18 TALENTED DRIVERS NOW REGISTERD FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Woodcliff  Lake,  NJ  –  March  21,  2005…  BMW  of  North  America,   LLC announced today the six 2005 Formula BMW USA Juniors who will receive a $40,000   scholarship   and   automatic   enrollment   in   Formula   BMW   USA’s Education and Coaching Program.    The   drivers   who   earned   the   scholarships   include   two   Americans,   three Canadians and one Frenchman. Coming from Canada are, Adrien Herberts, 15, of Coquitlam, British Columbia; Kevin LaCroix, 16, of St-Eustache, Quebec; and Robert  Wickens,  16,  of  Etobicoke,  Ontario.  Junior  scholarship  winner  Wade Van  Hooser  declined  the  scholarship  and  the  invitation  was  extended  to  the first-alternate,  Wickens.  If  the  performance  of  2004  Junior  driver  and  Rookie Champion James Hinchcliffe is any indication of the talent North of the border, the 2005 Championship battle will be a tough one. 

 

Formula BMW USA U.S.  entrants  include,  Darin  Marcus,  17,  of  Northbrook,  Ill.:  Nathan  DePagter, 16, of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.; John Zartarian, 17, of Carlsbad, Calif.; Matt Lee, 15, of Syosset, NY; Rob Bunker,16, of Bridgewater, NJ; and, with perhaps the coolest racing name since Speed Racer, Race Johnson, 16, of West Linn, Ore. As  the  start  of  the  2005  Formula  BMW  USA  season  approaches,  officials, teams and drivers are adding the final ingredients to a recipe that will ensure another  excellent  year  of  open-wheel  racing  and  produce  the  next  Formula BMW USA Champion. Over  the  next  two  months,  three  official  tests  will  be  held  at  Road  Atlanta, Virginia International Raceway and Carolina Motorsports Park.   2005 Formula BMW USA Schedule   Official Test Road Atlanta March 21-22 Official Test Virginia Int’l Raceway April 9-10 Official Test Carolina Motorsports Park April 16-17 Round 1 and 2 Laguna Seca Raceway     April 29-May 1   Round 3 and 4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car   May 20-22 Round 5 and 6 Canadian Grand Prix June10-12 Round 7 and 8 United States Grand Prix    June 17-19 Official Test Putnam Park     July 12-13 Round 9 and 10 Barber Motorsports Park    July 29 - 31 Round 11 and 12 Grand Prix of Denver Aug. 12-14 Round 13 and 14 Road Atlanta    Sept. 29 – Oct. 1 Background: Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series will be held in Germany, Britain, Asia and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers as young as 15 years of age are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB2 race car.

 

Formula BMW USA Since  2002,  this  racecar  has  been  seen  on  the  grid  and  has  set  standards particularly on the safety technology front. A single-seater propelled by a 140 bhp BMW motorcycle engine up to 140 miles per hour, it exceeds by far the safety  requirements  for  its  class.  BMW  Motorsport  has  developed  the  FORS Formula  Rescue  Seat  especially  for  Formula  BMW,  and  the  HANS  safety system is also mandatory. In 2005, Formula BMW will be a support race at five different Formula One race weekends  worldwide.  Formula  BMW  offers  a  multifaceted  Education  and Coaching Program, as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents via the Junior  Program.  The  best-known  alumni  of  Formula  BMW  are  Formula  One drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Timo Glock. BMW  Motorsport  Director  Mario  Theissen:  “Formula  BMW  offers  talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Program we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out  of  the  blocks  to  become  the  top  entry-level  class  for  Formula  racing worldwide.”