Formula BMW To Hold Licensing Courses

As one of the world's top driver development programs in open-wheel racing, the Formula BMW Americas series is constantly looking to the future, despite the fact that the current 14- race championship has yet to reach the halfway mark.

So to ensure that all qualified drivers get a chance to prove themselves ready to step from karting into open-wheel racing in 2010, Formula BMW Americas today announced that it would hold a pair of licensing courses during the 2009 season.

The licensing courses, which take place at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on July 8-10 and August 17-19, will allow entrants to complete driver training that will qualify them to apply for an official FIA International C License. In addition, the licensing courses will also see the Formula BMW Americas series select invitees to its Scholarship Qualifying meeting, which provides up to four Formula BMW Junior scholarships worth up to $80,000 each for participation in the 2010 Formula BMW Americas season.

In past years, Formula BMW Americas Junior drivers have included Graham Rahal, Jonathan Summerton, James Hinchcliffe, Tommy Milner, and Richard Philippe.

"Formula BMW has built a strong reputation for developing racing talent, as is evidenced by the success of its graduates," said Rahal Letterman Ventures CEO Bobby Rahal. "This licensing program is a big part of that. It is designed to give a solid foundation of experience and instruction to the young drivers coming from karting, allowing them to transition into open-wheel cars and to do it safely and with confidence."

Drivers spend the first afternoon in registration, providing background, getting a racing seat fit to them and receiving answers to questions on the course. The first full day begins at 8:15 a.m. and sees the drivers receive world-class instruction on driving theory, gear changing, braking and course management. The second day is spent behind the wheel of the BMW- powered FB02, where drivers learn gear changing, cornering, safety car procedure from experienced BMW instructors.

Candidates for the licensing program must have been born on or before December 31, 1994 and the program is limited to 15 participants per course. Entries for the program close on June 26, 2009. The course is conducted with the highest standards of safety in mind, with FIA-approved safety equipment mandatory for all drivers. The equipment can be loaned to the applicant through Formula BMW Americas, if a candidate does not own the required safety gear.

Anyone interested in applying for the Formula BMW Licensing Course should contacted to Formula BMW Americas Series Manager Randy Biggs at randy.biggs@partner.formulabmw.com or at (614) 216-5882.