Formula BMW Asia: Huge Response für Scholarship Qualifying 2005.

Huge Response for Formula BMW Asia Scholarship Qualifying.

Manama, Bahrain - As the popularity of motorsport in the Asian region continues
to soar, the response for the qualifying trial for four of the five Formula BMW
Asia 2005 Scholarships, to be held at the new BMW Performance Center at the
state-of-the-art Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) next month, has been
enormous.

The number of participants was originally restricted to 16, but the response
has been so strong that this has been increased to 18, and it is likely that an
additional day will be added to the programme to accommodate even more.

The Scholarships, provided by BMW Motorsport and open to youngsters between the
ages of 15 and 21, are each worth US-Dollars 50,000 plus a comprehensive,
season-long Education & Coaching programme. The fifth scholarship is
automatically awarded to the winner of the Formula BMW Asia Rookie Cup in the
previous season.

Seven of the drivers who are hoping to win one of the coveted scholarships this
year are from China where the series has a strong following. Three of the
drivers, Zuo Xiao Long, Zhang Jun Shang, and Chia On are just 16-years-old.
They will be joined in Bahrain by Lo Shiu Fong, Song Ge, Yuen Man Wai, and Wang
Jian Wei.

Last season, best-selling Chinese author Han Han won a BMW scholarship, and the
championship title was clinched by Marchy Lee from the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of China. This, coupled with the fact that four of the
14 Formula BMW Asia rounds were held in China - at Beijing's Goldenport Circuit
and as part of China's first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Shanghai -
has given the series a high profile in the world's most populous country.

However the Formula BMW Asia is truly representative of the entire Asian region
and applications have also been received from Filipino, Thai, Korean and Indian
drivers. The only lady applicant is 15-year-old Michelle Bumgarner of the
Philippines, from South Korea comes An Suk Wong, while the Thai entry is
Sivareak Sae-Lim.

In the Middle East, a contest currently underway to win four scholarship trial
places has received massive attention. Last year the series included three
drivers from Bahrain which has become the heart of motorsport in the Middle
East since it hosted its first Formula 1 Grand Prix at the start of the season,
followed by the FIA GT Championship and the international Formula 3
season-closer this month.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "The response to the Scholarship
Qualifying this year is tremendously exciting. It proves that, after just two
seasons, Formula BMW Asia is now recognised in the region as being the only
choice for youngsters serious about a career at the top level of international
motorsport. We have a valuable opportunity to nurture this young talent, and
our series and comprehensive training programme will offer them the very best
opportunities."

Formula BMW Asia 2005 Scholarship Qualifying will be held at BIC from January 9
to 11, with an additional day to be announced.

Rights-free images may be found at www.press.bmw.com

Background:
The ultra-modern Formula BMW which allows 15-year-olds to enter the world of
motor racing has been lining up on the grid since the 2002 season. It sets
standards above all on the safety technology front. The single-seater, driven
by a 140 bhp BMW motorcycle engine that takes it up to 230 km/h, features a
carbon-fibre chassis, fulfils the safety requirements of the much
higher-performance Formula 3 cars, and even matches certain Formula One
standards.

Formula BMW Asia, about to embark on its third season, runs as part of the
Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) organised by Motorsport Asia Limited. In 2005,
Formula BMW will once again be run in four different series held in Germany,
the UK, Asia and the USA. Formula BMW events will be part of the Formula One
support programme on five occasions around the world. All the series go
hand-in-hand with a comprehensive education and coaching programme, as well as
substantial financial backing for promising young talents.