Formula BMW USA announces five 2006 Junior Scholarship Drivers

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Roy Oliemuller
BMW Motorsports Communications Manager
201-307-4082 / roy.oliemuller@bmwna.com
www.formulabmwusa.com

Bill Cobb
Press Officer
215-295-3115 / 215-431-7223 cell / wrcobb@attglobal.net

FORMULA BMW USA ANNOUNCES FIVE 2006 JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP DRIVERS

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - December 13, 2005... BMW of North America, LLC is pleased to
announce the final five winners of the 2006 Formula BMW USA Junior
scholarships. The winners are:

David Garza June 22, 1988 Monterrey, Mexico
Jordan Dick May 16, 1988 Northville, Michigan
Maxime Pelletier August 14, 1990 Lyon, France
Robert Thorne March 24, 1990 Sherman, Connecticut
Robert Wickens March 13, 1989 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Four scholarship winners were chosen following a scholarship qualifying course
held at the Formula BMW Racing Center at the Circuit de la Communitat in
Valencia, Spain. The fifth scholarship is automatically awarded to the winner
of the Rookie Cup from the previous season. The 2005 Rookie Champion and the
runner-up have declined scholarships for 2006, therefore Robert Wickens, also a
Formula BMW Junior driver in 2005, who finished third in the Rookie Cup, will
receive a scholarship for 2006.

The five Juniors will be awarded $40,000 each towards participation in the 2006
Formula BMW USA Championship and automatic enrollment in Formula BMW's
Education and Coaching Program. The comprehensive program, provided by a team
of experts from the field of international motorsport, includes courses in
Driving Skills & Tactics, Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Setup, Fitness Training &
Nutrition, Media Training & Public Relations and Sponsorship & Sports
Management.

The concept behind the Formula BMW USA Junior program is to nurture young
drivers towards a racing career by training them to the highest possible
levels, drawing on the vast expertise and experience of BMW Motorsport.
Underlining BMW's commitment to the discovery and grooming of future young
talent, the scholarship "shoot-out" has been designed so that the most talented
drivers, rather than the most financially healthy, succeed. In order to
differentiate the five scholarship recipients from all other series entries,
the Juniors will race in the distinctive BMW Motorsport livery.

"The aim of our scholarship program is to ensure that the young drivers are
provided with the right tools they need for a successful career in professional
motorsport," said Alexander Schmuck, Formula BMW USA Manager. "Let's hope they
will prove as successful as last year's winners. I am looking forward to seeing
their progress during the 2006 season."

The five young men selected for a 2006 Formula BMW USA scholarship will join a
select group of very talented Formula BMW USA Junior alumni. Since Formula BMW
began in North America in 2004, 12 young men have competed as Juniors.

In 2005, the top-four finishers in both the Overall Championship and in the
Rookie point standings were Formula BMW USA Juniors. Richard Philippe, the most
successful scholarship winner in the previous season, won the 2005 Formula BMW
USA Championship and Rookie Cup and has set a high standard to follow.

Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005
the series was held in Germany, the UK, 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 the standard
for safety and technology. The single-seater is powered by a 140 bhp BMW engine
and can achieve speeds of 140 mph 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 was staged five times as part of the Formula One support
program. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program as
well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni are
Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Nico Rosberg.

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

From December 13 to 16, 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 test
drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.