AP: Indonesia race one summary

Bamber scores Indonesian victory.

Citeureup Bogor, Indonesia -- 16-year-old Earl Bamber (NZL/Team Meritus) successfully converted his pole position in to an emphatic win at Indonesia's 4km Sentul Circuit to take victory in Round 9, his fourth win so far this season. Second was Championship leader, Sam Abay (AUS/Team E-Rain). Third over the line after the 15-lap race was BMW Junior Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Team Meritus) who had started from 4th on the grid, but got the jump on both first fellow Junior James Grunwell (THA/Team Meritus) and then Abay off the line.

After seven rounds, Abay retains his championship lead, 20 points ahead of Bamber, but the gap between Grunwell and Ricciardo is reduced to just a single point. In the Rookie Cup, Bamber's victory increases his lead over Ricciardo to 16 points, with Grunwell 3rd.

Bamber got away cleanly at the start, but behind him17-year-old Ricciardo was on a charge and up to 2nd ahead of Grunwell and Abay by turn one. Said Ricciardo: "I tried to catch Earl, but his race pace was very good. Then Sam caught up to me and he's also very quick, and got by. Third was the best possible result today, so I'm actually very pleased to be on the podium."

Grunwell finished 4th, ahead of local driver Zahir Ali in 5th. BMW Junior Aaron Lim (MAS/Eurasia Motorsport) did well to get to grips with his newly-rented car to cross the line in 6th, while the last Junior driver to finish was Dominic Storey (NZL/Eurasia Motorsport), who has been unwell since Thursday.

Formula BMW Asia newcomer, Hafiz bin Helmi of Singapore, failed to finish the race, but the 22-year-old is enjoying his first taste of the series.

Formula BMW Asia continues tomorrow (Sunday) with Rounds 10 and 11 of the 19-round 2006 season.

-bmw.asia-