Series news 2010-07-29

Formula BMW FB02 to be used at Race of Champions South Europe.

Munich, 29 July 2010. From the 7th to 9th August 2010, the "Autodromo Internacional do Algarve" in Portimão (PT) will play host to this year's "Race of Champions South Europe". Twenty three drivers will go head to head in various racing cars on a circuit specially set up for this event. One of these cars will be the Formula BMW FB02, which is used in the 2010 Formula BMW Europe and Formula BMW Pacific series. BMW is also the "Official Car" partner of the "Race of Champions South Europe", which includes providing the vehicle fleet for the on-site shuttle service.

Four thrilling racing events and numerous training sessions await the Portuguese motorsport fans. Approximately 75,000 spectators are expected in the Algarve over the course of the event. The four fastest drivers in a purely Portuguese "Race of Champions" will first qualify for the duel between Portugal and Spain. The two most successful drivers from both countries will then progress into a South Europe final, where they will come up against drivers from Italy and Monaco. On top of all this, eight drivers will also represent their respective countries in the "Race of Champions Legends".

Many big names from the world of international motorsport have announced their participation. Among others, Pedro Lamy (PT) will line up for Portugal. In May, the local favourite won the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring (DE) for the fifth time with Team BMW Motorsport and will be in action in the BMW M3 GT2 again this coming weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours.

Alongside Lamy double World Rally champion Marcus Gronholm (FI) and former Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert (GB) will take their place in the cockpit of the FB02. They will be joined by Mick Doohan (AU, five-time motorcycling world champion) and Stig Blomqvist (SE, World Rally champion). Rally driver Armin Schwarz (DE) will be flying the flag for Germany.

After various training sessions and a press conference on Saturday, 7th August, the "Race of Champions Portugal" takes place from 20:00hrs on Sunday evening, followed by the "Race of Champions Legends". The "Race of Champions Iberia" and the "Race of Champions South Europe" will be contested on Monday evening.

The "Race of Champions" is a motorsport event, which has been held as an invitational tournament at the end of the year since 1988. Racing and rally drivers from different countries go head to head in a direct duel on the track to determine the winners in the individual and national competitions. This year's grand RoC finale takes place on the 27th and 28th November 2010 in Dusseldorf (DE).

-source: fbmw