Formula BMW Asia - Round 11 - Sentul / Indonesia

Abay still tops with Indonesian win.

Round 11
Sentul Circuit, Indonesia

Citeureup Bogor, Indonesia - Australian Sam Abay (18/Team E-Rain))
strengthened his position at the top of the championship standings by winning
the third race of the weekend at Indonesia's 4km Sentul Circuit today. Rival
Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus), who had looked unbeatable winning the two
previous races, went out of the race with a broken gear box. The remaining
podium places were both taken by BMW Juniors with James Grunwell (THA/Team
Meritus) and Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) second and third,
Grunwell also notching up his second Rookie Cup win.

Abay's 4th victory of the season gives him an impressive 33 point lead over
Bamber on the championship leaderboard, while Grunwell is just 20 points adrift
of the Kiwi in 3rd. In the Rookie Cup, Bamber's lead over Grunwell, who
overtakes Riccardo into 2nd place, now stands at seven points after 11 rounds.
However, Ricciardo is a mere two points adrift of the Thai driver as the
competition continues to intensify.

Off the start, Bamber got away well, followed by Abay, Grunwell and Ricciardo.
BMW Junior Dominic Storey's weekend didn't get any better when he spun out on
lap two. Bamber looked to be storming towards a third victory, despite a
strong challenge from Abay, when a gearbox problem struck on Lap 7, slowing him
down and eventually putting him out of the race. Grunwell then took the chase
to Abay, and a crowd-pleasing battle ensued all the way to the chequered flag.
Ricciardo was unable to close the gap to the pair, but was delighted to have
made it to the podium.

BMW Junior Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) just missed out on a podium
finish but his 4th place means he leapfrogs over Storey in the points to 5th
position. Lim was followed across the line by local hero and team mate Zahir
Ali who is now 7th in the championship and who had the added pressure of his
home race this weekend.

Abay was disappointed at the loss of Bamber, but not for long: "I knew this
time I could stuck with Earl. We made some changes to the car and it was
perfect. When he made a mistake and I got past. Then I couldn't see him in my
rear view mirrors, which was disappointing. Then I saw James coming up in my
rear view mirrors!"

The arrival of the region's premier single seater series in Indonesia for the
first time generated massive interest, particularly amongst the many young
karters and the media, with several thousand fans also turning out to
enthusiastically cheer the field.
After a successful debut outing in the Southern Hemisphere, Formula BMW Asia
now travels to Thailand's Bira Circuit for Rounds 12 to 14 on September 2 and
3.

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 11.
1. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 180 points; 2. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 147
points; 3. James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 127 points; 4. Daniel Ricciardo
(AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 121 points; 5. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) 68
points; 6. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport) 66 points; 7. Zahir Ali
(INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 55 points; 8. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 45
points; 9. Hamed Al Fardan (BRN/Team Meritus) 40 points; 10. Aditya Akkineni
(IND/Team E-Rain) 34 points; 11. Rayomand Banajee (IND/Privateer) 1 point.

Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 11.
1. Earl Bamber 165 points; 2. James Grunwell 158 points; 3. Daniel Ricciardo
156 points; 4. Dominic Storey 110 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 100 points.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2); Earl Bamber (5); Sam Abay (4)
Pole Positions: Bamber (6); Abay (4); Grunwell (1)
Podiums: Abay (11); Bamber (7); Grunwell (6); Al Fardan (2); Ricciardo (6);
Storey (1)
Championship Points: 1. Abay (180); 2. Bamber (147); 3. Grunwell (127)
Rookie Cup Winners: Bamber (7); Grunwell (2); Storey (1) Ricciardo (1)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (165); 2. Grunwell (158); 3. Ricciardo (156);

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.