Formula BMW Pacific 2010 Scholarship Trials.

Chance of a lifetime for future stars.



Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Formula BMW Pacific today announced details of its driver evaluation and Scholarship Trials for the 2010 season. From September 1 – 2, 2009, at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, young karters from across the region are invited to take part in a professional training and assessment programme organised by BMW Motorsport which could possibly change their lives.

During the Trials a number of Formula BMW Pacific scholarships will be up for grabs. Each scholarship includes a Euro 50,000 contribution towards a full season in Formula BMW Pacific, plus free enrolment in the unique, season-long Education and Training programme.

Drivers aged between 16-21, who have not previously participated in any international race series and no more than 10 national meetings, are eligible to compete for a scholarship. However, the trial, which gives all young drivers an important assessment and driver training from BMW Motorsport professionals, is open to all.

An early-bird registration fee of Euro €2,600, which covers the cost of everything except transportation and accommodation, is available until July 1, after which the cost is Euro €2,900. For entry forms and information on scholarship eligibility, potential applicants should contact Formula BMW Pacific Series Manager Mark Turner (mark.turner@partner.formulabmw.com).

For drivers ineligible for a scholarship, due to age or experience, the training and assessment programme provides a valuable opportunity to receive expert tuition and guidance. The programme also provides those preparing to enter the region’s premier single seater entry series with an introduction to the FB02 racing car.

While five graduates of Formula BMW in Europe, where the formula has been established for longer than in Asia-Pacific, are already competing in Formula One, alumni and Juniors from this region are busy working their way up the career ladder of international motorsport.

Former Formula BMW Pacific Junior Daniel Ricciardo is currently fast making a name for himself in British Formula 3. The 19-year old was selected as a Formula BMW Pacific Junior for the 2006 season, where the Australian placed second in the Rookie Cup and third overall in the Drivers Classification with Eurasia Motorsport.

That year Ricciardo rounded off a brilliant debut season by not only finishing in the top five in the Formula BMW World Final, but also picking up a special achievement award in Valencia, Spain. Beating both the Formula BMW UK and USA series winners to finish 5th in the World Final, organisers judged his performance throughout the weekend to be exceptional in sportsmanship and in driving discipline and style.



Fast forward to 2009, and Ricciardo is currently considered one to watch in British Formula 3, after winning three out of the season’s first four starts and impressing throughout winter testing.

Other former Formula BMW Juniors from the region are currently furthering their international motorsport careers. India’s Armaan Ebrahim, a Junior in 2005, competed in the 2008 season of GP2 Asia. Ebrahim has also been a Team India A1GP driver and has competed in the Formula Renault V6 series. Fellow 2005 Junior Michael Patrizi of Australia is competing in the popular V8 Supercar Championship, while 2006 Junior Aaron Lim has been given the honour of representing Malaysia in A1GP. More recently, 2007 Junior Ross Jamison of Hong Kong won the 2008 Formula BMW Pacific title in convincing fashion.

As the influence of the Asia Pacific region continues to grow in the world of top-level motorsport, the development of the region’s own talent becomes increasingly important. Formula BMW Pacific not only recognizes this imperative, but continues to lead the charge.

Background:

Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level series in formula racing. In 2009 the three Formula BMW series – Formula BMW Europe, Formula BMW Pacific and Formula BMW Americas – will be held in the key motor sport markets of Europe, pan-Asia and North and South America. Formula BMW will be regularly held in the support programme of Formula One. The series gives young racing talents the chance to enter professional motor sport in a safe racing car – the Formula BMW FB02.

The FB02 has been in use since season 2002. It is powered by a 140 hp BMW engine that takes it to a top speed of up to 230 km/h. It ranks among the safest vehicles in its category and exceeds the FIA safety regulations that govern this class of car. Innovations such as the FORS (Formula Rescue Seat) were developed by BMW Motorsport specifically for Formula BMW. Following Formula One, Formula BMW was the first single-seater series outside the US in which the HANS system was made mandatory.

Formula BMW drivers have the opportunity to take part in an Education and Coaching Programme that runs parallel with the racing season. The programme includes driver coaching at the races by professional race drivers, attending a Formula One test, fitness courses, tuition in driving technique and strategy, as well as seminars on sponsoring and sport management.

Among the 20 team drivers in this season’s Formula One, there are now five Formula BMW graduates: Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Sebastian Vettel, Sebastién Buemi and Timo Glock.

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