Formula BMW Asia - Round 9 - Sentul / Indonesia

Bamber scores Indonesian victory.

Round 9
Sentul Circuit, Indonesia

Citeureup Bogor, Indonesia - 16-year-old Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus)
successfully converted his pole position in to an emphatic win at Indonesia's
4km Sentul Circuit to take victory in Round 9, his fourth win so far this
season. Second was Championship leader, Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain). Third
over the line after the 15-lap race was BMW Junior Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Team
Meritus) who had started from 4th on the grid, but got the jump on both first
fellow Junior James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) and then Abay off the line.

After seven rounds, Abay retains his championship lead, 20 points ahead of
Bamber, but the gap between Grunwell and Ricciardo is reduced to just a single
point. In the Rookie Cup, Bamber's victory increases his lead over Ricciardo
to 16 points, with Grunwell 3rd.

Bamber got away cleanly at the start, but behind him17-year-old Ricciardo was
on a charge and up to 2nd ahead of Grunwell and Abay by turn one. Said
Ricciardo: "I tried to catch Earl, but his race pace was very good. Then Sam
caught up to me and he's also very quick, and got by. Third was the best
possible result today, so I'm actually very pleased to be on the podium."

Grunwell finished 4th, ahead of local driver Zahir Ali in 5th. BMW Junior
Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) did well to get to grips with his
newly-rented car to cross the line in 6th, while the last Junior driver to
finish was Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport), who has been unwell since
Thursday.

Formula BMW Asia newcomer, Hafiz bin Helmi of Singapore, failed to finish the
race, but the 22-year-old is enjoying his first taste of the series.
Formula BMW Asia continues tomorrow (Sunday) with Rounds 10 and 11 of the
19-round 2006 season.

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 9.
1. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 145 points; 2. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 125
points; 3. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 100 points; 4. Daniel Ricciardo
(AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 99 points; 5. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport)
63 points; 6. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) 50 points; 7. Zahir Ali
(INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 47 points; 8. Hamed Al Fardan (BRN/Team Meritus) 40
points 9. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 33 points; 10. Aditya Akkineni
(IND/Team E-Rain) 26 points; 11. Rayomand Banajee (IND/Privateer) 1 point.

Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 9.
1. Earl Bamber 145 points; 2. Daniel Ricciardo 129 points; 3. James Grunwell
123 points; 4. Dominic Storey 102 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 78 points.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2); Earl Bamber (4); Sam Abay (3)
Pole Positions: Bamber (4); Abay (4); Grunwell (1)
Podiums: Abay (9); Bamber (6); Grunwell (4); Al Fardan (2); Ricciardo (5);
Storey (1)
Championship Points: 1. Abay (145); 2. Bamber (125); 3. Grunwell (100)
Rookie Cup Winners: Bamber (6); Grunwell (1); Storey (1) Ricciardo (1)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (145); 2. Ricciardo (129); 3. Grunwell (123)

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.