Indianapolis, Ind. - June 18, 2005. Formula BMW USA continued to make history at Indianapolis today as 18-year old James Davison (HBR Motorsport Team USA) won Round 7 of the 2005 Formula BMW USA Series. He finished 3.534 seconds ahead of Richard Philippe (Team Autotecnica) in the 13-lap contest, becoming the fourth winner of the season. Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA) came from the 10th starting position to finish third.
Davison became the second Australian to ever win a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix circuit. Making the victory even sweeter, the first Aussie winner here was his cousin Alex in 2002, keeping the Indy-winning a family affair.
The race was under caution almost as soon as it began. Reed Stevens, Ryan Campbell and Rob Bunker got together just as the green flag waved and the resulting yellow flag slowed the race for three laps. Stevens and Campbell retired, but Bunker was able to continue after pitting. One lap after the restart, Davison was in the lead. He was challenged by polesitter Jonathan Summerton and Philippe, but, as the two battled, Davison was able to pull away. He set the fastest lap of the race (1:37.326) on his 10th lap.
Summerton finished sixth. On the eighth lap, while in third, he was hit in the rear by Kevin Lacroix and the resulting damage slowed his car.
For the first time this season, Rookie drivers finished in the top-five positions with Davison (P1), Philippe (P2), Wickens (P3), Hegewald (P4) and Piscopo (P5).
Following the race IMSA Stewards penalized Wickens two points for passing under the yellow. Lacroix has been placed on probation. Campbell will lose his 15th starting position in tomorrow's Round 8 race and start from the rear of the field. Lacroix is now tied with Wickens for the lead in Overall points. Wickens takes over the lead in Rookie points.
BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen said, "We saw an exciting race with lots of overtaking action like we are used to seeing at oval races. Finally, it was a clear victory for James Davison who performed superbly today. The main issue for BMW is to see all these young drivers developing in all four Formula BMW Series from race to race."
Through a very large smile Davison said, "I had a great start. When the Safety Car came out I concentrated on keeping right behind Jonathan. At the green, he moved out to pass Richard in Turn 1. Richard ran wide and I was into second. On the next lap I slipstreamed past Summerton and then was by myself for the rest of the race. I am delighted with my drive today. To be the second Aussie, and Davison, to win here is something I am still trying to get my head around."
Philippe said, "I am back up to third in Overall points, only 10 points from the lead. I had a great car and a great start today. Everything seems fine. Tomorrow, I start second so I just need to focus on the same good start. If there is a restart tomorrow, I will have a much better idea of what to do - and what not to do."
Wickens said, "It is amazing how consistent our new team has become. I don't think anyone thought we would be leading the Overall points at the half-way point of the season. Hopefully, I can just never look back."
Round 8 is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Round 7 - Results (13 laps)
1 James Davison (R) (HBR Motorsport Team USA) 24:59.159
2 Richard Philippe (R) (Team Autotecnica) 25:02.693
3 Robert Wickens (R) (Team Apex Racing USA) 25:05.221
4 Tobias Hegewald (R) (Atlantic Racing Team) 25:05.454
5 Edoardo Piscopo (R) (EuroInternational) 25:06.162
6 Jonathan Summerton (Walker Racing) 25:06.810
7 Daniel Herrington (Jensen MotorSport) 25:07.795
8 Tom Sutherland (HBR Motorsport Team USA) 25:09.035
9 Race Johnson (R) (HBR Motorsport Team USA) 25:09.427
10 Justin Moon (R) (Gelles Racing) 25:09.883
11 John Zartarian (R) (Jensen MotorSport) 25:10.956
12 Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing) 25:11.154
13 Doug Boyer (R) (Jensen MotorSport) 25:14.318
14 Matthew Lee (R) (Twintooth/BRM Motorsport) 25:20.765
15 Adrien Herberts (R) (Atlantic Racing Team) 25:21.542
16 Nathan DePagter (DRE Autosport) 25:21.773
17 Rob Bunker (R) (AIM Autosport) 25:26.249
18 Jules Duc (R) (Jensen MotorSport) 25:32.581
19 Darin Marcus (R) (Gelles Racing) 25:36.388
20 Robbie Pecorari (Walker Racing) 12 laps
21 Kevin Lacroix (R) (AIM Autosport) 10 laps
22 Derek Burseth (Burseth Racing) 2 laps
23 Ryan Campbell (R) (Gelles Racing) 0 laps
24 Reed Stevens (R) (HBR Motorsport Team USA) 0 laps
Championship points after 7 of 14 races:
1. Kevin Lacroix (AIM Autosport, 72), 2. Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA, 72), 3. Richard Philippe (Team Autotecnica, 64), 4. Maxime Soulet (Gelles Racing, 63), 5. James Davison (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 55), 6. Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 49), 7. Edoardo Piscopo (EuroInternational, 26), 8. John Zartarian (Jensen MotorSport, 23), 9. Tobias Hegewald (Atlantic Racing Team, 22), 10. Jonathan Summerton (Walker Racing, 21), 11. Justin Moon (Gelles Racing, 19), 12. Rob Bunker (AIM Autosport, 18), 13. Daniel Herrington (Jensen MotorSport, 18), 14. Tom Sutherland (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 16), 15. Race Johnson (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 10), 16. Matthew Lee (Twintooth/BRM Motorsport, 8), 17. Darin Marcus (Gelles Racing, 4), 18. Doug Boyer (Jensen MotorSport, 2), 19. Adrien Herberts (Atlantic Racing Team, 2), 20. Paul Rees (Walker Racing, 1), 21. Derek Burseth (Burseth Racing, 0), 20. Ryan Campbell (Gelles Racing, 0), 21. Nathan DePagter (DRE Autosport, 0), 22. Jules Duc (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 23. Scott Harnell (SDH3 with Cinema Concepts, 0), 24. Ryan Phinny (Gelles Racing, 0), 25. Paul Rees (Walker Racing, 0), 26. Robbie Pecorari (Walker Racing, 0)
Rookies: 1. Robert Wickens (85), 2. Kevin Lacroix (75), 3. Richard Philippe (69), 4. James Davison (61), 5. Reed Stevens (56), 6. Edoardo Piscopo (32), 7. Rob Bunker (31), 8. John Zartarian (31), 9. Justin Moon (26), 10. Race Johnson (25), 11. Tobias Hegewald (22), 12. Matthew Lee (18), 13. Darin Marcus (13), 14. Adrien Herberts (11), 15. Doug Boyer (7), 16. Ryan Campbell (3), 17. Jules Duc (2), 18. Nathan DePagter (0), 19. Ryan Phinny (0),
Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series will be held in Germany, Britain, Asia 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 140 mph and by far exceeds the 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.
In 2005, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One support program. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and Christian Klien.
BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Program we have designed specially 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."
In December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get a Formula One test drive.
- Heike Bartsch, BMW -
