Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship Trials.
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."
- Nikki Kemp, Hong Kong -
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