Richard Philippe Scores Round 2 Win.
Monterey, California. BMW Junior and Rookie driver Richard Philippe (Team Autotecnica) took a flag-to-flag victory in Round 2 of the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship today. He completed 15 laps around the 2.238-mile Laguna Seca Raceway in the 30-minute contest, finishing 1.908 seconds ahead of Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing). Held off by Soulet in a race-long battle, Round 1 winner Kevin LaCroix (AIM Autosport) finished third. In redeeming his last place finish in Round 1 Philippe was credited with the fastest lap of the race (1:30.961) on lap nine.

 

The race was marked by two full-course caution periods, but the top-three never changed. After a fine second place finish in Round 1, Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA) had to fight an uphill battle in today's race. Starting in the 20th position because of a problem in qualifying, he drove hard to finish eighth and end the weekend fourth in the Championship Points standings.

The top-finishing Rookies were Philippe (P1), LaCroix (P3) and Robert Wickens (P4). By benefit of his Round 1 win and third place finish today, Kevin LaCroix holds the Championship lead with 32 points. With a second and a third, Maxime Soulet stands second (27), Richard Philippe (20) third, Reed Stevens (18) fourth and Robert Wickens (16) fifth. LaCroix also leads the Rookie Championship with 35 points. Philippe stands second (20), Wickens third (20), Davison fourth (20) and Stevens fifth (20).

 

"It was a well-deserved victory for Team Autotecnica," said Philippe. "Yesterday, I made a mistake and I paid for it. I may pay for it in the points for a long while, but that's racing. Today, I came back to the top and am happy."

 

Soulet said, "We had everything to learn here this weekend and I am happy to finish twice on the podium. First is always my goal, but I am pleased to stand second in the Championship."
LaCroix added, "We still have a lot of work to do because Richard has been very fast. We have made set-up changes, but we are not quite there yet. Still, I am confident looking towards Mid-Ohio and am pleased to lead the Championship.

 

Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship will be held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on May 20-22.

 

Round 2 - Results (15 laps)

 

1 Richard Philippe (R) Team Autotecnica 27:52.458
2 Maxime Soulet Gelles Racing 27:54.366
3 Kevin LaCroix (R) AIM Autosport 27:54.975
4 Robert Wickens (R) Team Apex Racing USA 27:55.566
5 James Davison (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 27:56.298
6 Justin Moon (R) Gelles Racing 27:56.691
7 Rob Bunker (R) AIM Autosport 27:58.416
8 Reed Stevens (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 27:58.998
9 Matthew Lee (R) Twintooth/BRM Motorsport 27:59.958
10 Race Johnson (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 28:00.664
11 Darin Marcus (R) Gelles Racing 28:06.746
12 Doug Boyer (R) Jensen Motorsport 28:07.437
13 Derek Burseth Burseth Racing 28:13.233
14 Tom Sutherland HBR Motorsport Team USA 28:18.173
15 Nathan DePagter (R) DRE Autosport 28:21.410
16 John Zartarian (R) Jensen Motorsport 28:39.239
17 Jules Duc (R) Jensen Motorsport 28:44.896
18 Ryan Phinny (R) Gelles Racing 12 laps
19 Daniel Herrington Jensen Motorsport 8 laps
20 Adrien Herberts (R) Atlantic Racing Team 2 laps

 

Championship Standings:

 

1. Kevin LaCroix (AIM Autosport, 32), 2. Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing, 27), 3. Richard Philippe (Team Autotecnica, 20), 4. Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 18), 5. Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA, 16), 6. James Davison (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 16), 7. John Zartarian (Jensen Motorsport, 10), 8. Rob Bunker (AIM Autosport, 8), 9. Justin Moon (Gelles Racing, 6), 10. Matthew Lee (Twintooth/BRM Motorsport, 5), 11. Tom Sutherland (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 2), 12. Race Johnson (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 2), 13. Doug Boyer (Jensen Motorsport, 0), 14. Ryan Phinny (Gelles Racing, 0), 15. Daniel Herrington (Jensen Motorsport, 0), 16. Darin Marcus (Gelles Racing, 0), 17. Adrien Herberts (Atlantic Racing Team, 0), 18. Derek Burseth (Burseth Racing, 0), 19. Jules Duc (Jensen Motorsport, 0), 20. Nathan DePagter (DRE Autosport, 0),

 

Rookies: 1. Kevin LaCroix (35), 2. Richard Philippe (20), 3. Robert Wickens (20), 4. James Davison (20), 5. Reed Stevens (19), 6. John Zartarian (12), 7. Rob Bunker (12), 8. Justin Moon (10), 9. Matthew Lee (7), 10. Race Johnson (5), 11. Doug Boyer (1), 12. Darin Marcus (1), 13. Nathan DePagter (0) 14. Jules Duc (0), 15. Ryan Phinny (0), 16. Adrien Herberts (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.