Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) won Round 13 of the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship today at Thunderbolt Raceway, in Millville, N.J. Starting from the pole, the 17-year old Californian finished 8.625 seconds ahead of teammate Giancarlo Vilarinho in the 17-lap contest around the 2.17-mile, 10-turn circuit to extend his lead in the Overall standings. Vilarinho’s runner-up finish was the Brazilian’s best finish of the season. He was the top finishing Rookie in today’s race. Canadian Formula BMW Junior and Rookie Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica), coming on strong from his sixth-place starting position, finished third to retain the lead in the Rookie Championship.

 

Rossi led every lap, setting a race record of 1:19.767 minutes on lap 13, to record his seventh victory from the pole this season. With a 49 point lead in the overall standings he needs to finish higher than fourth in tomorrow’s Round 14 race to clinch the 2008 Formula BMW Americas title.

 

Rookie David Ostella (Eurointernational), starting from a season’s best third grid position, continued his excellent weekend with his best finish of the year - fourth. Formula BMW Junior and Rookie Alexandre Ruiz (Apex-HBR Racing Team) rounded out the top-five to move to second in Rookie points.

 

Rossi said, “I had a good start. That was my first goal. Then my focus was not making mistakes. Turn one got tricky because there was oil and sand so I had to change up my driving to avoid trouble. Luckily car was perfect today and I finished with a good eight second lead. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

 

Vilarinho said, “I hit my brake when green light came on so it wasn’t a good start. I am working everyday to prepare for a good race so I am pleased with the result. I start second again tomorrow and I will concentrate on getting points to move up in the Championship.”

 

Raimondo said, “The race went really well. Going from sixth to third keeps me ahead in the Rookie Championship.”

 

The Round 14 race is scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m. tomorrow.

Race – Round 13 – 17 laps

 

1. Alexander Rossi, Eurointernational, 22:51.904
2. Giancarlo Vilarinho (R), Eurointernational, 23:00.529
3. Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R), Autotecnica, 23:05.251
4. David Ostella (R), Eurointernational, 23:06.347
5. Alexandre Ruiz (J, R), Apex-HBR Racing Team, 23:07.670
6. Jorge Goncalvez, Apex-HBR Racing Team, 23:09.866
7. Ricardo Favoretto, Autotecnica, 23:11.436
8. Mikael Grenier (J, R), Apex-HBR Racing Team, 23:29.456
9. Alfonso Toledano, Eurointernational, 23:50.129

 

J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie

 

Overall points standings following 13 of 17 Rounds:

 

1. Rossi, 186
2. Favoretto, 137
3. Raimondo, 110
4. Ruiz, 100
5. Grenier, 96
6. Vilarinho, 92
7. Goncalvez, 80
8. Pelletier, 77
9. Ostella, 53
10. Jovanovic, 20
11. Dalenberg, 4
12. Toledano, 2

 

Rookie points:

 

1. Raimondo, 110
2. Ruiz, 100
3. Grenier, 96
4. Vilarinho, 92
5. Ostella, 53
6. Jovanovic, 20

 

Team Points:

 

1. Eurointernational, 351
2. Apex-HBR Racing Team, 254
3. Autotecnica, 143
4. Jensen Motorsport, 24

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