Rounds 3 & 4 - Eurospeedway Lausitz - Preview
Fitness training for good finishes.
To ensure they make a particularly strong impression on the second race weekend of the season at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, the 21 drivers of Formula BMW Germany set great store by careful preparation. "I'm doing five fitness units a week," reveals two-times winner at the Hockenheimring, Marco Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH). The 17-year-old from Bavaria is not only improving his physical fitness but doing special exercises to strengthen his neck muscles as well.
Participants in BMW's Education and Coaching Programme are given a special training schedule which they follow under the supervision of qualified sports instructor Gernot Emberger. Before the season got underway, the young driving talents were put through their paces during a two-day fitness test in Leverkusen, where the focus was on general stamina, coordination and strength endurance. The data recorded there will be continuously checked over the course of the season. All Formula BMW Germany Juniors are equipped with special pulse rate monitors which indicate the strain experienced during exercise. "The data readouts from the pulse rate monitors show me whether the lads are training in the right area. If not, the scope and intensity of training are adapted," explains Emberger.
Mücke driver Philipp Eng (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg) is also making use of the opportunities offered by his sponsor to carry out comprehensive sports training. "The Red Bull fitness centre in Thalgau is very near my home in Salzburg," points out the 16-year-old rookie. It's a place where you quite likely meet one or other famous fellow-driver pumping iron next to you. "I've already trained alongside Formula One driver Scott Speed," says Eng.
The EuroSpeedway Lausitz puts the drivers on their mettle in terms of driving skills. BMW works driver Jörg Müller has a piece of advice for the aspiring young talents: "The critical point on this circuit is the slow chicane before the start/finish straight. The Formula BMW guys need to climb on the accelerator in good time there. The real skill is to take the momentum with you out of the chicane and into the top-speed straight."
Corrected Rookie results from the Hockenheimring*.
Race 1, Rookie placings (newcomers to formula racing):1. Philipp Eng (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 2. Jens Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland Racing), 3. Patrick Kronenberger (Friedrichshafen/Josef Kaufmann Racing), 4. Fabio Leimer (CHE/Team Rosberg), 5. Christian Zacherl (München/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH), 6. Oskar Paegle (RUS/Eifelland Racing), 7. Maximilian Wissel (Hörstein/GU-Racing Motorsportteam), 8. Andrei Harnagea (ROM/GU-Racing Motorsportteam).
Race 2, Rookie placings (newcomers to formula racing):1. Philipp Eng (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), 2. Patrick Kronenberger (Friedrichshafen/Josef Kaufmann Racing), 3. Jens Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland Racing), 4. Maximilian Wissel (Hörstein/GU-Racing Motorsportteam), 5. Christian Zacherl (München/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH), 6. Oskar Paegle (RUS/Eifelland Racing), 7. Fabio Leimer (CHE/Team Rosberg), 8. Andrei Harnagea (ROM/GU-Racing Motorsportteam).
Rookie standings after two races: 1. Philipp Eng (40), 2. Patrick Kronenberger (27), 3. Jens Klingmann (27), 4. Christian Zacherl (16), 5. Maximilian Wissel (14), 6. Fabio Leimer (14), 7. Oskar Paegle (12), 8. Andrei Harnagea (6).
* Josef Král (CZE/Micánek Motorsport - Brno) was disqualified from the Rookie classification on grounds of prior experience in formula racing. According to the regulations he does not qualify as a newcomer to formula racing.
Background:Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2006 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 2006, Formula BMW will be staged five 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 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 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."
From 13th to 16th December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit hosted the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series competed against each other. The winner Marco Holzer will get a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
