Announces five 2006 Junior Scholarship Drivers
BMW of North America, LLC has announced the final five winners of the 2006 Formula BMW USA Junior scholarships. The winners are:
David Garza June 22, 1988 Monterrey, MexicoJordan Dick May 16, 1988 Northville, MichiganMaxime Pelletier August 14, 1990 Lyon, FranceRobert Thorne March 24, 1990 Sherman, ConnecticutRobert Wickens March 13, 1989 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Four scholarship winners were chosen following a scholarship qualifying course held at the Formula BMW Racing Center at the Circuit de la Communitat in Valencia, Spain. The fifth scholarship is automatically awarded to the winner of the Rookie Cup from the previous season. The 2005 Rookie Champion and the runner-up have declined scholarships for 2006, therefore Robert Wickens, also a Formula BMW Junior driver in 2005, who finished third in the Rookie Cup, will receive a scholarship for 2006.
The five Juniors will be awarded $40,000 each towards participation in the 2006 Formula BMW USA Championship and automatic enrollment in Formula BMW's Education and Coaching Program. The comprehensive program, provided by a team of experts from the field of international motorsport, includes courses in Driving Skills & Tactics, Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Setup, Fitness Training & Nutrition, Media Training & Public Relations and Sponsorship & Sports Management.
The concept behind the Formula BMW USA Junior program is to nurture young drivers towards a racing career by training them to the highest possible levels, drawing on the vast expertise and experience of BMW Motorsport. Underlining BMW's commitment to the discovery and grooming of future young talent, the scholarship "shoot-out" has been designed so that the most talented drivers, rather than the most financially healthy, succeed. In order to differentiate the five scholarship recipients from all other series entries, the Juniors will race in the distinctive BMW Motorsport livery.
"The aim of our scholarship program is to ensure that the young drivers are provided with the right tools they need for a successful career in professional motorsport," said Alexander Schmuck, Formula BMW USA Manager. "Let's hope they will prove as successful as last year's winners. I am looking forward to seeing their progress during the 2006 season."
The five young men selected for a 2006 Formula BMW USA scholarship will join a select group of very talented Formula BMW USA Junior alumni. Since Formula BMW began in North America in 2004, 12 young men have competed as Juniors.
In 2005, the top-four finishers in both the Overall Championship and in the Rookie point standings were Formula BMW USA Juniors. Richard Philippe, the most successful scholarship winner in the previous season, won the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship and Rookie Cup and has set a high standard to follow.
Background:Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series was 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 the standard for safety and technology. The single-seater is powered by a 140 bhp BMW engine and can achieve speeds of 140 mph and exceeds by far the 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 2005, Formula BMW was staged five times as part of the Formula One support program. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Nico Rosberg.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Program we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the world of motor racing. Formula BMW has become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."
From December 13 to 16, 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
