Formula BMW Americas – Introductory Test

Formula BMW Americas completed its Introductory Test at Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah, this weekend. In addition to being one of the finest road racing facilities in North America with turns named Fast, Faster, Satisfaction, Agony, and Ecstasy, the circuit may well provide a season's forecast for many of this year's young hopefuls.

American Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational),16, from Nevada City, Calif., who finished third overall in the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship, turned the quickest lap of the weekend around the 2.42-mile, 15-turn East Course. Rossi's morning session 1:29.066 minute lap was quicker than the Formula BMW race record set in the opening rounds of last season.

Rookie David Ostella (Eurointernational) lap of 1:29.627 minutes late in today's last session left the young Canadian very pleased with his performance. Brazilian Alexandre Ruiz (Apex-HBR Racing Team) was third fastest, only .026 seconds behind Ostella.

"We worked hard on quite on a number of areas this weekend, especially the rear suspension and braking," said Rossi. "A smooth track like this affords opportunities rough surfaces just do not. I am pleased with what we accomplished and the fact that we made no mistakes."

The weekend included much more than testing. In a very special Friday afternoon program ten Stars of Karting drivers took advantage of Formula BMW Americas invitation to test a FB02 under supervision of series staff. Each group of five cars completed some 10 laps behind the BMW 1 Series safety car with every driver taking a turn at the head of the line.

No track time was scheduled for Saturday so the series staff, drivers and teams could participate in official photography and meetings to discuss race and safety procedures. Saturday's Education and Coaching Programs activities included a Vehicle Dynamics Seminar and Media Training. Before today's testing began, the field was instructed in the art and science of standing starts and then provided an opportunity to put the instruction into action twice before it will count in Round 1 at Laguna Seca Raceway. Later, the season's first technical inspections of the upgraded FB02s took place.

One additional two-day test is scheduled for May 8 – 9 at Thunderhill before the season begins at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway on May 16 – 18.

Licensing courses for the 2009 season are scheduled for July 28-29 and August 4- 5. They will be held at the Formula BMW Racing Center at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia, Spain. Applications are now available at www.formulabmwamericas.com.