PressClub Global · Article.
Formula BMW: Facts and figures.
Mon Jan 14 08:00:00 CET 2008 Press Release
All important facts and figures regarding the Formula BMW.
Press Contact.
Joerg Kottmeier
BMW Group
Tel: +49-89-382-23401
Fax: +49-89-382-28567
send an e-mail
Author.
Joerg Kottmeier
BMW Group
Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level class in Formula racing.
In 2007 the series were held in Germany, Great Britain, Asia and in North America. In 2008 the German and the British Championship will merge into new Formula BMW Europe, which will be staged in the support programme of Formula One. Formula BMW USA will become Formula BMW Americas, Formula BMW Asia will be renamed Formula BMW Pacific.
Apart from the championship, there is a separate class for newcomers in open-wheel racing, the Rookie Cup.
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 on the grid since 2002 and has set the standard, particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater, which is propelled by a 140bhp BMW engine, reaches speeds up to up to 230 km/h and exceeds 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 2007, Formula BMW events were again staged as part of the Formula One support programme and as part of the FIA World Touring Car Championship programme on numerous occasions.
In November 2007, Valencia’s “Circuit de la Comunitat” was the venue of the third Formula BMW World Final. Young guns from the four international series battled it out for the title with Austria's Philipp Eng claiming victory. He will complete a Formula One drive for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in 2008.