Formula BMW Asia and PT BMW Indonesia have selected four talented local karters from which one will be chosen to participate in the 2008 Scholarship Qualifying trials.
The candidates are Ryan Haryanto, Rama Danindro, Yulda Saputra and Al Semiawan, all of whom will participate in the Formula BMW Experience at the Sentul circuit on July 23/24. The driver deemed to have the greatest potential will take part in the Scholarship Trails for the 2008 season, and have the chance to earn a 50.000 USD cash contribution to the cost of the season and enrolment in the Education & Coaching Programme, the driver development scheme which is unrivalled in the region. All costs associated with participation in the Trials will be covered by PT BMW Indonesia.
As Formula BMW Asia moves to Indonesia for the next four of the 22-round season, all but two of this year’s field will be facing the brand new challenge of the country’s Sentul Circuit. Only James Grunwell (18/THA/Team Meritus) and Indonesian racer Zahir Ali (19/Team TARADTM) have raced on the 3.965km track before.
Current Driver Classification leader Jazeman Jaafar (MAS/Team Meritus) will be looking to extend his 65 point lead, but arch rival and team mate Grunwell will have other ideas. Jaafar proved dominant in the first eight races, all run at Malaysia’s Sepang Circuit, but it remains to be seen if he can maintain the advantage on unfamiliar territory. Ali meanwhile will be hoping for a change in fortunes having started the season strongly, taking a win in Round 3.
Says Chief Formula BMW Instructor Christopher Wassermann of the Indonesian circuit: “Sentul is one of the fastest circuits in Formula BMW Asia. Its rough and abrasive surface, combined with the hot and humid weather conditions, make it a very demanding circuit for both man and machine. With the long start and final straight, slipstreaming will be the key to success. ”
Formula BMW Asia made its Indonesian debut last year when Grunwell set the fastest lap in one race, and made it to the podium after a tussle with Ali saw the Indonesian spin out.
Three 2007 BMW Junior drivers top the hotly-contested Rookie Cup championship going in to Round 9, with Hong Kong’s Ross Jamison (17/Team Meritus) and the series’ first South African driver Kyle Mitchell (16/Eurasia Motorsport) tied at the top on 237 points apiece, with India’s Akhil Khushlani trailing them by just 7 points. China’s David Zhu (16/Team Meritus) lies 7th and is fast finding his feet having notched up a podium finish already this season, while Shohei Shiromoto of Japan (17/Team E-Rain) trails him by 7 points.
With scores to be settled and reputations made, the competition in the upcoming races promises to be as hot as the searing temperatures of Indonesia.
Championship Points Tables after Round 8.
Driver Classification
1. Jazeman Jaafar (MAS/Team Meritus) 339 points; 2. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 274 points; 3. (tied) Ross Jamison (HKG/Team Meritus) and Kyle Mitchell (RSA/Eurasia Motorsport) 237 points; 5. Akhil Khushlani (IND/Eurasia Motorsport) 220 points; 6. Zahir Ali (INA/TARADTM) 205 points; 7. Sean McDonagh (USA/Team E-Rain) 178 points; 8. Johan Adzmi (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 165 points; 9. Imran Shaharom (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 162 points; 10. David Zhu (CHN/Team Meritus) 147 points; 11. Shohei Shiromoto (JPN/Team E-Rain) 140 points; 12. Melvin Moh (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 138; 13. Dennis Vollmair (GER/Engstler Racing) 126 points; 14. Cchiranjeev R. Bedi (IND/Engstler Bollywood racing) 92 points; 15. Huzair Harun (MAS/Team Meritus) 38 points.
Rookie Cup
1. (tied) Jamison and Mitchell 237; 3. Khushlani 220; 4. McDonagh 178; 5. Adzmi 165; 6. Shaharom 162; 7. Zhu 147; 8. Shiromoto 140; 9. Moh 138; 10. Vollmair 126; 11. R. Bedi 92; 12. Harun 38.
Nations Cup
1. Malaysia, 76; 2. Thailand, 59; 3. South Africa, 49; 4. Hong Kong, 47; 5. India, 42; 6. Indonesia, 40; 7. USA, 31; 8. China, 28; 9. Japan, 21; 10. Germany, 19.
Team Classification
1. Team Meritus 666; 2. Eurasia Motorsport, 457; 3. Team Holzer PFX, 383; 4. Team E-Rain, 318; 5. Team TARADTM, 202; 6. Engstler Motorsport, 166; 7. Engstler Bollywood Motorsport, 52.
Statistics:
Winners 2007: Jazeman Jaafar (5); James Grunwell (2); Zahir Ali (1)
Pole Positions: Jazeman Jaafar (5); Zahir Ali (3); James Grunwell (1)
Podiums: Jazeman Jaafar (7); James Grunwell (6); Zahir Ali (2); Kyle Mitchell (4); David Zhu (1); Ross Jamison (3); Johan Adzmi (1)
Rookie Cup Winners: Jamison (4); Mitchell (4)
Background:
Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2007 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, 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 the FIA 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 2007, Formula BMW will be staged four times as part of the Formula One support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Sebastian Vettel, Timo Glock, Adrian Sutil and Nico Rosberg.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: “Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Programme 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. ”
| 
|