NEWS BY EURO NEWSROOM

Red Bull takes off in France 01.04.2008

Red Bull celebrated its market debut in France with a spectacular performance. The world’s biggest energy-drink producer commemorated the launch in Paris with 150 “Wiiings Teams” from all over Europe that formed an impressive convoy of blue and silver Minis around the Arc de Triomphe. And earlier that morning, a BASE jumper even leaped from the Eiffel Tower.

The Austrian group, known for its unconventional, humorous, polarizing and self-deprecating style, lived up to its reputation as it chose, of all days, April 1 for its start.

The introduction of the world’s favourite energy-drink, which is already available in 140 countries with more than 3.5 billion cans sold in 2007, was highlighted by a rally to the Arc de Triomphe with 150 “Wiiing Teams”. Cars from 10 nations circled the world renowned roundabout on the Champs-Elysées, from which 12 different streets radiate.

“I drove for hours from southern Italy in my Red Bull Mini to be here for the start of Red Bull in France,” said one proud participant.

The celebration day, entitled “Wings for Paris,” began early in the morning with a BASE jump by Switzerland’s Ueli Gegenschatz from the Eiffel Tower. After climbing the 324-meter-high landmark at 4 a.m., he leaped from the platform at dawn. After a free-fall of three seconds he opened his parachute and landed safely in a park. There he was arrested by police but set free a short time later.

In the business district of La Defense, passers-bye were held breathless by French trial biker Julien Dupont as he rode across the 50-meter-wide arch at the CNIT Center Building. Two charming and beautiful women managed to distract the security personnel during the feat.

Free images for editorial purposes only: Andreas Schaad, Balazs Gardi, Dom Daher und Richard Walch for Euro-Newsroom.com