Pre-Season Testing and 2005 Package
Meritus Racing has launched its preparations for the 2005 racing season, with a very productive test featuring promising drivers on November 18-23 at the Sepang F1 Circuit, Malaysia, where the team is based. Meritus today announces further test dates for drivers interested in racing with Meritus in 2005, or who just want to try out the Formula BMW single-seater racer as a possible step in their motor racing career.
Following the recent announcement from BMW Motorsports that the winner of the 2005 Formula BMW Asia series will be awarded with a fully-funded season in Formula BMW UK in 2006, worth US$200,000, Meritus is putting in extra effort to select and prepare the next crop of racing talent in a bid to win the series for a third successive year. BMW is also offering 4 scholarships worth US$50,000 each, to help rookie drivers get a foot in the door. Aside from financial assistance, scholarship drivers will also receive specialised training throughout the year from BMW, with custom fitness and nutrition programs, race-craft coaching and media/PR training.
The Meritus Driver Evaluation program will include 3 days of track time, fitness evaluation & training, racecraft coaching and car setup education, with prices starting at US$1,250 per day (for Meritus registered drivers, excluding tires). Full details can be found in the Meritus Pre-Season Driver Development document which can be downloaded from MeritusRacing.com/en/drivers/ (bottom of the page) or by replying to this email.
Details of the full 2005 Formula BMW Asia racing package with Meritus Racing can be found in our 2005 Driver's Guide, which can also be downloaded from MeritusRacing.com/en/drivers/ (bottom of the page) or requested by replying to this email. The standard package starts at US$130,000 (based on 2004 race events), and includes further education by Meritus driver coaches and engineers, sponsorship information and our winning team's background.
Meritus Racing has won 16 titles since setting up in Asia in 1995, including the 2003 & 2004 Formula BMW Asia championships. In fact, Meritus drivers have won 27 of the 28 F-BMW Asia races ever held, and have been on the podium for all 28. Meritus Racing matches international standard racing services with talented drivers to produce an unbeatable combination, and we have already helped 3 Asian drivers into F1, the most famous being Takuma Sato (BAR Honda).
"Without professional racing teams such as Meritus, I would never have made it to Formula One," says Takuma Sato.
Driver evaluation and pre-season testing will take place at the Sepang F1 circuit in Malaysia on November 30-December 1, December 14-17, January 4-6 and February 1-2, with further dates depending on interest. All interested parties should reply as soon as possible, to ensure availability. Testing is open to all racers aged 15 and up, with a minimum of 1 year's competitive karting experience and/or previous circuit racing experience. During pre-season testing and the 2005 season, Meritus will strive to find the next Takuma Sato, Narain Karthikeyan, Tung Ho-Pin and Marchy Lee.
