Formula BMW Asia - Round 8 - Beijing

Abay makes it three in a row.

Round 8
Goldenport Circuit, Beijing, China

Beijing, China - It was a day of celebration for Korea's Team E-Rain as it
celebrated the third successive win by exciting Australian youngster, Sam
Abay. BMW Junior and fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo (Eurasia Motorsport)
notched up a well-earned second place, his best result so far, while another
Junior, James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus), took the final podium spot, but not
without a heart-stopping spin in the final moments of the 20-lap race.

Abay now holds a 26 point lead over Rookie Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) at
the top of the championship standings, followed by the three BMW Juniors,
Grunwell, Ricciardo and Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport). Aaron Lim
(MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) moves up two places to 6th, after a good performance
this weekend which has seen the re-emergence of his undoubted talent.

Bamber has had his margin cut to just 11 points over Ricciardo in the Rookie
Cup Standings after what was a miserable weekend for both Kiwi drivers.
Ricciardo overtakes Grunwell into 2nd place.
Round 8 saw the tables turn for Abay and Ricciardo, this time with the former
having to pressure the BMW Junior into making a mistake. Off the start, it was
Ricciardo who got the jump on pole-man Abay to take the lead, with Storey
maintaining his grid position of 3rd. However, the Kiwi was being chased hard
by Grunwell, and the two finally came together, with Storey ending up as the
casualty. Behind them, Bamber took evasive action to avoid the incident, going
on to the grass. However, a broken radiator put an end to his race.

Meanwhile, the battle continued at the front of the field with Abay desperate
to pass an in-form Ricciardo. Grunwell was well on his way to securing his 3rd
place finish (despite his last-minute unscheduled spin), but a furious
three-way fight had ensued between Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport), Mohammed
Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) and Zahir Ali (INA/Eurasia Motorsport), with Lim
emerging victorious to take 4th.

Despite losing the lead at the start, Abay was confident of his chances: "It
didn't faze me that much. I just tried to keep my cool and pick the right
moment - unfortunately it took me half the race! Daniel (Ricciardo) put up a
good fight and did really well, but I knew I had the pace."
Said Ricciardo, after a successful weekend which saw him emerge as a serious
title contender: "Considering Sam's form this weekend, I'm quite happy to have
held the lead for as long as I did. I knew I had to remain consistent, and I
could see James (Grunwell) in my mirrors closing in. This weekend has really
boosted our confidence though."
The 2006 Formula BMW Asia season continues next month, with Rounds 9 to 11 held
at Indonesia's Sentul Circuit on July 22 and 23, where all eyes will be on
local driver, Ali.

Fastest Lap: Sam Abay/Team E-Rain/1:05.451

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 8.
1. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 130 points; 2. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 104
points; 3. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 90 points; 4. Daniel Ricciardo
(AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 87 points; 5. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport)
60 points; 6. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) 44 points; 7. Hamed Al Fardan
(BRN/Team Meritus) 40 points; 8. Zahir Ali (INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 39 points;
9. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 31 points; 10. Aditya Akkineni
(IND/Team E-Rain) 22 points; 11. Rayomand Banajee (IND/Privateer) 1 point.

Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 8.
1. Earl Bamber 125 points; 2. Daniel Ricciardo 114 points; 3. James Grunwell
111 points; 4. Dominic Storey 94 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 68 points.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2); Earl Bamber (3); Sam Abay (3)
Pole Positions: Bamber (3); Abay (4); Grunwell (1);
Podiums: Abay (8); Bamber (5); Grunwell (4); Al Fardan (2); Ricciardo (4);
Storey (1)
Championship Points: 1. Abay (130); 2. Bamber (104); 3. Grunwell (90)
Rookie Cup Winners: Bamber (5); Grunwell (1); Storey (1) Ricciardo (1)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (125); 2. Ricciardo (114); 3. Grunwell (111)

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.