Formula BMW Asia announces unbeatable package for 2007.

Malaysia, September 12, 2006 -- A career in international motorsport will be within the grasp of an even greater number of Asian youngsters from next year as the Teams announce a 22-race, six-event Formula BMW Asia standard season package for 130,000 USD, making the region's most prestigious single seater series also the most financially competitive.

The provisional calendar for 2007 features four races per weekend, plus two rounds held as official support events to the 2007 Formula 1 Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The season will get underway in May following an official introductory test the previous month, and will see Formula BMW Asia travel to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, with three meetings in China: In the country's Capital Beijing, in Shanghai, and in Zhuhai in Southern China. Five of the six events will be held as part of the Asian Festival of Speed.

The new financial package represents a cost of less than 6000 USD per race in a series which, since its launch in 2003, has become the number one choice for youngsters embarking on a motor racing career.

With the support of racing colossus BMW Motorsport, and all the associated benefits of decades of successful racing experience in every category, Formula BMW Asia stands head and shoulders above its competitors -- from the advanced safety and other features of the FB02 car, to the expertise of the organisers and the promotion of the series -- and its graduates are already well on the way to the very top of the sport.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW has been created specifically to provide young drivers with the very highest standards of professionalism, safety and education with which to launch their motorsport careers. With this new package, the aspirations of so many more can be realised and it will ensure that Formula BMW Asia continues to attract the most exceptional and gifted drivers in the region."

BMW Motorsport has also confirmed five Scholarships will be up for grabs for next season, each worth 50,000 USD, including a 10,000 USD credit for a spare engine and spare parts. BMW Scholarship winners also have the benefit of a full year in the comprehensive Education and Coaching Programme free of charge, and the trials to find Asia's brightest talent will be held at the beginning of March 2007. One Scholarship will automatically be awarded to the winner of this season's Rookie Cup.

With the new financial package, and scholarships available for 2007, Formula BMW Asia is now embarking on a regional driver search from amongst the hundreds of karters within across South East Asian nations, New Zealand and Australia. Youngsters will be given a taste of the Formula BMW Experience, with some basic theory and a chance to actually get behind the wheel of the FB02.

Drivers interested in joining the series should contact Formula BMW Asia Series Manager, Matthijs Hoitink at matthijs@motorsportasia.com.

Meanwhile, the 2006 season continues its sweep across Asia, with the drivers gearing up to make their mark in front of the Formula 1 fraternity in Shanghai later this month. There, the four current BMW Junior drivers will meet up with the BMW Sauber F1 Team for the second time this year and get a glimpse of what could be their future.

From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo in Spain will host the second Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series, including Asia, will compete against each other with the winner receiving a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

For Asia's brightest and best, making the transition from a go kart to a Formula 1 car is now closer than ever before.

-credit: bmw.asia