It’s seems to be a kind of tradition: The battle for the Formula BMW USA title is taken down to the series’ final race weekend. Just as it was the case in the previous two seasons, the final round in the young-gun series again turned out to be the crucial one for the title decision. Therefore, excitement was guaranteed when the four title contenders, Robert Wickens (CAN), Matt Lee (USA), Simona de Silvestro (ITA) and Reed Stevens (USA), went out to contest the crucial final round at the "Mosport International Raceway".
When 16-year-old Lee crossed the line as the winner, it seemed as if he would be in the best position to secure the title. But in the end, sixth place was enough for Wickens to clinch the title in his home race. "Robert Wickens won in a thrilling season finale against Matt Lee", said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "The fact that the title fight was decided that late says a lot about the quality and competitiveness of the series."
Wickens, who attended the BMW education and coaching programme, was over the moon: "I just can’t describe how happy I’m now", he beamed. "Never before have I been as nervous as I was prior to this race. It’s great to have won the championship and to have this title in my CV." The 2006 Rookie Cup title was secured by Daniel Morad (CAN) – and of course, he did so only in the final round.
At the same time, Wickens’ EuroInternational team-mate, Simona de Silvestro, came close to becoming the first woman to secure the Formula BMW USA title, but at the end of the day, she didn’t quite make it. Still, the Italian can be proud of her achievements: with five podium finishes and having finished fourth in the championship, she proved to be the most successful women in Formula BMW history. Furthermore, she secured two third places in the rounds held in the support programme of the US Grand Prix, thus being the first women to ever have secured podium finishes at the classic "Indianapolis Motor Speedway".
The thrilling season finale turned out to be just the highlight of an extremely successful Formula BMW USA season. 25 drivers from the US, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Jamaica and Italy were on the grid for the season kick-off. Including the guest drivers, the entrants added up to 32 racers. Among them Hollywood actors such as Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) and top model Maryeve Dufault (CAN).
2006 Formula BMW USA winners.
"Compared to last year, when I finished third, I made two steps forward", said Robert Wickens regarding his Formula BMW USA triumph. And the young gun from Ontario, Canada, wasn’t talking about his improvement by two championship positions alone. Wickens also benefited from the BMW education and coaching programme he attended in 2006.
The extensive BMW training programme was one of the factors providing Wickens with the consistency he needed to succeed in a season that took a rather turbulent course for him. With eight rounds of the season contested, the 17-year-old moved from Team Apex Racing USA to the EuroInternational squad and competed as guest driver in the Formula BMW Germany Championship, when an event of the sister series was held as part of the European Formula One GP’s support programme at the Nürburgring. Furthermore, Wickens gained international experience as early as in 2005 when finishing sixth in the Formula BMW World Final at Bahrain and representing Formula BMW in the legendary "Race of Champions" held in Paris, France.
Now, Wickens is waiting what the future will bring. One thing is certain: The reigning Formula BMW USA champion is going to continue motor racing on a high level. He has got advice for all those who want to follow his footsteps in North America’s most successful young-gun series: "Motor racing in North America has made big progress, with Formula BMW USA having massively contributed to this development. The drivers that have outgrown kart racing know that this is the place to be."
The rookie title also was secured by a driver from the Canadian province of Ontario. Daniel Morad proved to be the best Formula BMW USA newcomer. And the 16-year-old did so despite nearly having given up his title hopes, with four more rounds to go. "Following the races at San Jose, I thought that our chances of winning the Rookie Cup were over. But then, I won the rookie rankings in three of the final four races. An incredible feeling." But the Team AIM Autosport driver didn’t impress in the rookie rankings alone. At the same time, he also won a championship race and secured another podium finish.
In 2007, Morad, who seems to always be calm and confident, is going to return to the Formula BMW USA Championship. Then he will do so with a BMW scholarship under his belt. As the best rookie of the 2006 season, he secured the right to automatically participate in the BMW education and coaching programme. This represents an additional motivation for the young driver from Ontario. In any case, Morad has made a first step on the way to achieving his ultimate goal: to become Canada’s next single-seater racing star.
2006 Formula BMW USA.
Driver Mid-Ohio Lime Rock MontréalF1 IndianapolisF1 San Jose Denver Mosport Total
1. Robert Wickens (CAN)* 15 - 20 6 12 2 20 15 - 20 10 12 10 7 149
2. Matt Lee (USA) - - 4 20 15 15 10 10 - 15 20 2 12 20 143
3. Reed Stevens (USA) 20 - 12 - 8 - - - 20 12 15 20 20 15 142
4. Simona de Silvestro (ITA) 10 - 15 - 10 12 12 12 10 10 - 6 15 1 113
5. Stefano Coletti (MON) - - - - 20 20 15 20 - - - - - - 75
6. Daniel Morad (CAN) - 20 - 15 6 - - - - 8 8 10 6 2 75
7. John Zartarian (USA) 3 15 - 12 2 - - - 6 6 12 4 8 3 71
8. Race Johnson (USA) 6 4 6 8 3 - - - 8 3 3 - 1 10 52
9. Ryan Phinny (USA) - - - - - 8 6 6 1 - 6 15 1 - 43
10. David Garza (MEX)* 12 3 8 - - - - 1 12 2 1 3 - 1 42
Rookie Cup.
Driver Mid-Ohio Lime Rock MontréalF1 IndianapolisF1 San Jose Denver Road Atlanta Total
1. Daniel Morad (CAN) 8 20 3 20 20 4 10 10 3 20 20 20 20 12 189
2. Sebastian Saavedra (COL) 15 15 20 10 10 3 20 20 6 4 15 15 12 4 166
3. Maxime Pelletier (FRA)* 12 6 12 15 12 20 8 12 15 12 8 10 6 15 163
4. David Garza (MEX)* 20 12 15 4 4 12 12 15 20 15 10 12 10 3 161
5. Robert Thorne (USA)* 10 10 10 8 3 10 6 6 4 3 12 8 3 20 104
6. Jordan Dick (USA)* 6 8 8 12 15 6 3 8 12 6 4 3 8 10 103
7. Steven Guerrero (COL) 4 4 6 3 6 15 15 4 10 8 3 6 15 8 96
8. Joel Jackson (JAM) 3 3 4 6 8 8 4 3 8 10 6 4 4 6 71
* BMW Junior
- Benjamin TITZ, BMW -
