“I am very happy to have won my first race in the United States,” said Wirth. “It was difficult at the beginning, but after 10 laps the car felt very good so I began to move up. When I saw Jaskol on the side of the track I knew it was my chance.” Hinchcliffe added, “These Formula BMW machines are great to drive and AIM Autosport has done a great job in preparing my FB2. I had a clean race, kept my head down, and moved up one car at a time. I focused on getting a good run down the hill, popping out of line going into turn one, and getting my passes done under braking.” Team PTG Motorsport driver Hand said, “I had hoped to be able to pass one car per lap. I picked turn one as the place and was able to move up. It was tough getting past my teammates so all the Team PTG Motorsport cars are making progress. I am glad that I have be given the chance to help the program.” “What an exciting race to start Formula BMW USA,” said Alex Schmuck, Formula BMW USA Manager. “Our congratulations to Andreas and HBR Motorsport and to everyone of our competitors. If this first race is any indication of what to expect from our season we will have a very exciting year.” The top-three finishing rookies were second-place Hinchcliffe (AIM Autosport), fourth-place Jonathan Summerton (HBR Motorsport) and eighth-place Tom Milner (Team PTG Motorsport). Race 1 – Results - 21 laps 1.   Andreas Wirth                  (HBR Motorsport) 2.   James Hinchcliffe (R) (AIM Autosport) 3.   Joey Hand (Team PTG Motorsport) 4.   Jonathan Summerton (R) (HBR Motorsport) 5.   Billy Johnson       (Team PTG Motorsport) 6.   Brian Frisselle             (Atlantic Racing Team) 7.   Gerardo Bonilla (Jensen Motorsport) 8.   Tom Milner (R)                 (Team PTG Motorsport) 9.   Trevor Daley (R)              (Atlantic Racing Team)10. Graham Rahal (R)               (Vitesse Farm Racing) continued – 11. Alan Sciuto (R)                 (Jensen Motorsport) 12. Matt Jaskol (Team Autotecnica) 13. Tom Sutherland (R)         (Team PTG Motorsport) 14. Derek Burseth (R)            (Atlantic Racing Team) 15. Kyle Herder                      (Atlantic Racing Team) 16. Alexis Fenton (R)             (Team Autotecnica) BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen adds, “Our junior talent promotion program is an intensive basic education for successful kart drivers who want to move up into Formula racing. Our priorities are to create a level playing field through technically identical vehicles and scrupulously defined regulations, and to ensure maximum safety.” The ultra-modern Formula BMW racecar, which allows 15-year-olds to enter the world of motor racing, has been lining up on the grid all around the world since the 2002 season. It sets standards above all on the safety technology front. The single- seater, powered by a 140 bhp BMW motorcycle engine producing speeds up to 140 mph, features a carbon-fiber chassis and fulfils the safety requirements of the much higher-performance Formula 3 cars. In 2004, Formula BMW will be staged in four different series held in Germany, England, Asia and the USA. Formula BMW events will be part of the Formula One support program on five occasions around the world. All the series go hand-in-hand with a comprehensive education and coaching program, as well as substantial financial backing for promising young talent. The most distinguished graduate is Ralf Schumacher. The star of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team made his racing debut in the junior class in 1992.