Formula BMW USA Debuts in 2004 (927)
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA
Press Information
For Release: IMMEDIATE
Contact: David J. Buchko
BMW Product Communications Manager
(201) 307-3789 / dave.buchko@bmwna.com
Roy Oliemuller
BMW Motorsports Communication Specialist
(201) 307-4082 / roy.oliemuller@bmwna.com
"The Search for the Ultimate Driver"
Formula BMW USA Debuts In 2004
Woodcliff Lake, NJ, September 27, 2003Š The internationalization of Formula
BMW has reached the United States. With this unique racing series for young
drivers, which already is established in Germany, Asia and recently
announced in the UK, the United States will host its own Formula BMW USA
series for 2004.
"Formula BMW USA will provide the young entry-level racer, particularly from
the kart racing ranks, the opportunity to experience all the demands of
professional motorsport," said Tom Purves, CEO of BMW of North America, LLC.
"This is an exciting way to develop promising drivers by showcasing their
talents and preparing them to compete in the higher ranks of international
motorsports. We would be thrilled if the next American Formula One driver
comes from Formula BMW USA."
Talented drivers between the age of 16 and 23 will line up on the starting
grid. They will learn the details of their sport with the most innovative
Formula racing car in its class. Each of the candidates will be eligible
for scholarship support from BMW of North America.
As part of the total Formula BMW USA program, drivers will participate in
the Motorsport Professional training program. This program will provide
young drivers with skills that they will need long term in the world of
motorsports. BMW will organize several seminars conducted by experienced
individuals to review important subjects such as:
… Fitness Training & Nutrition
… Vehicle Dynamics & Chassis Set-up
… Driving Technique
… Public Relations
… Media Training
… Sponsorship Research & Sports Management
"Formula BMW is firmly established overseas as the best entry-level form of
motor racing for promising young karters looking for a stepping stone to
single-seaters on their way to Formula One," says BMW Motorsport Director
Mario Theissen. "With the BMW WilliamsF1 Team leading the FIA World
Championship and with a strong desire to promote open-wheel racing in the
U.S., we believe this to be the perfect time for us to introduce Formula BMW
to America. For us safety is of paramount importance. We believe the
Formula BMW car is the safest entry-level open-wheel racecar on the market."
The top finishing driver for the season in Formula BMW USA can go on to race
in Europe, where the majority of world-class open wheel racing takes place.
The season winner will earn a $50,000 scholarship that can be applied to a
year of participation in Formula BMW in Germany.
BMW was engaged in promoting new talent in BMW-powered open-wheel racecars
as early as 1991. With the development of the new Formula BMW racecar, the
Formula BMW ADAC Championship was launched in Germany in 2002. This year,
Formula BMW races are being held in Asia for the first time. To enhance an
international platform with the goal of a world championship, Formula BMW UK
and Formula BMW USA will now become the third and fourth pillars of BMW¹s
commitment to nurturing young drivers towards an open-wheel racing career.
Formula BMW sets new benchmarks especially in safety standards. This
state-of-the-art single-seat racecar is powered by a 140-hp BMW engine.
Inspired by the BMW Formula 1 shape, DesignworksUSA sketched and modeled the
Formula BMW car, which has a high-tech carbon-fiber chassis, meets the FIA
safety requirements of the more powerful Formula 3 racing cars, and has been
expanded to incorporate a Formula 1 standard with in-house development of
the BMW Formula Rescue Seat (FORS). For additional safety measures, all
drivers will be able to wear their HANS device (Head and Neck Support
system).
"Who but BMW would search for the ultimate driver? We¹re excited by the
challenge of launching this new motorsport program in the United States.
While the management of a racing series is new to us, motorsports has always
been an integral part of the BMW brand," said Tom Salkowsky, Manager,
Consumer Events for BMW of North America. "The Formula BMW racecar has many
of the same attributes as our production cars‹high performance, advanced
technology, safety and agility."
BMW of North America is currently in negotiations with Championship Auto
Racing Teams (CART) to potentially host select races in conjunction with the
sanctioning body in 2004. An entire schedule of races in the U.S. and
Canada will be announced later this year and may include the 2004 United
States Grand Prix. The schedule will include a total of 14 races‹two races
will be run on each weekend at seven racetracks in North America. The
majority of the race schedule will cover the summer-break period, between
June and September, allowing young drivers to finish the school year.
Formula BMW has already launched numerous pilots onto the professional
circuit. In particular, BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver Ralf Schumacher, who made
his debut in the forerunner to this series in 1992 and whose career has
taken him to success in the Formula 1 Championship.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975.
Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include
marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI
brands and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm
in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other
operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Corp. in South
Carolina is part of BMW Group¹s global manufacturing network and is the
exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 roadster and X5 Sports Activity
Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S.
through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW
Motorcycle retailers, and 70 MINI dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW
Group¹s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located
in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the
Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com
www.bmwmotorradusa.com
www.miniusa.com
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
www.bmw-motorsport.com
# # #
Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is
available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following
address: www.press.bmwgroup.com.
