Magny-Cours: participants must prove their versatility

Munich, July 12 2012. The participants in the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup learned a big lesson at the fourth On-Track Event in Magny-Cours (FR). After extensive training units and a thrilling race simulation on the former Formula One circuit in France, the instructors sent the young drivers to the neighbouring and demanding Club Track for an unscheduled addition to the training programme. Dirk Adorf, BMW works driver and head instructor: “Versatility is an important attribute for those hoping to be successful in motor racing. Over the course of their careers, the participants will regularly be required to be able to produce top performances on varying racetracks and rapidly adapt to changes to schedules. Teaching them how to cope with these challenges is an important component of our training programme.”

Another positive surprise was in store for the drivers: an additional, unscheduled on-track session. The class of 2012 will assemble at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz (DE) on August 21-22. The next stop for the drivers, however, is Silverstone (UK), where they will undergo another series of simulator trainings from July 20-22. In Silverstone, the participants in the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup will take another step towards the highlight of the season – the “Grand Final”, which will take place as part of the DTM event in Oschersleben (DE) from September 14-16.

Media and fans unable to make it to the individual training courses that form the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup can follow the On-Track Sessions live online at http://www.motorsport-events.se/livetiming-formula-bmw/.

Dirk Adorf, BMW works driver and head instructor:

“France was an important test for the participants. We wanted to see how they are able to adapt to unexpected situations at an On-Track Event. The practical programme complemented the mental training, which is part of the course, very well. For this important area of the course, we also welcomed the performance and enhancement expert Prof. Dr. Dieter Hackfort from the Bundeswehr University Munich to Magny-Cours, who gave a talk about the importance of mental preparations.”

Callan O’Keeffe, winner of test race 1:

To follow up my two wins at the last On-Track Event in Valencia with another success here in France is a great feeling – and on the former Formula One circuit at Magny-Cours too. It was a great experience to be able to defend my position at the front of the field whilst under pressure.”

Tristan Viidas, winner of test race 2:

“For me personally, the win made amends for my second place in the first test race. I had a clear track ahead of me right from the word go and was soon able to pull away from the rest of the field. It was comfortable, as I was able to concentrate fully on my race.”

Result of test race 1 (12 laps): Callan O’Keeffe (ZA), Tristan Viidas (EE), Gianmarco Ercoli (IT), Marvin Dienst (DE), Ralph Boschung (CH), Hugo de Sadeleer (CH), Ioan Mihnea Stefan (RO), Alfonso Celis (MX), Louis Delétraz (CH), Lukas Jäger (AT), Pieter-Jan-Michiel Cracco (BE), Malgorzata Rdest (PL), Fabian Schiller (DE).

Result of test race 2 (12 laps): Tristan Viidas (EE), Ralph Boschung (CH), Marvin Dienst (DE), Callan O’Keeffe (ZA), Louis Delétraz (CH), Alfonso Celis (MX), Lukas Jäger (AT), Hugo de Sadeleer (CH), Fabian Schiller (DE), Pieter-Jan-Michiel Cracco (BE), Ioan Mihnea Stefan (RO), Malgorzata Rdest (PL).

You can find more information on the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup and the 2012 season at www.formula-bmw.com.