Formula BMW - Round 6 - Beijing

Abay scores maiden victory.

Round 6
Goldenport Circuit, Beijing, China

Beijing, China - Australian Sam Abay (18/Team E-Rain) scored his maiden
Formula BMW Asia victory on the 2.3km Goldenport Circuit today with a perfect
pole-to-flag win. The remaining podium places were both taken by BMW Juniors:
Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport), taking his first podium finish of the
season and first Rookie Cup victory, and team mate Daniel Ricciardo. BMW
Junior James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) was 4th.

After six rounds, Rookie Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) remains at the top of
the points table, but Abay is now just one point behind. Grunwell retains his
number three position followed by Ricciardo, however Storey's performance
elevates him one position to 5th. Positions in the Rookie Cup standings remain
the same.

The hard work and comprehensive BMW Education & Coaching Programme are paying
off for Storey and Ricciardo, and the pair are showing consistent improvement
with each round. For Storey in particular, his podium finish and Rookie Cup
victory represent a turning point in his Formula BMW Asia aspirations.

At the start, Abay got away well from pole, with Storey hot on his heels.
Behind him, however, fellow Junior and team mate Daniel Ricciardo managed to
get the jump on Thailand's James Grunwell (Team Meritus) to move into third by
the first turn. Grunwell snatched back the position several laps later.
Ricciardo kept his cool, however, and when Grunwell made a mistake, he was back
into third. By this time, Storey had pulled out a gap which Ricciardo was
unable to close by the chequered flag.

Said Abay: "It's just great to cross the line first. It's my first Formula
BMW Asia victory and I hope there will be many more. It's a great moment for
me, Australia, my team and all my supporters to be on the podium in Beijing."
Bahrain's Mohammed Al Baharna (Team E-Rain) recorded his best finish so far
this season in 5th, ahead of Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport).

Bamber, starting from the back of the grid after an electronic hitch in
qualifying, ploughed through the field to 7th. He challenged Lim but there was
no way the feisty karting ace was going to let him by.
Rounds 7 and 8 of Formula BMW Asia will be held over 20 laps each of Beijing's
Goldenport Circuit tomorrow.

Fastest Lap: Sam Abay/AUS/Team E-Rain/1:05.435

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 6.
1. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 89 points; 2. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 88
points; 3. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 60 points; 4. Daniel Ricciardo
(AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 70 points; 5. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport)
53 points; 6. Hamed Al Fardan (BRN/Team Meritus) 40 points; 7. Zahir Ali
(INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 29 points; 8. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) 24
points; 9. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 12 points; 10. Aditya Akkineni
(IND/Team E-Rain) 20 points; 11. Rayomand Banajee (IND/Privateer) 1 point.

Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 6.
1. Earl Bamber 105 points; 2. James Grunwell 84 points; 3. Daniel Ricciardo 79
points; 4. Dominic Storey 74 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 48 points.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2); Earl Bamber (3); Sam Abay (1)
Pole Positions: Bamber (3); Abay (2); Grunwell (1);
Podiums: Abay (6); Bamber (4); Grunwell (3); Al Fardan (2); Ricciardo (2);
Storey (1)
Championship Points: 1. Bamber (89); 2. Abay (88); 3. Grunwell (70)
Rookie Cup Winners: Bamber (4); Grunwell (1); Storey (1)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (105); 2. Grunwell (84); 3. Ricciardo (79)

Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level championship in Formula racing.
In 2006 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 five times in support of the Formula One World Championship,
Formula BMW offers a worldwide stage, training through a multifaceted Education
and Coaching Programme, and BMW's longstanding Junior scholarship for deserving
drivers.
The FB02 race car is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h. The
design exceeds the FIA safety requirements for its class, with the BMW
Motorsport developed FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat, and the mandatory HANS
safety system.
From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo
Tormo will host the second Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from
the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other with the
winner receiving a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.