Bobby Rahal to chair U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Foundation

BMW has been responsible for some odd combinations over the years – the 5 Series GT being one of the most obvious – but now it's reported that the automaker has helped team up the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation with none other than legendary open-wheel racer and team owner, Bobby Rahal. Rahal will be chairman and ambassador for the newly founded USA Bobsled and Skeleton Foundation nonprofit organization.

The USABSF was created to support its current athletes as well as fund youth programs and technological advancements, and Rahal's job is to help develop the sport, find new sources of fundraising and recruit new board members. Over the last three winter Olympic games, the U.S. bobsled and skeleton teams have amassed nine medals, and they are looking to continue their dominance in the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia with Rahal's help.

Rahal was introduced to the USBSF CEO Darrin Steele (shown on the left in the image above) at a race in Sebring, Fla. in 2011 and the two met again this year at the Indianapolis 500. The official announcement was made last week during the Baltimore Grand Prix weekend.

Curt Tomasevicz (on the right in the image above) is a two-time world champion in the four-man bobsled and he was also on the 2010 gold medal Olympic team.