18 YOUNG HOPEFULS ARE INVITED TO 2005 FORMULA BMW USA SCHOLARSHIP SHOOT-OUT

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. 12/13/2004; As preparations for the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship continue, 18 young drivers have received an invitation to compete for five $40,000 Formula BMW USA Junior scholarships. The two day shoot-out will take place at the Formula BMW Racing Center in Valencia, Spain on January 12th and 13th, 2005. The invited drivers were selected from a pool of 28 talented drivers who participated in two Formula BMW licensing schools held at Valencia's Circuit de la Communitat in September and December of this year.

Selected from the September program are Wade Van Hooser, 15, Tulane, Calif.; Robert Wickens, 15, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada; Justin Moon, 16, Shingle Springs, Calif.; Adrien Herberts, 15, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada; Richard Philippe, 14, Miami, Fla. ; Michael McGrath, 15, Cherry Hills Village, Colo.; Elliott Ladik, 15, Kirkland, Wash.

Invited from the December program are James Davison, 18, Kew, Australia; Race Johnson, 16, West Linn, Ore.; Johnny Johnson, 18, Marshalltown, IA; Kyle Weigand, 18, Bargersville, Ind.; Ryan Phinny, 15, Carmel Valley, Calif.; Keith Spicer, 15, Naples Fla.; Matt Lee, 15, Syosset N.Y.; Daniel Morad, 14, Markham, Ontario, Canada; Reed Formula BMW USA Stevens, 18, Palo Alto, Calif.; Jonathan Ziegelman, 18, Boca Raton, Fla.; Kevin Lacroix, 15, St Eustache, Quebec, Canada.

In addition to the $40,000 scholarship award, Formula BMW USA Juniors are enrolled in a comprehensive education and coaching cirriculum that includes special emphasis on physical fitness, media training, racing car set-up and driving technique. James Hinchcliffe, Jonathan Summerton, Graham Rahal, Tom Milner, Billy Johnson and Trevor Daley were the 2004 Formula BMW USA Juniors.

The 2004 Formula BMW USA Championship had one of the finest schedules of any racing series in North America. Ultimately won by Andreas Wirth, the race to the Championship included some of the most exciting circuits in North America. Beginning at Lime Rock Park, the series next supported the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal and United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis. The next three races were held on the temporary airport circuit in Cleveland, Road America, and the streets of Denver. The season finished at Laguna Seca Raceway. At this time, the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship schedule is being finalized. A third 2005 season licensing school is scheduled to be held in spring of 2005.

Background: BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen adds, "Our junior talent promotion program is an intensive basic education for successful kart drivers who want to move up into Formula racing. Our priorities are to create a level playing field through technically identical vehicles and scrupulously defined regulations, and to ensure maximum safety."

The ultra-modern Formula BMW racecar, which allows 15-year-olds to enter the world of motor racing, has been lining up on the grid all around the world since the Formula BMW USA 2002 season. It sets standards above all on the safety technology front. The single- seater, powered by a 140 bhp BMW motorcycle engine producing speeds up to 140 mph, features a carbon-fiber chassis and fulfils the safety requirements of the much higher-performance Formula 3 cars.

In 2004, Formula BMW held Championships in Germany, England, Asia and the USA. Formula BMW events were a part of the Formula One support program on five occasions around the world. All the series go hand-in-hand with a comprehensive education and coaching program, as well as substantial financial backing for promising young talent. The most distinguished graduate is Ralf Schumacher. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver made his racing debut in the junior class in 1992.