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PREVIEW: FORMULA BMW USA; ROUNDS 3 & 4, CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE

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PREVIEW: FORMULA BMW USA; ROUNDS 3 & 4, CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE

Written by Jeff Seabrook

Thursday June 10, 2004

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. - June 10, 2004... Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2004 Formula BMW USA Championship may allow some competitors a glimpse into their futures when the Championship travels to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in support of the Canadian Grand Prix on June 11-13.

The next two weeks will be very busy ones for the drivers and teams of the Formula BMW USA Championship as they follow the Formula 1 World Championship through North America. "Formula BMW USA is the only open-wheel series to support the two North American Grands Prix," said Alex Schmuck, Formula BMW USA Manager. "That statement in itself proves the commitment of BMW to developing and showcasing young driving talent."

After two exciting and very competitive opening rounds at Lime Rock Park on May 29 and 31, Andreas Wirth (HBR Motorsport) leads 15 other young competitors in the points standings. Wirth was a double victor at Lime Rock, winning both races by a total of less than one second. In Round 1 he topped James Hinchcliffe (AIM Autosport) by just .443 seconds. Only .503 seconds separated Wirth and Matt Jaskol (Team Autotecnica) at the checkered flag in Round 2.

Matt Jaskol won the pole position for both races, but a mechanical problem while leading Round 1 kept his Red Bull machine out of the points. He led Round 2 early, but had to settle for second.

Three Canadians will be making one of the most important starts in their young careers in support of their country's Grand Prix. James Hinchcliffe, of Markham, Ontario leads the Rookie standings after his second and fifth place finishes at Lime Rock. Fellow BMW Junior driver Trevor Daley calls Brampton, Ontario home and Kyle Herder (Atlantic Racing Team) resides in Stouffville, Ontario.

Practice and qualifying for both Rounds 3 and 4 will be held on Friday, June 11th. Round 3 is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. EDT Saturday and Round 4 is scheduled prior to the Canadian Grand Prix at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Championship points after 2 of 14 races:

1. Andreas Wirth (HBR Motorsport, 40), 2. James Hinchcliffe (AIM Autosport, 23), 3. Joey Hand (Team PTG Motorsport, 22), 4. Brian Frisselle (Atlantic Racing Team, 18), 5. Matt Jaskol (Team Autotecnica, 15), 6. Billy Johnson (Team PTG Motorsport, 14), 7. Jonathan Summerton (HBR Motorsport, 10), 8. Gerardo Bonilla (Jensen Motorsport, 8), 9. Tom Milner (Team PTG Motorsport, 6), 10. Trevor Daley (Atlantic Racing Team, 4), 11. Alan Sciuto (Jensen Motorsport, 1), 12. Graham Rahal (Vitesse Farm Racing, 1), 13. Kyle Herder (Atlantic Racing Team, 0), 14. Tom Sutherland (Team PTG Motorsport, 0), 15. Derek Burseth (Atlantic Racing Team, 0), 16. Alexis Fenton (Team Autotecnica, 0)

Rookies: 1. James Hinchcliffe (23), 2. Jonathan Summerton (10), 3. Tom Milner (6), 4. Trevor Daley (4), 5. Alan Sciuto (1), 6. Graham Rahal (1) 7. Tom Sutherland (0), 8. Derek Burseth (0), 9. Alexis Fenton (0)

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.

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