Kevin LaCroix takes first Formula BMW USA victory of the season.
Monterey, California. With a stellar standing start few professional racers ever master, 16 year old BMW Junior and Rookie driver Kevin LaCroix (AIM Autosport) rocketed from his fourth starting position and stole today's Round 1 race from the 19 other Formula BMW USA competitors. With the lead firmly in hand by turn one he led the 15-lap contest flag-to-flag, finishing 1.694 seconds ahead of Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA). Stevens, who started the race from the outside pole, held off a charging John Zartarian (Jensen MotorSport) in the early laps and then Belgium's Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing) in the closing laps. Soulet finished third, after starting fifth.

 

The top-finishing Rookies were LaCroix (P1), Stevens (P2) and John Zartarian (P4). Polesitter Richard Philippe was knocked off the track on the very first lap and was credited with the final finishing position, completing only 12 laps. He set the fastest lap of the race (1:29.605) on his eighth lap.

 

"The start was very good," said an excited LaCroix. "I don't know what I did, but I was like a rocket. Maybe it was because I went to Space Camp. The battles behind me allowed me to focus on the track ahead."

Stevens said, "The start was frustrating as we only had one warm-up lap and thus one less lap to warm up the tires. Kevin got a great start and I picked up a battle from behind so I had to fend them off. By the time I could focus on chasing Kevin, he was too far ahead."

 

Soulet added, "This was my first race in America so I am pleased to finish on the podium, but I know I can do better and the team can do better. I think we will get it right for tomorrow's race."

 

The Round 2 race is scheduled to start at 3:35 p.m. tomorrow.

 

Round 1 - Results (15 laps)

 

1 Kevin LaCroix (R) AIM Autosport 21:19.271
2 Reed Stevens (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 21:20.965
3 Maxime Soulet Gelles Racing 21:22.596
4 John Zartarian (R) Jensen MotorSport 21:25.166
5 James Davison (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 21:25.248
6 Robert Wickens (R) Team Apex Racing USA 21:26.438
7 Rob Bunker (R) AIM Autosport 21:32.023
8 Matthew Lee (R) Twintooth/BRM Motorsport 21:34.107
9 Tom Sutherland HBR Motorsport Team USA 21:36.426
10 Race Johnson (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 21:36.935
11 Justin Moon (R) Gelles Racing 21:44.744
12 Doug Boyer (R) Jensen Motorsport 21:57.789
13 Ryan Phinny (R) Gelles Racing 22:00.803
14 Daniel Herrington Jensen MotorSport 22:13.178
15 Darin Marcus (R) Gelles Racing 22:19.818
16 Adrien Herberts (R) Atlantic Racing Team 22:20.023
17 Derek Burseth Burseth Racing 22:21.832
18 Jules Duc (R) Jensen MotorSport 22:39.697
19 Nathan DePagter (R) DRE Autosport 14 laps
20 Richard Philippe (R) Team Autotecnica 12 laps

 

Championship points after 1 of 14 races:

 

1. Kevin LaCroix (AIM Autosport, 20), 2. Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 15), 3. Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing, 12), 4. John Zartarian (Jensen MotorSport, 10), 5. James Davison (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 8), 6. Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA, 6), 7. Rob Bunker (AIM Autosport, 4), 8. Matthew Lee (Twintooth/BRM Motorsport, 3), 9. Tom Sutherland (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 2), 10. Race Johnson (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 1), 11. Justin Moon (Gelles Racing, 0), 12. Doug Boyer (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 13. Ryan Phinny (Gelles Racing, 0), 14. Daniel Herrington (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 15. Darin Marcus (Gelles Racing, 0), 16. Adrien Herberts (Atlantic Racing Team, 0), 17. Derek Burseth (Burseth Racing, 0), 18. Jules Duc (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 19. Nathan DePagter (DRE Autosport, 0), 20. Richard Philippe (Team Autotecnica, 0)

 

Rookies: 1. Kevin LaCroix (20), 2. Reed Stevens (15), 3. John Zartarian (12), 4. James Davison (10), 5. Robert Wickens (8), 6. Rob Bunker (6), 7. Matthew Lee (4), 8. Race Johnson (3), 9. Justin Moon (2), 10. Doug Boyer (1), 11. Ryan Phinny (0), 12. Darin Marcus (0), 13. Adrien Herberts (0), 14. Jules Duc (0), 15. Nathan DePagter (0), 16. Richard Philippe (0)

 

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-old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.

 

This racing car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds by far the safety requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport has developed the FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat especially for Formula BMW. The HANS safety system is also mandatory.

 

In 2005, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and Christian Klien.

 

BMW Motorsport Director Dr. 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."

 

In December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get the chance to test a BMW WilliamsF1 Team car.

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3.23 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."