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22.03.2008
Ross Jamison takes triumphant maiden win
Hong Kong’s Ross Jamison (17/Meritus) beat both the elements and his fellow drivers to take his first Formula BMW victory today in the opening round of Formula BMW Pacific at the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Second across the line, after the race which was shortened to eight laps due to torrential rain, was Formula BMW Junior driver Simon Moss of South Africa (16/Mahara), with Rookie Indian driver and protégé of Narain Karthikeyan, Aditya Patel (19/Eurasia Motorsport) 3rd. The only female driver in the field, Tasmin Pepper of South Africa (17/Meritus), put in a superb performance to finish 4th. Racing together for the first time, the region’s best fledgling talent displayed maturity beyond their years when faced with almost impossible track conditions, with spray making it almost impossible to see the road ahead. Although there were plenty of spins, only three drivers failed to finish the race. Starting from pole, Japan’s Ryuichi Nara didn’t get away well and paid the price when Moss and Jamison came storming by both him and Sean McDonagh (18/KOR/Team E-Rain). Moss took the lead, but Jamison seized it from him just two turns later and held it to the flag, pulling out a gap of more than 29 seconds by the finish. Moss was full of praise for his team, particularly making the necessary changes for what was a very wet race in a short space of time: "I had a brilliant start and went from 4th to 1st. It was really intense!" Patel, meanwhile, kept his head down to record his first podium in first wet race, while Jamison was overjoyed to have got his championship campaign off to such a superb start, setting the fastest lap for good measure: "It was a good race, but the wet kept me on tip toes! I got a bit scared on a few corners I admit, but I just kept pushing as hard as I could." Gabriel Chaves (COL/Atlantic Racing Team), Huzair Harun Rasip (19MAS/Mahara) and Melvin Moh (19/MAS/Team Holzer PFX) fell foul of the conditions and failed to finish. Following the race, BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen, along with BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica paid a visit to the teams and drivers. All three had some valuable words of advice for the youngsters, and tips of fitness and career choice, during what was a lively and good natured exchange. Round 2 of Formula BMW Pacific will be run tomorrow prior to the start of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, with Moss on pole and McDonagh alongside him on the front row. Results Round 1. 1 88 Ross JAMISON (HKG) Meritus 21:13.113 2 38 Simon MOSS*• (RSA) Mahara +29.341 3 3 Aditya PATEL• (IND) Eurasia Motorsport +31.866 4 33 Tasmin PEPPER (RSA) Meritus +44.728 5 22 Sean MCDONAGH (KOR) Team E-Rain +46.462 6 34 Ryuichi NARA (JPN) Team E-Rain +58.352 7 9 Dominic ANG• (MAS) Team Holzer PFX +67.559 8 78 Arvin ROSLAN• (MAS) Mahara +75.615 9 7 Imran SHAHAROM (MAS) Team Holzer PFX +91.514 10 2 Marlon STÖCKINGER*• (PHI) Eurasia Motorsport +122.342 11 92 Omer YOUNAS• (PAK) Team E-Rain 1 Lap 12 6 Gabriel CHAVES (COL) Atlantic Racing Team DNF 13 58 Huzair HARUN RASIP (MAS) Mahara DNF 14 8 Melvin MOH (MAS) Team Holzer PFX DNF *Scholarship driver •Rookie Cup Fastest lap: Ross JAMISON/HKG/Meritus/2:37.816/126.443kph Pole position: Ryuichi NARA/JPN/Team E-Rain/2:13.407
Championship Points Tables after Round 1 Drivers 1. Ross Jamison (HKG/Meritus) 20 points; 2. Simon Moss (RSA/Mahara) 15 points; 3. Aditya Patel (IND/Eurasia Motorsport) 12 points; 4. Tasmin Pepper (RSA/Meritus) 10 points; 5. Sean McDonagh (KOR/Team E-Rain) 8 points; 6. Ryuichi Nara (JPN/Team E-Rain) 7 points; 7. Dominic Ang (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 4 points; 8. Arvin Roslan (MAS/Meritus) 3 points; 9. Imran Shaharom (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 2 points; 10. Marlon Stöckinger (PHI/Eurasia Motorsport) 1 point. Rookie Cup 1.Moss; 2. Patel; 3. Ang; 4. Roslan; 5. Stöckinger; 6. Younas. Teams 1.Meritus, 33 points; 2. Mahara, 15 points; 3. Team E-Rain, 14 points; 4. Eurasia Motorsport, 13 points; 5. Team Holzer PFX, 6 points. Statistics: Winners 2008: Jamison (1); Pole Positions: Nara (1); Moss (1) Podiums: Jamison (1); Moss (1); Patel (1) Rookie Cup Winners: Moss (1) 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 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."
- Nikki Kemp- also photo
Author: maggy (admin2)
Last modified: Saturday, 22.03.2008 - 11:34 More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
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