All series newsletter 2008-07-31

Gutierrez continues winning streak in Formula BMW Europe.

Eight races, six victories: this is Esteban Gutierrez's impressive record in the 2008 Formula BMW Europe season. When the junior series appeared at the Hockenheimring as part of the Formula One weekend, the Mexican once again dominated proceedings, claiming pole position in both races, before going on to clock the fastest laps and win the races.

"A perfect weekend," was how Gutierrez described his double hat-trick. "Although I have now won six times in a row, I am still trying to take it one race at a time. I am putting aside any thoughts of the overall victory at the end of the season." Adrien Tambay (FR) and local hero Marco Wittmann (DE) finished second and third respectively in both races. Gutierrez now has 226 points overall, and has extended his lead over Tambay (180) and Wittmann (150).

Races nine and ten of the Formula BMW Europe series take place this coming weekend at the Hungaroring, where the BMW Sauber F1 Team will be racing in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

BMW M1 Procar Revival in Hockenheim.

The past, present and future of motor sport met at the German Grand Prix. Formula BMW Europe was not the only series to appear at Hockenheim. The legendary BMW M1 Procar series also celebrated its comeback, thrilling spectators with two demonstration races. The revival marked the BMW M1's 30th birthday.

On the one hand, the BMW M1 Procar series was successful because the cars were so attractive, but it also gave young drivers the opportunity to go up against top Formula One drivers of the time. The five fastest drivers from the Friday's Formula One practice were each put in the cockpit of a BMW M1. A further 15 cars were occupied by hungry junior drivers. Even in those days, the promotion of junior drivers played a central role in BMW Motorsport's commitment.

In Hockenheim, those paying tribute to the most spectacular one-make cups in racing history included three-time world champion Niki Lauda, BMW Sauber F1 Team test driver Christian Klien, and Jochen Neerpasch, one of the fathers of the BMW M1 Procar series.

Four Formula BMW Pacific races within two days.

In Indonesian Bogor, Formula BMW Pacific provided spectators at the "Sentul International Circuit" on 19th and 20th July with a thrilling race weekend with plenty of variation. The four races produced three winners. Ross Jamison from Hong Kong crossed the finishing line first in two of the races. The leader in the Drivers' Championship said: "It was a lights-to-flag victory, but it wasn't easy. My engine cover was loose, which gave me extra drag on the straights."

While Jamison took races nine and eleven, Sean McDonagh (US) was victorious in race eight. Melvin Moh (MY) also had a huge smile on his face after his first success in Formula BMW Pacific. "I've been waiting for this win for some time," said the 20-year-old, who lined up in the Formula BMW Asia series last season. Moh becomes the first graduate of the Petronas Formula Xperience (PFX) driver training academy, established to develop young Malaysian racers, to win a Formula BMW Pacific race. Jamison leads the Drivers' Championship with 150 points, ahead of McDonagh (128) and Moss (90).

The Formula BMW Pacific drivers can now look forward to the next highlight: the junior series lines up on 27th and 28th September as part of the programme for the Singapore Grand Prix -- the first night race in the history of Formula One.

Next stop Road America for Formula BMW Americas.

Formula BMW Americas starts its next round on 9th August. Races nine and ten of the 2008 season will be held at the Road America circuit. According to head instructor Peter Argetsinger, the youngsters can expect an exciting race: "Road America is a classic road racing course loved by all competitors," he says. "It is not uncommon for the lead to change four times per lap. However the real challenge comes from controlling the car on the high speed approaches and puts an emphasis on braking and shifting skills."

The young drivers will share the circuit for the race weekend with other series, including the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Alexander Rossi (US) travels to Road America as the championship leader. Eight races into the season he has 122 points to his name, giving him a lead of 19 points over Ricardo Favoretto (BR). The Brazilian, who started the season with the EuroInternational team, will be making his debut for the Autotecnica team at the Road America circuit.

Konica Minolta becomes Official Partner of Formula BMW Europe.

As of Hockenheim, Formula BMW Europe will welcome a new official series partner. Konica Minolta is committing itself to the successful, entry-level Formula series. The expert in multifunctional colour systems, production printing and software solutions will be represented by having its logo on the cars and the drivers' overalls. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen welcomes the new Official Partner: "In Konica Minolta, we are delighted to welcome a new series partner for Formula BMW Europe. As a leading provider in its sector, Konica Minolta is perfectly suited for the leading entry-level series in professional motor sport -- Formula BMW."

Carlos Baart, Manager Corporate Communications at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, says: "The two premium brands Konica Minolta and BMW both represent the highest quality in terms of products and performance. Furthermore, Formula BMW Europe is all about speed, stamina, trust and reliability -- exactly the same properties our users can count on when they purchase our products. Above all, we value the competitive and international character of the Formula BMW Europe series."

Formula BMW Careers: Daniel Ricciardo.

Wherever Daniel Ricciardo (AU) has raced in his career so far, he has been one of the best. Having won almost all the karting titles available in his home country of Australia, Ricciardo moved up to the former Formula BMW Asia series in 2006. He also became one of the top drivers on the international circuits with the junior series. With two race victories and twelve podium finishes, he finished the season in third place overall and second place in the Rookie Cup standings.

He made an excellent impression on the Formula BMW World Final in Valencia in November 2006: in Spain, he not only finished fifth -- making him the best-placed representative of Formula BMW Asia -- but was also presented with the "Special Achievement Award" for his exceptional sportsmanship, driving discipline and style, as well as his professionalism and commitment when working with the media.

The talented junior has been racing in the Formula Renault 2.0 series since 2007. Ricciardo finished in sixth place in his first season. In 2008 eight -- as a Red Bull Junior -- he has taken another step towards the top. The 19-year-old has already won four of the first six races, and leads the Drivers' Championship.

-credit: fbmw