Formula BMW Asia - Round 5 and 6 - Bira - Preview

Thai hopes pinned on Boughey.

Bira, Thailand - BMW Junior Robert T. Boughey (Team Meritus) will need strong
shoulders next weekend as he carries the hopes of his country as the sole Thai
driver in the Formula BMW Asia field.

The 22-year-old, who was runner up in the Rookie Cup last year, began the
season determined to clinch the championship proper this time around. His
victory, his first, in Bahrain in April and his second place finish in Sepang
last month, put him fourth on the leaderboard going into Rounds 5 and 6.

Thailand has a long tradition of motorsport, with its only circuit named after
Prince Birabongse who competed in World Championship Grands Prix more than half
a Century ago. It is perhaps surprising then that Boughey is the lone Thai in
the field of Asia's most talented single seater aspirants: "I hope that I can
provide some inspiration to those who want to race internationally," he said.
"Also, to be the one who can perhaps re-light the spark in the motorsport
industry in Thailand."

Boughey is benefiting greatly from his second year in the Formula BMW Education
& Coaching Programme, and is a diligent student. However, having attained a
high level of fitness, he is now concentrating on other elements which
contribute to success on the race track: "My main priority before Malaysia
(Round 3&4) was fitness. After the event however, my priority has shifted
dramatically to a more mental side. I have been practising meditation so that
I can harness the abilities that I'm sure I possess more effectively."

Although Boughey is confident of a good showing in the upcoming races - despite
the inevitable added pressure of racing "at home" - there is little doubt that
current championship leader Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) will be a front
runner. However, the truly pan-Asian field is packed to the gills this year
with talent. Formula BMW Asia Junior, 15-year-old Armaan Ebrahim (Team
E-Rain), who tasted victory last month in just his fourth outing in the car to
put him second on the leaderboard, is bound to be right on the pace, as is
19-year-old fellow Rookie Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus).

Rounds 5&6 of Formula BMW Asia will be held on June 12 over 20 laps of the
2.4km tight and twisting Bira Circuit.

Background:

Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005
the series will be held in Germany, Britain, 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 standards
particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by
a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h 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 will be staged five times as part of the Formula One
support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching
Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known
alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and
Christian Klien.

BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young
drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Programme we have
designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold
their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out of
the blocks to become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."

In December 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 the chance to test a BMW
WilliamsF1 Team car.

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 4:

1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 67 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team
E-Rain) 50 points, 3. Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 45 points, 4.
Robert Boughey (THA/Team Meritus) 42 points, 5. Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team
Meritus) 26 points, 6. Michael Patrizi (AUS/Team Meritus) 22 points, 7. An
Suk-Won (KOR/Team E-Rain) 22 points, 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Minardi Team Asia) 18
points, 9. Wang Jian-Wei (CHN/Ao's Racing Team) 11 points, 10. Mitsunobu Endo
(JPN/Team Meritus) 8 points, 11. Dejan de Zoysa (SRI/Minardi Team Asia) 8
points, 12. Jonathan Chan (HKG/Minardi Team Asia) 5 points.

Rookie Cup Standings after Round 4:

1. Armaan Ebrahim 67 points, 2. Charlie-Ro Charlez 67 points, 3. An Suk-Won 50
points, 4. Michael Patrizi 33 points, 5. Wang Jian-Wei 28 points, 6. Aaron Lim
27 points, 7. Dejan de Zoysa 20 points.

Statistics

Winners 2005: Al Khalifa (2), Boughey (1), Ebrahim (1)
Pole Positions: Al Khalifa (4)
Podiums: Al Khalifa (4), Charlez (2), Boughey (2), Al Baharna (1), Patrizi (1),
Al Fardan (1), Ebrahim (1)
Championship Points: 1. Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 67 points, 2.
Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 50 points, 3. Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team
Meritus) 45 points, 4. Robert Boughey (THA/Team Meritus) 42 points, 5. Hamed
Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 26 points.
Rookie Cup Winners: Charlez (2), Ebrahim (2)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Armaan Ebrahim 67 points, 2. Charlie-Ro Charlez 67
points, 3. An Suk-Won 50 points