Formula BMW Asia - Rounds 9/10 - Preview

Korean Formula BMW Young Guns Ready to Thrill Local Fans

Formula BMW, already established in Europe as a proven training ground for
talented young drivers making the step up from karting to single seater car
racing, comes to Korea after eight exciting rounds in the Asian Festival of
Speed. The 2.5km Taebaek International Circuit will host Rounds 9 and 10 as the
season reaches its half way mark.

Series leader Tung Ho-Pin of China, who won both rounds in Bira, Thailand last
month, will be the favourite once again, but strong competition is expected
from his team mates Lin Po-Heng of Taiwan and Jim Ka To of Hong Kong. Lin, who
was hampered by an injury to his neck in Rounds 7 and 8 due to a crash he
suffered during a practice session at Bira, will be looking forward to
improving on his performance and take the fight to Tung. He overcame the odds
to notch a podium finish in Thailand and will be eager to clinch victory at
Taebaek. After a sensational debut in Thailand where he managed two
consecutive 2nd place finishes, Jim will be determined to go one better in
Korea and put the brakes on Tung.

But the talk of the town will be the two 22-year-old local boys Lee Doo-Young
and You Kyong-Ouk. Lee and You, who have performed well since the start of the
season, especially You who has notched up numerous top ten positions, will be
out to impress in front of the home crowd. You is backed by BMW Korea, while
both drivers are part of the E-Rain Racing Team outfit.

Prior to the start of the series, You became one of only a handful of hopefuls
to qualify for a Formula BMW Asia Scholarship, following a selection process
conducted by BMW in Spain. One of only five drivers selected for a scholarship,
You is joined by drivers from Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
You has benefited enormously from the on-going driver training and development
provided by the scholarship programme. Commented Paul Spooner, who heads the
driver development programme for BMW, "You has absolutely the right attitude to
racing. He is keen to learn and works hard. The results are really beginning
to show, and I am confident that if he continues to work hard, he will have a
bright future in motorsports."

Lee, will also be looking for inspiration from local supporters to finish
amongst the front runners. Despite being overshadowed by You for much of the
season, he will hoping to put in an impressive performance on home turf.

Truly representative of the Asian region, the Formula BMW Asia field is made up
of drivers from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, the
Philippines, South Korea and India.

The impressive BMW single seater machine tips the scales dry (empty) at 455
kilogrammes. A 140 bhp BMW four-cylinder engine based on the famous motorcycle
unit propels the car to speeds of up to 230 km/h (143 mph).
The Formula BMW Asia Series runs as part of the Asia Festival of Speed (AFOS),
organized by Motorsport Asia Limited. The AFOS also includes the Asian Touring
Car Series, the new Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, and the Asian Formula 3 Series.
This year AFOS visits Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and China.

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August 20, 2003
Issued by Motorsport Asia Limited. For further information please contact
Kumaran at Motorsport Asia Limited in Kuala Lumpur on kumaran@afos.com.my
/telephone (603)+ 2026-1680/fax: (603)+ 2026-1681.