Competing during China's first Grand Prix weekend was not only an opportunity for the BMW Juniors and newly-crowned champion to showcase their talent, but also gave them the chance to see first-hand what they all aspire to - Formula 1.
The BMW Juniors - Han Han (CHN/Team E-Rain) who turned 22 on the eve of his home event, 21-year-old Robert Boughey (THA/Minardi Team Asia), Nik Iruwan Nik Izani (MAS/Team Meritus) who, at just 18, scored his first podium finish at the weekend, and 2003 Rookie Cup champion You Kyong-Ouk (BMW Korea E-Rain) - joined Marchy Lee (HKG/Monarch Lubricants Redbull Meritus) for the visit to the BMW WilliamsF1 garage where they were given a detailed introduction to the impressive operation by last year's champion, Tung Ho Pin.
It was a memorable weekend for all the Formula BMW Asia drivers, particularly for Lee who was joined on the grid by FIA President Max Mosley. The Minardi Team Asia drivers - 16-year-old Tyson Sy (PHI), who is really making a name for himself with his on-track performances, and team mates Dado Pena (PHI), Round 12 winner at the weekend Moreno Soeprapto (INA), and BMW Junior Boughey - also visited the garage of Minardi Cosworth and met with team principal Paul Stoddart.
The interest shown in the next generation of racing stars by the Formula 1 fraternity over the weekend, and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the biggest names in international motorsport, served as an inspiration to the youngsters who didn't disappoint on-track, producing some of the most exciting racing of the series so far.
Formula BMW Asia next travels to South Korea's Taebek Circuit for the final rounds of the 2004 season on October 16 and 17.
Background:The ultra-modern Formula BMW which allows 15-year-olds to enter the world of motor racing has been lining up on the grid since the 2002 season. It sets standards above all on the safety technology front. The single-seater, driven by a 140 bhp BMW motorcycle engine that takes it up to 230 km/h, features a carbon-fibre chassis, fulfils the safety requirements of the much higher-performance Formula 3 cars, and even matches certain Formula One standards.
Formula BMW Asia, now in its second season, runs as part of the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) organised by Motorsport Asia Limited. This year the series is run over 14 rounds at seven venues, including Bahrain, where it was a support race to the Formula One Grand Prix, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan and Korea, with a second Formula One Grand Prix support race in Shanghai.
In 2004, Formula BMW will be staged in four different series held in Germany, the UK, Asia and the USA. Formula BMW events will be part of the Formula One support programme on five occasions around the world. All the series go hand-in-hand with a comprehensive education and coaching programme, as well as substantial financial backing for promising young talent. The most distinguished graduate of this "talent hothouse" is Ralf Schumacher. The star of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team made his racing debut in the junior class in 1992.
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "Our junior talent promotion scheme is an intensive basic education for successful kart drivers who want to move up into Formula racing. Our priorities are to create a level playing field through technically identical vehicles and scrupulously defined regulations, and to ensure maximum safety."
