Formula BMW UK - Round 5 - Thruxton - Race - Final

Thruxton - Rounds 5 - 5 May 2007 - Race.

Arundel wins Thruxton thriller.

Thruxton, 05 May, 2007. Henry Arundel (Fortec Motorsport) scored his first ever
Formula BMW UK Championship victory with Championship leader Marcus Ericsson
(Fortec Motorsport) finishing top Rookie.

Arundel made a good start from pole to secure a lights-to-flag victory and
become the fourth different winner this year. After initial pressure from
team-mate Ericsson, a mistake into the final chicane gave Arundel just enough
breathing space to hold a comfortable gap from the chasing pack.

"It's great to finally get a win," said Arundel, "I thought I was capable but
now I definitely know I am. Now I have one victory under my belt, hopefully the
next will come a little easier!"

After dropping back from Arundel, 16-year-old Ericsson was left to defend
second from a chasing Josef Kral (Double R Racing) who caught the young Swede
in the final laps of the race. "Kral was so quick towards the end and was
putting me under immense pressure, so it was good to see the flag," Ericsson
commented. The Rookie remains in the Championship lead.

Kral put in an amazing drive to challenge from ninth on the grid. The Czech
driver battled his way up the order, whilst still nursing an injury from
qualifying earlier in the day, to claim the final podium position.

Henry Surtees (Carlin Motorsport) finished second Rookie. After briefly
dropping down the order he pushed hard to move back to his original starting
position of fifth overall. Oliver Webb (Carlin Motorsport), third Rookie,
started fourth on the grid but unfortunately fell down to seventh while under
pressure from behind.

After a jam packed schedule of activity today, the drivers now have time to
rest before coming back for one final battle tomorrow lunch time on the
quickest circuit they will visit all year.