Article from 'www.motorsport.com'

Rouns five, six preview

Racing series	FBMW-AP
Date	2005-06-01

Thai hopes pinned on Boughey.

Bira, Thailand - BMW Junior Robert T. Boughey (Team Meritus) will need strong shoulders next weekend as he carries the hopes of his country as the sole Thai driver in the Formula BMW Asia field.

The 22-year-old, who was runner up in the Rookie Cup last year, began the season determined to clinch the championship proper this time around. His victory, his first, in Bahrain in April and his second place finish in Sepang last month, put him fourth on the leaderboard going into Rounds 5 and 6.

Thailand has a long tradition of motorsport, with its only circuit named after Prince Birabongse who competed in World Championship Grands Prix more than half a Century ago. It is perhaps surprising then that Boughey is the lone Thai in the field of Asia's most talented single seater aspirants: "I hope that I can provide some inspiration to those who want to race internationally," he said. "Also, to be the one who can perhaps re-light the spark in the motorsport industry in Thailand."

Boughey is benefiting greatly from his second year in the Formula BMW Education & Coaching Programme, and is a diligent student. However, having attained a high level of fitness, he is now concentrating on other elements which contribute to success on the race track: "My main priority before Malaysia (Round 3&4) was fitness. After the event however, my priority has shifted dramatically to a more mental side. I have been practising meditation so that I can harness the abilities that I'm sure I possess more effectively."

Although Boughey is confident of a good showing in the upcoming races - despite the inevitable added pressure of racing "at home" - there is little doubt that current championship leader Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E- Rain) will be a front runner. However, the truly pan-Asian field is packed to the gills this year with talent. Formula BMW Asia Junior, 15- year-old Armaan Ebrahim (Team E-Rain), who tasted victory last month in just his fourth outing in the car to put him second on the leaderboard, is bound to be right on the pace, as is 19-year-old fellow Rookie Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus).

Rounds 5&6 of Formula BMW Asia will be held on June 12 over 20 laps of the 2.4km tight and twisting Bira Circuit.

pprplue/bmw.asia

-www.press.bmw.com