Formula BMW Asia - Rounds 9 and 10 - Taebaek - Preview

Team E-Rain is the only private Korean racing team competing outside the
country, and this season is also fielding current championship leader Salman Al
Khalifa (BAH) and exciting Indian teenager, Armaan Ebrahim. Jeon is committed
both to developing Korean drivers and creating a successful, international
team. In addition to the Indian and Bahraini drivers, the team also includes
personnel from the UK and Canada, as well as from Korea. Team E-Rain's
success is a reflection of the international and multi-cultural nature of
Formula BMW Asia as a whole, and the ease with which so many nations work
together effectively.

With a 2000 survey indicating that the motorsport industry in the UK has an
annual turnover of around £4.6 billion (approximately Euros 6.63 billion) and
employs almost 39,000 people, the potential for development of the industry in
South Korea - with its highly-developed automotive industry - is certainly
great.

However, before this can be realised, it falls to pioneering drivers such as An
to first establish the popularity of the sport itself. Does he see this as a
threat or an opportunity as he prepares to race at South Korea's Taebaek
Circuit next weekend? "About 50/50," he says. "But I know in my heart I'm
positive and hopeful."

Rounds 9 and 10 of Formula BMW Asia will be held over 20 laps each of the 2.5km
Taebaek 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 a Formula One test drive.

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 8:
1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 110 points, 2.Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team
Meritus) 96, 3.Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 80 points, 4. Charlie-Ro
Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 77 points, 5. Michael Patrizi (AUS/Team Meritus) 67
points, 6.Robert Boughey (THA/Team Meritus) 64 points, 7. An Suk-Won (KOR/Team
E-Rain) 52 points, 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Minardi Team Asia) 44 points, 9. Dejan de
Zoysa (SRI/Minardi Team Asia) 17 points, 10.Wang Jian-Wei (CHN/Ao's Racing
Team) 14 points,11. Mitsunobu Endo (JPN/Team Meritus) 13 points, 12. Jonathan
Chan (HKG/Minardi Team Asia) 13 points.

Rookie Cup Standings after Round 8:
1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 114 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 109 points, 3. Michael
Patrizi 101 points, 4. An Suk Won 85 points, 5. Aaron Lim 69 points, 6. Wang
Jian-Wei 44 points, 7. Dejan de Zoysa 40 points.

Statistics

Winners 2005: Al Khalifa (4), Boughey (1), Ebrahim (1), Al Fardan (2)

Pole Positions: Al Khalifa (7), Michael Patrizi (1)

Podiums: Al Khalifa (6), Charlez (4), Boughey (2), Al Baharna (1), Patrizi (4),
Al Fardan (5), Ebrahim (1), An Suk Won (1)

Championship Points: 1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 110 points, 2.Hamed
Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 96, 3.Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 80 points,
4. Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 77 points, 5. Michael Patrizi
(AUS/Team Meritus) 67 points

Rookie Cup Winners: Charlez (3), Ebrahim (2) Patrizi (3)

Rookie Cup Points: 1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 114 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 109
points, 3. Michael Patrizi 101 points