By Emily Goddard

US Olympic stars are set to feature in a new film documenting BMW's redesign of the two-man bobsled ©BMW GroupJanuary 3 - United States Olympic bobsleigh medallists Steven Holcomb and Elana Meyers are among the stars to feature in a new film documenting BMW's redesign of the two-man bobsled as the nation aims to end the 78-year gold medal drought in the event at Sochi 2014.

Driving on Ice, which will air on NBC on Sunday (January 5), chronicles BMW's three-year journey with the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF) that saw it redevelop the sleds using its engineering expertise to chase the country's first Winter Olympic gold medal in the discipline since Ivan Brown and Alan Washbond's of 1936.

As well as Vancouver 2010 four-man gold medallist Holcomb and two-woman bronze medallist Meyers, the documentary will also feature Olympic medal winners turned coaches Brian Shimer and Todd Hays, and the project's lead designer Michael Scully.

"To say the bobsled has been a passion project for BMW is an understatement, and seeing this true collaborative effort captured in a documentary is remarkable," said Trudy Hardy, marketing vice-president of BMW of North America, the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

"After years of hard work, it's very rewarding to be able to share the journey with the fans of Team USA."

It is hoped the BMW project will help the US claim its first two-man bobsleigh Olympic gold medal since Ivan Brown and Alan Washbond's of 1936 ©BMW GroupIt is hoped the BMW project will help the US claim its first two-man bobsleigh Olympic gold medal since Ivan Brown and Alan Washbond's of 1936 ©BMW Group

BMW's US Olympic marketing campaign, including a series of documentary-inspired television and digital advertisements featuring the likes of Holcomb and Meyers, and their fellow US bobsledders Curtis Tomasevicz, Steven Langton and Aja Evans along with Scully, is also being launched alongside the film, as well as the return of its national fundraising initiative, Drive for Team USA.

The fundraising programme invites fans to visit their local BMW retailer to support US Olympic and Paralympic athletes by test driving any model, as for each test drive the vehicle manufacturer will make a donation to the team up to a maximum $200,000 (£120,000/€150,000).

"The Drive for Team USA campaign is a powerful connection point for us with both prospective and current BMW owners," Hardy said.

"Americans are passionate about the athletes of Team USA and are excited to do something tangible to contribute to their journey.

"For BMW to enable that transaction is a wonderful contribution to our business."

BMW North America is supporting seven Olympic and Paralympic athletes for Sochi 2014, namely bobsledders Chris Fogt, Steven Langton, Meyers and Tomasevicz; Paralympic alpine skier Alana Nichols; speedskater Heather Richardson and Paralympic snowboarder Evan Strong.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]



Related stories
October 2013: World and Olympic champions among BMW Performance Team announced for Sochi 2014
July 2010: BMW and USOC sign six-year deal