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Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia – Nineteen-year-old Australian Chris Wootton,
Filipino-Swiss karter Marlon Stöckinger, 16, and South African Simon Moss, also
16, have each earned a Formula BMW Pacific scholarship following exhaustive
trials held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from December 13
to 16. The trio earn the
title of Formula BMW Juniors, and will receive expert coaching and tuition
throughout the season from BMW Motorsport professionals.
A fourth
scholarship has been earmarked for 2007 Formula BMW Junior and Rookie Cup
winner Kyle Mitchell of South Africa.
The
Juniors, who were amongst 25 candidates from 12 different nations taking part
in the trials, have each been offered 50,000 Euro (approximately 70,000 USD) of financial assistance
towards the cost of a season in the region’s premier entry-level single
seater series, as well as a full year in the unrivalled Formula BMW Pacific
Education & Coaching programme.
Should any of the four be unable to take up their scholarships,
David Sera from Australia and Calvin Wong of Malaysia are first reserves.
The BMW Motorsport instructors who evaluated the candidates were
Formula BMW Asia regular instructor Chris Wassermann of Austria, Enzo Mucci of
the United Kingdom, and 2007 FIA GT2 Champion and 2005 FIA World Touring Car
Championship runner-up Dirk Müller of Germany.
Based in
Brisbane, Chris Wootton began his motorsport career at the end of 2004 in the
Gold Coast Christmas race meeting. He
achieved instant success becoming rookie of the year in two classes in the 2005
Queensland Karter of the Year, as well as notching up several podiums during
his debut season.
With
motorsport very much in his blood, the Wootton family has been involved in
Australian motorsport since the 1960’s in both circuit racing and
rallying.
Manila-based
Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stöckinger began his career in 2001 and has notched
up an impressive record of karting achievements, becoming Asian Karting
Champion in 2006 (125 Open Category and Senior Rotax Max Class), and
representing the Philippines in the Rotax Max DD2 World Finals in Portugal that
year.
South
African Simon Moss is another youngster with a motorsport heritage. His father Terry is a legend in South
African racing circles being a former multiple touring and saloon car champion,
while sister Christine and brother Tristan were both karting champions.
Moss,
from Port Elizabeth, also has an impressive karting history (his first win
coming in 1996 in “baby” karts), and has more recently progressed
to car racing.
The four
drivers will have until January 11 to complete all arrangements for their entry
to the world of professional motorsport and confirm acceptance of their Formula
BMW Pacific scholarships.
Background:
Formula BMW is the world’s leading entry-level class in
Formula racing. In 2008 the
series will be held across Europe, Asia Pacific and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers
as young as 15-years-old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing
with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.
This racing car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set
standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater
is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds the FIA safety
requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport
has developed the FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat especially for Formula
BMW. The HANS safety
system is also mandatory.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: “Formula BMW offers
talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education
and Coaching Programme we have designed especially for them, they learn
everything they need to know to hold their own in the big wide world of motor
racing. Formula BMW has shot out of the blocks to become the top
entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide.”
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