BMW Motorsport Gives Boost to Asian Youngsters as Formula BMW Asia Scholarships Increased to US$250,000

In a move which could make a career at the pinnacle of international
motorsport a reality for Asian youngsters, BMW Motorsport has increased
the funding levels for the five Formula BMW Asia Scholarships to
US$50,000 each. The cash contribution represents a substantial
percentage of the cost of a season in Formula BMW Asia, and illustrates
BMW Motorsports' commitment to developing young racing talent in the
region. Formula BMW Asia is particularly in the spotlight since the
achievements of China's Tung Ho Pin, the inaugural champion, were
recognised and rewarded with a coveted test drive with the BMW
WilliamsF1 Team in Spain last month. The search is already underway
for youngsters to follow in his footsteps, and the increased funding
provided by the scholarships will mean success on the world stage could
become a reality for many more. The concept behind Formula BMW Asia is
to nurture youngsters from the very beginning and groom them for an
international motorsport career by training them to the highest
possible levels, drawing on the vast expertise and experience of BMW
Motorsport. The series is designed for individuals from 15
years-of-age with either karting or only junior level racing experience.
Applications for the chance to qualify for one of the five Formula BMW
Asia Scholarships for the 2004 season of the burgeoning series are now
open. The Scholarship programme is open to anyone in Asia born between
1982 and 1988, with no international racing experience. It provides a
financial contribution of US$50,000 towards the cost of competing in
the 2004 Formula BMW Asia season, plus a full Education and Coaching
programme, free-of-charge, designed to create skilled, professional
young single seater pilots. The programme includes Driving Skills
& Tactics, Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Setup, Fitness Training
& Nutrition, Media Training & Public Relations and Sponsorship
& Sports Management, and is provided by a team of experts from the
field of international motorsport. The scholarship qualification
course will be held during a two day training session at the end of
February. Those who complete this program successfully will receive
the international C licence. Applications may be made by contacting
series organiser, Motorsport Asia Limited, at + 603 2026 1680 or via
www.bmw-motorsport.com. So successful is the Formula BMW concept that
new series are being launched in the United Kingdom and USA this year.
The 10-round UK series will be run to the same calendar as the
prestigious British Touring Car Championship, while the US series will
see seven rounds run throughout North America. The winner of the German
Formula BMW ADAC Championship in 2002, Nico Rosberg, son of former F1
World Champion Keke, has already been given two tests with the BMW
WilliamsF1 Team, and will carry out his third test this week. The
interest shown by one of the world's leading F1 teams in Formula BMW
drivers who show talent and promise illustrates the importance of the
series to drivers seeking a future career at the very top of
international motorsport. In addition to helping youngsters with little
or no racing experience to take the first step on the road to an
international motorsport career, the series has been designed so that
the most talented drivers, rather than the most financially healthy,
succeed. It is for this reason that both the car and the training
programme have been devised so that little if any advantage can be
obtained by extra investment. For example, there are a limited number
of gear ratios that may be used and the Schnitzer Motorsport built
engines are sealed to ensure equality of performance. The Formula BMW,
which sets new benchmarks in terms of safety technology, empty weighs
455 kilograms. A 140 bhp BMW four-cylinder engine propels the car to
speeds of up to 230 km/h. In 2004, the series is scheduled to visit
Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Japan and China, and will once again boast
of field of drivers from across the Asian region. After only one
season Formula BMW Asia is now a recognised training ground for future
Asian F1 stars, and attracts avid media attention in both Asia and
Europe. Formula BMW Asia runs as part of the Asian Festival of Speed,
the region?s leading motorsport series, organised by Malaysian-based
Motorsport Asia Limited. Commented Motorsport Asia's Managing
Director, David Sonenscher, "The increased scholarship funding now
provides an unprecedented opportunity for young Asian drivers. The
fact that our 2003 champion was given a Formula One test by BMW shows
just how closely the series is followed around the world, and the
recognition it has achieved after just one season. Without doubt
Formula BMW Asia must be the number one choice for any youngster
looking for an international single seater career at the very top level".