors, who imported the car and Carl Chang, PUMA's Jamaican distributor who handed over the key to Bolt, share in the moment. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
"I'm feeling good, I'm all smiles as you can see, I really appreciate it and I thank PUMA," Bolt told journalists after collecting his keys from PUMA's Jamaican distributor Carl Chang at the head offices of Stewart Motors on Orchard Road in Kingston yesterday.
Sporting World understands that Bolt was given a five per cent duty concession to import the car, which is being insured by Advantage General free, for one year.
"I've been working hard over the years and it shows that hard work does pay off, (so) I'm looking forward to taking it out now and driving it," the lanky sprinter added.
On August 23, two days after Bolt celebrated his birthday, PUMA's CEO Jochen Zeitz gave the sprinter a miniature version of the BMW M3.
Zeitz announcement came a day after the Glen Mills-coached sprinter ran the third leg of the 4x100m to help Jamaica win the gold medal and smash the world record by posting 37.10secs.
"Usain, I'm not sure we can top the medals you won this week, but we didn't want you to miss out on a birthday celebration. So, we would like to present you with a special gift that we heard you've had your eye on in Jamaica. It's a fully-loaded BMW M3, and we'll be sending you the real thing when you get home." Zeitz said at the time.
With his very fast BMW M3 that goes from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, Bolt is planning to run even fastest in 2009.
"That's the aim really to get faster every season and I'll be working hard as usual. It's a good combination, fast car and fast person," the smiling Bolt added.
Armed with the lessons he had at the BMW School in Germany last month prior to collecting the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year Award in Monaco, Bolt says he'll be extra careful on the Jamaican roads.
"The car has a special traction control feature and the guys say as long as I don't take that off it shouldn't be a problem and I'm a very cautious person," Bolt assured, adding, "I don't drive crazy, I know how to handle myself and the road, so it (safety) shouldn't be a problem."
Two of a kind
Bolt, new BMW M3 Coupe both built for speed
BY KAYON RAYNOR Senior staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, December 13, 2008
THE world's fastest man, Jamaica's Usain Bolt, is now in position of one of the world's fastest cars.
Bolt - the 100m and 200 metres world record holder - yesterday drove home his 2009 BMW M3 Coupe which was purchased for his birthday by his sportswear sponsor, PUMA.
The stylish black, three door, six-speed M3 'Bimmer', which has a street value of J$15.2 million, adds nicely to the triple Olympic gold medallists two other vehicles - a 2002 Honda Torneo and 2003 Accord Euro R.
Triple Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt (second right) shows off the key to his stylish black, three-door, six-speed 2009 BMW M3 Coupe, which was purchased by his main sponsor PUMA for his 22nd birthday. Ricard Stewart (left) of Stewart Motors, who imported the car and Carl Chang, PUMA's Jamaican distributor who handed over the key to Bolt, share in the moment. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
"I'm feeling good, I'm all smiles as you can see, I really appreciate it and I thank PUMA," Bolt told journalists after collecting his keys from PUMA's Jamaican distributor Carl Chang at the head offices of Stewart Motors on Orchard Road in Kingston yesterday.
Sporting World understands that Bolt was given a five per cent duty concession to import the car, which is being insured by Advantage General free, for one year.
"I've been working hard over the years and it shows that hard work does pay off, (so) I'm looking forward to taking it out now and driving it," the lanky sprinter added.
On August 23, two days after Bolt celebrated his birthday, PUMA's CEO Jochen Zeitz gave the sprinter a miniature version of the BMW M3.
Zeitz announcement came a day after the Glen Mills-coached sprinter ran the third leg of the 4x100m to help Jamaica win the gold medal and smash the world record by posting 37.10secs.
"Usain, I'm not sure we can top the medals you won this week, but we didn't want you to miss out on a birthday celebration. So, we would like to present you with a special gift that we heard you've had your eye on in Jamaica. It's a fully-loaded BMW M3, and we'll be sending you the real thing when you get home." Zeitz said at the time.
With his very fast BMW M3 that goes from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, Bolt is planning to run even fastest in 2009.
"That's the aim really to get faster every season and I'll be working hard as usual. It's a good combination, fast car and fast person," the smiling Bolt added.
Armed with the lessons he had at the BMW School in Germany last month prior to collecting the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year Award in Monaco, Bolt says he'll be extra careful on the Jamaican roads.
"The car has a special traction control feature and the guys say as long as I don't take that off it shouldn't be a problem and I'm a very cautious person," Bolt assured, adding, "I don't drive crazy, I know how to handle myself and the road, so it (safety) shouldn't be a problem."
Comment