Both Bruno Spengler and professional golfer Martin Kaymer have had the ultimate career-changing moments in time this season, with the Canadian finally realizing his dream of becoming DTM Champion for 2012 with Team Schnitzer, and BMW Brand Ambassador Kaymer being the man to sink the winning putt for Team Europe at this year’s Ryder Cup – in his eyes, the most important shot in his life.
Both these sporting characters showed their true resolve this year, as Spengler came back from at most, a 40-point gap between himself and series leader Gary Paffett, to secure one of the three titles BMW secured in its comeback year with the DTM. Kaymer was the final piece of the resurgence shown by Team Europe, to ensure the return of the Ryder Cup to Europe from the USA, with the victory being dedicated to the late Seve Ballesteros.
Their skills in both driving and golf were put to the test in the BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge in Kühtai, located in the Austrian Tyrol, which would also involve a sledge race between the two friends, as Spengler is a keen golfer when he is not competing on the racetrack. Temperatures may have a bit on the low side, reaching -15 degrees Celsius at times, but this did not dampen the enthusiasm of both competitive sportsmen, who set off in their 4-wheel drive BMWs, a M550d xDrive and 6 Series Coupé xDrive in the first part of the challenge up the Pirchkogel.
They then both teed off on the golfing side of the challenge, from a cable car of all places, before going down the valley on sledges, resulting in a fitting end to a fun day for both, as it was declared a dead heat between both Bruno and Martin.
“Martin was a tough opponent, but that much was already clear before we started I am an enthusiastic golfer myself, and obviously followed the action at the Ryder Cup closely as he sank that putt under such immense pressure,” said the newly crowned 2012 Champion. “He showed nerves of steel again today. It was great to compete against Martin in the BMW xDrive Mountain Challenge and to overcome all these challenges.”
Kaymer said: “Today I learned exactly why Bruno Spengler won the DTM. He is simply impossible to shake off and fights right down to the last second. The duel with him was tougher than a lot of what I usually experience on the golf course. This kind of competition between sportsmen is great fun. It was a fantastic day.”
