Formula BMW Asia - Rounds 3, 4 and 5 - Preview

Motorsport a Hot Topic in Malaysia, says Lim.

Preview
Rounds 3-5
Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
May 14, 2006

Sepang, Malaysia - Aaron Lim (Eurasia Motorsport) may be the only Malaysian
driver flying the flag for his country next weekend in Rounds 3 to 5 of Formula
BMW Asia but the 20-year-old BMW Junior is confident the sport is definitely on
the rise in his country.

"For sure public perception of motorsport has changed in Malaysia over the last
10 years as there is much more interest in the sport now. The topic of
motorsport is constantly brought up. Also, more people want to get into the
sport now, particularly karting, compared to a decade ago when only a limited
group of people were involved. I hope this will continue to grow in the
future," he says.

With fellow countryman Alex Yoong becoming one of only a handful of Asian
drivers to make it to Formula 1 so far, Lim also believes the commercial
environment in Malaysia has improved along with awareness: "It still isn't
easy to obtain sponsorship but, as the nation is now more aware of the sport,
the commercial benefits to sponsors are more immediate and tangible. I guess
since Alex, the expectations are higher but I'll do my best to fulfil these."

Motorsport is in Lim's family, and his father was a kart racer in Asia for two
decades until the late 90's. Although Lim got his first kart aged 9, he didn't
begin racing for another two years. Once he did though, he knew immediately
motorsport was his future and from there became one of the region's most
successful karters.

His Formula BMW Asia debut came last year and he finished the season 8th
overall, despite missing out on four rounds. Fast forward to 2006, and the BMW
Junior admits the BMW Education & Coaching programme which comes with his
scholarship, has already made a major impact: "I'm learning so much more, not
only about racing but also dealing with the media and sponsors. Joining the
fitness programme has been one of the turning points in my career - I had no
idea how vital it is to be fit. I'm feeling so much fitter now and I can't
wait to get back in the car to see the improvement!"

Joining Lim on the grid next weekend will be a field of exciting young drivers
from eight countries in the Asia Pacific region - from Bahrain in the Middle
East, all the way down to New Zealand in the South Pacific.

Round 3 of Formula BMW Asia will be held on Saturday, May 13, with Rounds 4 and
5 held on the Sunday.

In other news, 2005 Formula BMW Asia Championship runner-up and Rookie Cup
winner Michael Patrizi of Australia, who won full season in the Formula BMW UK
Championship courtesy of BMW Motorsport, has been showing Europe that Asia
Pacific drivers are a force to be reckoned with. Fifth on the Formula BMW UK
Championship leaderboard after two rounds, Patrizi continues to adapt quickly
to new circuits as he did to such tremendous effect in Asia last season.

In a change to the provisional calendar, the venue for the final three rounds
of the 2006 Formula BMW Asia season will now be at Southern China's Zhuhai
International Circuit on October 22.

Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2006
the series will be 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 standards
particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by
a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds the FIA 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 2006, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One
support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching
Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known
alumni of this talent hothouse 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 Programme we have
designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold
their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out of
the blocks to become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."

From 13th to 16th December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit hosted the
first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional
Formula BMW series competed against each other. The winner Marco Holzer will
get a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2)
Pole Positions: Abay (1); Grunwell (1)
Podiums: Al Fardan (2); Grunwell (1); Abay (2); Bamber (1)
Championship Points: 1. Al Fardan (40); 2. Abay (28); 3. Grunwell (24)
Rookie Cup Winners: Grunwell (1), Bamber (1)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (35); 2. Grunwell (32); 3. Ricciardo (27)