Drivers Chosen 

The five recipients of the BMW Scholarships for the 2006 Formula BMW UK Championship have been chosen after two days at the Formula BMW Racing Center in Valencia. The drivers were observed over both days by instructors Andy Priaulx, Dirk Müller and Enzo Mucci and the five lucky drivers will now have a helping hand with their budget for next year's championship in the form of a £35,000 scholarship. They will also be part of the successful Education and Coaching programme which includes courses in Driving Skills & Tactics, Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Set-Up, Fitness Training & Nutrition, Media Training & Public Relations and Sponsorship & Sports Management.

Andy Priaulx, who is the Chief Instructor for the UK series, said: "I am always amazed at the professionalism of these young drivers. This is the third time I have had to be part of this selection process, and it was again very hard to pick the final five. We obviously expect some of them to have bad habits, but know with the training the Formula BMW Scholarship Scheme gives them these will soon be sorted out. In fact this has started already as I even noticed a big difference in the drivers from the first to the second day in Valencia. Ross Curnow and Euan Hankey, the two most successful Scholarship winners from the 2004 and 2005 seasons, have set a high standard for them to follow and I am looking forward to seeing their progress during the 2006 season."

Also receiving a Formula BMW Scholarship for 2006 will be Rookie Cup winner, Euan Hankey.

The five winners are:

Kimiya Sato - Date of Birth 05.10.89 - Milton Keynes, Bucks Matthew Hamilton - Date of Birth 02.02.90 - Hemel Hempstead, HertsJack Clark - Date of Birth 01.03.88 - Effingham, SurreyRoger Orgee - Date of Birth 15.02.89 - Langford, BristolMarkus Weller - Date of Birth 19.07.88 - Towcester, Northants

Reserves

Richard Bond - Date of Birth 19.03.89 - St Neots, CambsJordan Williams - Date of Birth 28.11.90 - Tavistock, Devon