Even prior to its 2006 season kick-off, the Formula BMW UK Championship attracted true British motor racing celebrities. In the past season, WTCC ace Andy Priaulx acted as the series’ official mentor and the 1992 Formula One World Champion, Nigel Mansell, was the successful series’ ambassador.

In the first eight rounds of the season alone, the extremely competitive grid came up with six different race winners. But this wasn’t the only factor again confirming the Formula BMW reputation as Great Britain’s most promising young-gun series in 2006. Also contributing to this reputation were classic circuits such as Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Donington hosting the 20 thrilling rounds.

Niall Breen (IRL) was the driver who turned out as best racer of the year. He did so in superior style, by winning the title with a 95-point lead over runner-up Oliver Turvey (GBR). Up to the eighth round, the championship seemed to be open but then Breen raised his game: In the following eight rounds, he secured six race wins, thus laying the foundation stone for his title. When he was crowned new champion at Knockhill, Breen said: "It feels just great. It’s a dream to win the championship, and I hope that this will be just the start to further successes."

"Niall Breen is the first Irishman to ever have won the Formula BMW UK Championship", said BMW Motorsport Mario Theissen. "Congratulations for this successful and thrilling season." And Breen’s Fortec Motorsport Team had even more reason to cheer: Henry Arundel (GBR) secured the Rookie Cup title as best newcomer.

There are already many new talents waiting to battle it out with the established drivers in the coming season. Anthony Comas, Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, Tom Gladdis, Henry Surtees und Oliver Webb will be participants in the 2007 Formula BMW education and coaching programme. With Surtees and Comas following in the footsteps of Leo and Greg Mansell – the sons of the former F1 World Champion – as offspring of former Formula One aces making their Formula BMW UK Championship debuts.

Niall Breen started his motor racing career on the "Green Island", Ireland. He was fascinated by karting already as a little boy and contested his maiden race at just eight years old. Quickly he secured his first race wins and titles and soon Ireland’s motor racing scene got too limited for the gifted teenager. The Formula BMW UK Championship offered Breen the chance of making the step to Great Britain. In 2005, he contested his maiden season in the young-gun series and finished a respectable twelfth. In the following season, the now 20-year-old secured the championship title.

Considering the fact that Breen is not only racing in the Formula BMW UK Championship, but successfully studies law at the same time, his achievements are even more impressive. After all, the young man from Dundalk hasn’t got a lot of leisure time. Still, he has set himself ambitious goals both at university and in motor racing:

"Next year I want to race in Formula 3", says Breen. In the past season, he proved that he’s got what it needs to successfully do so. Following his back-to-back wins in his home event at Mondello Park, Breen most definitely was the title favourite. He secured the title in impressive style: With 16 podium finishes – 13 of them scored consecutively – and nine wins, Breen established new Formula BMW UK Championship records in 2006.

Henry Miles Fitzalan-Howard, Earl of Arundel and Surrey: that’s the full name of the 2006 Formula BMW UK Championship Rookie Cup winner. His rivals, however, will know the best newcomer of the season better under the short version of his name: Henry Arundel. As son of the Duke of Norfolk, the 18-year-old driver comes from England’s oldest county and is an offspring of probably the oldest English peerage, with its history going back to the 14th century.

With his successful Formula BMW UK Championship debut season, Arundel made a unique family chronicle entry. With 276 points on his tally, he defeated Kimiya Sato (JPN) in the battle for the Rookie Cup title. Together with champion Breen, Arundel provided his team, Fortec Motorsport, with the biggest success availale: Both titles ere secured by the same team. In the coming season, Arundel will have the chance of making the next step on the motor racing ladder as participant in the BMW education and coaching programme.

Driver Brands Hatch Mondello Park Oulton Park Brands Hatch Thruxton Croft Donington Snetterton Knockhill Silverstone Total

1. Niall Breen (IRL) - 15 21 20 10 - 13 12 21 21 21 21 13 21 15 20 15 10 15 20 304

2. Oliver Turvey (GBR) - - - - - - 20 16 8 10 8 12 20 15 5 16 21 21 21 16 209

3. Ross Curnow (GBR) 6 6 15 12 15 21 8 6 2 4 15 15 8 10 20 12 6 15 6 6 203

4. Euan Hankey (GBR)* 12 21 10 - 20 8 10 - 12 12 4 10 15 8 6 10 3 15 8 4 188

5. Michael Meadows (GBR) 15 12 12 10 - - 15 8 15 15 6 8 3 0 2 6 - - 12 12 151

6. Oliver Oakes (GBR) 21 10 6 16 1 10 4 10 10 6 10 4 4 6 - 4 12 12 - - 136

7. Jomathan Legris (GBR) - - - - 13 12 - - 6 8 3 - 10 12 10 - 2 4 - 10 90

8. Michael Patrizi (AUS) 10 4 8 8 6 4 1 - 3 - 12 6 - - 8 - - - 3 - 73

9. Henry Arundel (GBR) 4 2 - 6 2 - 3 - - 1 2 3 - - 12 2 10 8 - 8 63

10. Kimiya Sato (JPN)* 1 8 - - - - - 1 4 3 - 1 6 4 1 - 8 - 2 - 39

Driver Brands Hatch Mondello Park Oulton Park Brands Hatch Thruxton Croft Donington Snetterton Knockhill Silverstone Total

1. Henry Arundel (GBR) 15 12 - 20 15 15 15 10 - 12 20 20 6 12 20 20 20 20 4 20 276

2. Kimiya Sato (JPN)* 10 20 10 3 6 4 12 15 20 20 12 12 20 20 12 4 15 8 12 10 245

3. Niall Quinn (IRL) 20 10 20 15 20 - 20 20 12 15 10 - 4 15 10 12 10 12 - 6 231

4. Greg Mansell (GBR) 12 15 15 12 12 12 - 12 6 - - 15 10 8 15 15 12 - 15 15 201

5. Matthew Hamilton (GBR)* 4 8 12 10 10 20 1 8 4 6 8 8 12 10 8 10 8 10 20 12 189

6. Jack Clarke (GBR)* 8 6 2 6 - 10 10 6 15 10 15 10 15 3 - 1 - 2 8 4 131

7. Daniel Murray (IRL)* 2 4 - 8 1 8 6 - 10 8 - - - 2 - 2 - 15 10 8 84

8. Tom Dunstan (GBR) 3 1 6 4 8 0 3 2 1 2 4 - - 6 - 6 6 6 6 3 67

9. Roger Orgee (GBR)* 1 3 4 - 2 - 4 4 8 4 6 6 - 2 6 3 4 4 3 1 65

10. Marcus Weller (GBR)* 6 2 8 - 3 - 8 3 3 - 3 4 - - - 8 3 3 2 2 58

- Benjamin TITZ, BMW -