Formula BMW - Race of Champions - Wickens scored victory

FORMULA BMW USA DRIVER ROBERT WICKENS SCORED VICTORY IN THE FORMULA BMW
SHOOT-OUT AT THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 5, 2005... 16-year old Formula BMW USA driver
Robert Wickens scored the victory in the Formula BMW shoot-out in the Race of
Champion support program last Saturday. The invitational Formula BMW race
featured four Formula BMW drivers representing the four regional series;
Germany, UK, Asia and USA. The event was held at the Stade de France in Paris
in front of more than 50,000 spectators using the Race of Champions
head-to-head format.

Robert was the youngest of the four drivers invited by BMW Motorsport to this
event that took place alongside the world's top racing drivers from all areas
of the sport. His competitors were Nicolas Huelkenberg (GER), Dean Smith (GBR)
and Salman Al Khalifa (BRN), the Champions of the other Formula BMW series from
Germany, the UK and Asia. Finishing the 2005 Formula BMW USA season third in
the Overall points and in the Rookie point standings, Robert was chosen, having
shown to be one of the most consistent drivers of the season.

In the three-lap semi-final on the 0,628 miles circuit, Robert dominated the
Asian Formula BMW Champion Salman Al Khalifa. In the final round he competed
against the winner of the Formula BMW UK Championship Dean Smith. A driving
mistake by Dean offered an advantage to Robert and he took the win with a wide
margin.

A jubilant Robert stated, "This was the greatest experience of my life! I want
to thank BMW Motorsport for giving me this amazing opportunity. It was
fantastic and I never thought that I would be able to win. Heading to the World
Final in Bahrain I feel more confident now to compete against the drivers of
the other three series."

After his phenomenal victory, Robert is preparing for the Formula BMW World
Final in Bahrain. From December 13 to 16 Robert will compete against 35 drivers
from the four Championships for a test drive with the new BMW Sauber F1 Team.

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.

CONTACT:

Roy Oliemuller
BMW Motorsports Communications Manager
201-307-4082 / roy.oliemuller@bmwna.com
www.formulabmwusa.com

Bill Cobb
Press Officer
215-295-3115 / 215-431-7223 cell / wrcobb@attglobal.net