Formula BMW Asia - Round 16 - Shanghai - Race

Abay triumphs in Shanghai.

Round 16
Shanghai International Circuit, China

Shanghai, China - Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) made up for his birthday
disappointment yesterday by taking a dominant win in Round 16 of Formula BMW
Asia today, an official support race for the 2006 Formula 1™ Sinopec Chinese
Grand Prix, with a lights-to-flag victory. Arch rival and winner of Round 15,
Earl Bamber (NZL/Team E-Rain), crossed the line in second, while BMW Junior
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) notched up his 9th podium finish.

Abay's win gives him a 16 point lead over Bamber in the Driver Classification,
with three more rounds to go. Ricciardo, in third, is still in with a
mathematical chance for the overall title. Bamber retains his place at the top
of the Rookie Cup Classification, but just 45 points separate the Kiwi and BMW
Juniors Ricciardo, James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) and Dominic Storey
(NZL/Eurasia Motorsport).

Abay got away well at the start but Ricciardo, starting from the second row,
was flying and was up to second in the opening lap, with Storey in third.
Bamber, 5th on the grid, got by Lim and began piling the pressure on to
Storey. Despite putting up a valiant defence, Bamber eventually made the move
on his fellow Kiwi and took the chase to Ricciardo. Behind the leaders,
Mohammed Al Barhana (BRN/Team E-Rain), Grunwell and Formula BMW USA Rookie
driver, Maxime Pelletier (CAN/Gelles Racing), were engaged in a furious battle,
at times three-abreast.

Back at the front of the field, it wasn't long until Ricciardo saw the red
Mertius car looming large as Bamber closed the gap and made his move on the
penultimate lap, his eyes firmly on Abay and the win. However, Ricciardo
fought back and reclaimed second place enduring intense pressure from an
infuriated Bamber. It wasn't to last, and Bamber pipped him to the post at the
flag. At the front, Abay had built up a comfortable gap of more than three
seconds by the end of the 10 lap race, also setting the fastest lap for good
measure.

Abay is now full of confidence for the title chase: "I'm positive about winning
the title. I've got the best team and lots of support form them and family and
friends," he said, adding: "Plus my team boss will break my legs if I don't win
the title!"

Ricciardo enjoyed his race enormously: "I had a great battle with Earl and it
was a good, clean fight. The podium finish is a great result, especially given
the wet conditions."
Pelletier, making his Formula BMW Asia debut this weekend, finished 9th, behind
Al Bahaharna and Grunwell, in just his second race with the series.

To the delight of the Formula BMW Asia youngsters Dr. Mario Theissen was on
hand to present the trophies on the podium.
The final three rounds of the 2006 season will be held at Southern China's
Zhuhai International Circuit on October 21 and 22.

Formula BMW Asia Points Standings after Round 16.
1. Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain) 244 points; 2. Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) 228
points; 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Eurasia Motorsport) 185 points; 4. James
Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) 148 points; 5. Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport)
122 points; 6. Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport) 110 points; 7. Zahir Ali
(INA/Eurasia Motorsport) 85 points; 8. Mohammed Al Baharna (BRN/Team E-Rain) 72
points; 9. Aditya Akkineni (IND/Team E-Rain) 50 points; 10. Hamed Al Fardan
(BRN/Team Meritus) 40 points; 11. Hafiz bin Helmi (SIN/Team Meritus) 9 points;
12. Rayomand Banajee (IND/Privateer) 1 point.

Rookie Cup Points Standings after Round 16.
1. Earl Bamber 255 points; 2. Daniel Ricciardo 223 points; 3. James Grunwell
210 points; 4. Dominic Storey 164 points; 5. Aditya Akkineni 146 points.

Statistics:
Winners 2006: Al Fardan (2); Earl Bamber (7); Sam Abay (5); Ricciardo (2)
Pole Positions: Bamber (7); Abay (6); Grunwell (1); Ricciardo (2)
Podiums: Abay (15); Bamber (11); Grunwell (6); Al Fardan (2); Ricciardo (9);
Storey (3); Lim (2)
Championship Points: 1. Abay (244); 2. Bamber (228); 3. Ricciardo (185)
Rookie Cup Winners: Bamber (10); Grunwell (2); Storey (1) Ricciardo (3)
Rookie Cup Points: 1. Bamber (255); 2. Ricciardo (223); 3. Grunwell (210)

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.