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FORMULA BMW USA DRIVERS COMPLETE SECOND OFFICIAL TEST OF 2007 SEASON
Wed Apr 18 10:00:00 CEST 2007 Press Release
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April __, 2007... 18 young drivers recently participated in the second of three official tests before the 2007 Formula BMW USA season begins on May 17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Valley, Utah.
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Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April __, 2007... 18 young drivers recently participated in
the second of three official tests before the 2007 Formula BMW USA season
begins on May 17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Valley, Utah.
Held on April 7th and 8th at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), in Alton,
Virginia, the youngsters completed a combined 6000 miles under cool, crisp and
fast conditions. With no major incidents reducing the track time the ten teams
on hand could run their programs with little interruption.
At the top of the timing chart was 2006 Rookie Champion Daniel Morad (AIM
Autosport). Sophomore Formula BMW USA driver Sebastian Saavedra
(EuroInternational) was only .013 seconds behind and newcomer Alexander Rossi
(Hearn Motorsports) rounded out the top-three.
Three Rookies were among the top-10 fastest with Jeffrey Petriello (Team KMA
Racing) fourth, Esteban Gutierrez (Team Autotecnica) fifth and Eric Morrow
(Hearn Motorsports) ninth. Petriello and Morrow are 2007 Junior scholarship
drivers. Overall the top-13 times were within only one second promising another
competitive Formula BMW USA season.
Formula BMW USA driving coach Pete Argetsinger said, "The series seems to go
from strength to strength. This season looks like it will be even better than
last year with strong returning drivers and some strong newcomers. I am very
excited for the season to start."
Formula BMW USA Notes:
While the newest class of Formula BMW USA drivers tested at VIR, series
graduates continue to shine as they climb the motorsport ladder. Robert Wickens
(2006 Formula BMW USA Champion) took the overall pole and finished second in
the opening round of the Champ Car Atlantic season at the Las Vegas Grand Prix...
In addition to Wickens, seven more Formula BMW USA graduates took part in the
race; James Hinchcliffe (04), Matt Lee (06), Tom Sutherland (04, 05), Simona De
Silvestro (06), Frankie Muniz (06), Adrien Herberts (05, 06) and David Garza
(06)...
Graham Rahal (2004 Junior) became the first Formula BMW USA graduate a full-
time Champ Car drive with his start at Las Vegas...
Ten 2007 Formula BMW USA drivers have registered for this season's Education
and Coaching Program. The pre-season Fitness Camp and a Media Training seminar
are scheduled for April 27 - 28 in Indianapolis, IN...
Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level championship in Formula racing.
In 2007 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, Asia and the USA. More than
80 up-and-coming drivers, some as young as 15-years old, will compete
worldwide. Racing four times in support of the Formula One World Championship,
Formula BMW offers a worldwide stage, training through a multifaceted Education
and Coaching Program and BMW's longstanding Junior scholarship for deserving
drivers.
The FB02 race car is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine, reaching speeds up to
140 mph. The design exceeds the FIA safety requirements for its class, with the
BMW Motorsport developed FORS (Formula Rescue Race Seat), and the mandatory
HANS (Head and Neck Support) safety system.
From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo
Tormo hosted the second Formula BMW World Final. 37 young racing drivers from
the four regional Formula BMW series competed against each other with the
winner Christian Vietoris receiving a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.