Formula BMW Asia - Rounds 7 and 8 - Beijing - Preview

Beijing, China - As he prepares to race a single seater for the first time ever
in China, BMW Junior Wang Jian Wei (Ao's Racing Team) firmly believes Formula
BMW Asia is key to the development of motorsport in the world's most populous
country.

"BMW is the first ever manufacturer to offer comprehensive and systematic
motorsport training to drivers from China. Single seater racing is becoming
more and more popular here, and there are an increasing number of drivers who
can afford to race. However, previously there were not many opportunities.
Formula BMW Asia is a professionally-run series which provides an excellent
opportunity for young Chinese drivers to explore a single seater racing
career," says the 20-year-old from Hubei Province.

Wang began his love affair with all things automotive at the age of eight. His
father, an avid motorsport fan, taught him to drive - in private - at the age
of 11. However, like many youngsters the world over, the importance of study
took priority over any racing aspirations, although Wang kept a close eye on
the sport. "In those days, it was not common for Chinese television stations
to broadcast motorsport, so I kept abreast of what was happening through
newspapers and magazines," he says.

In 2001, Wang travelled to Australia to continue his education, but after just
one year he returned to China to follow his dream of becoming a racing driver.

Upon his return, Wang enrolled in a rally training course organised by the
country's ASN, the Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC). Following
the course, he took part in four rounds of the China Rally Championship,
finishing 6th overall in the National 1600cc class.
The following year, and after taking part in a touring car training course also
organised by the FASC, Wang was given his first taste of "tin top" racing. He
competed with Ao's Weihao Racing Team, run by Macau driver Ao Chi Hong, in the
National Touring Car Championship and, in 2004, the China Circuit Championship.

When Ao made the decision to enter a team in Formula BMW Asia for the 2005
season, Wang was first in line for the scholarship trials in Bahrain, and is
now mid-way through his first season as a BMW Junior. Says Wang, "At the
moment, I'm planning to do two seasons in Formula BMW Asia. Then, if I get
some good results, the next step would be racing Formula 3 in Europe."

Rounds 7 and 8 of Formula BMW Asia will be held at Beijing's Goldenport Circuit
on July 16 and 17.

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 6:
1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 88 points, 2. Charlie-Ro Charlez
(MAS/Team Meritus) 65 points, 3. Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team Meritus) 61, 4.
Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 60 points, 5. Robert Boughey (THA/Team
Meritus) 52 points, 6. Michael Patrizi (AUS/Team Meritus) 49 points, 7. An
Suk-Won (KOR/Team E-Rain) 32 points, 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Minardi Team Asia) 32
points, 9. Wang Jian-Wei (CHN/Ao's Racing Team) 13 points, 10. Mitsunobu Endo
(JPN/Team Meritus) 13 points, 11. Dejan de Zoysa (SRI/Minardi Team Asia) 11
points, 12. Jonathan Chan (HKG/Minardi Team Asia) 10 points.

Rookie Cup Standings after Round 6:
1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 94 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 82 points, 3. Michael
Patrizi 73 points, 4. An Suk Won 58 points, 5. Aaron Lim 49 points, 6. Wang
Jian-Wei 40 points, 7. Dejan de Zoysa 26 points.

Statistics
Winners 2005: Al Khalifa (3), Boughey (1), Ebrahim (1), Al Fardan (1)
Pole Positions: Al Khalifa (5), Michael Patrizi (1)
Podiums: Al Khalifa (5), Charlez (3), Boughey (2), Al Baharna (1), Patrizi (3),
Al Fardan (3), Ebrahim (1)
Championship Points: 1.Salman Al Khalifa (BAH/Team E-Rain) 88 points, 2.
Charlie-Ro Charlez (MAS/Team Meritus) 65 points, 3. Hamed Al Fardan (BAH/Team
Meritus) 61, 4. Armaan Ebrahim (IND/Team E-Rain) 60 points, 5. Robert Boughey
(THA/Team Meritus) 52 points
Rookie Cup Winners: Charlez (2), Ebrahim (2) Patrizi (2)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Charlie-Ro Charlez 94 points, 2. Armaan Ebrahim 82
points, 3. Michael Patrizi 73 points