Formula BMW Pacific makes motorsport history in Singapore

It was a day of firsts as Formula BMW Pacific made motorsport history when the field of 17 became the first cars to take to the brand-new Marina Bay street circuit. Later, in qualifying, guest driver Doru Sechelariu (18/ROM/Meritus) took his first-ever pole in a time of 2:21.843 for Round 12, with his second-fastest qualifying lap giving him pole for Round 13.

After completing his first season in Formula BMW Europe, Sechelariu joined the Formula BMW Pacific series in order to gain more driving experience. The Romanian was thrilled with his first-ever pole, and said that coming to Singapore, he expected to perform well.

"I think we did a very good job," Sechelariu said. "The car had a good set-up and taking my first pole is a very nice feeling. I was able to improve every lap."

Joining Sechelariu on the front row for Rounds 12 and 13 is current series’ leader, Ross Jamison (18/HKG/Meritus).

"The circuit has a lot of character," said Jamison, describing his impressions of the street circuit, his first. "It feels good and the landmarks are pretty cool, although I have to say that when you’re driving you don’t get to see them. You feel quite privileged to be the first cars on the track."

Qualifying third for both races this weekend is guest driver Ollie Millroy (18/GBR/Motaworld), who has also just finished a season in Formula BMW Europe.

In fourth for Round 12, and fifth for the second race, is Colombian Gabby Chaves (15/Atlantic Racing Team) who, despite only being out on track for two laps, was able to achieve his best qualifying result this season. It was a bittersweet experience for Chaves, who was happy with the result, but felt he could have done better had it not been for a loose spark plug.

"It’s a bit sad because finally everything comes together and there is just one little problem," said Chaves, who comes to Singapore seventh in the points standings.

Chaves has lots to say about the circuit and immediately declared it as his favourite. "It’s a different world and it completely blew my mind," he said. "The rush of adrenaline is just amazing."

Formula BMW Junior Chris Wootton (19/AUS/Meritus) was the fastest rookie in qualifying and will start from fifth on the grid for the first race, and fourth for the second.

"I can’t complain," Wootton said of his qualifying result. "Naturally any driver wants more, so we’ll have to see how we go in the race."

1 15 Doru SECHELARIU#(ROM) Meritus 2:21.843

2 88 Ross JAMISON (HKG) Meritus +0.296

3 20 Ollie MILLROY# (GBR) Motaworld +0.654

4 53 Gabriel CHAVES (COL) Atlantic Racing Team +0.666

5 68 Chris WOOTTON*• (AUS) Meritus +1.596

6 34 Ryuichi NARA (JPN) Team E-Rain +1.817

7 38 Simon MOSS*• (RSA) Mahara +2.138

8 22 Sean MCDONAGH (KOR) Team E-Rain +2.153

9 8 Melvin MOH (MAS) Team Holzer PFX +2.516

10 9 Dominic ANG• (MAS) Team Holzer PFX +2.519

11 2 Marlon STÖCKINGER*• (PHI) Eurasia Motorsport +2.726

12 11 Rio HARYANTO# (IDN) Pacific Racing +3.241

13 33 Tasmin PEPPER# (RSA) Meritus +3.620

14 7 Imran SHAHAROM (MAS) Team Holzer PFX +3.690

15 10 Asad RAHMAN# (UAE) Motaworld +3.837

16 12 Ryan HARYANTO# (IDN) Pacific Racing +4.948

17 3 Aditya PATEL• (IND) Eurasia Motorsport +6.705

1 15 Doru SECHELARIU#(ROM) Meritus 2:22.245

2 88 Ross JAMISON (HKG) Meritus 2:22.551

3 20 Ollie MILLROY# (GBR) Motaworld 2:22.678

4 68 Chris WOOTTON*• (AUS) Meritus 2:23.801

5 53 Gabriel CHAVES (COL) Atlantic Racing Team 2:23.886

6 22 Sean MCDONAGH (KOR) Team E-Rain 2:24.121

7 34 Ryuichi NARA (JPN) Team E-Rain 2:24.311

8 8 Melvin MOH (MAS) Team Holzer PFX 2:24.737

9 2 Marlon STÖCKINGER*• (PHI) Eurasia Motorsport 2:24.886

10 9 Dominic ANG• (MAS) Team Holzer PFX 2:25.180

11 38 Simon MOSS*• (RSA) Mahara 2:25.386

12 10 Asad RAHMAN# (UAE) Motaworld 2:25.771

13 7 Imran SHAHAROM (MAS) Team Holzer PFX 2:25.911

14 33 Tasmin PEPPER# (RSA) Meritus 2:26.169

15 11 Rio HARYANTO# (IDN) Pacific Racing 2:26.244

16 12 Ryan HARYANTO# (IDN) Pacific Racing 2:27.030

17 3 Aditya PATEL• (IND) Eurasia Motorsport 2:30.535

Championship Points Tables after Round 11.

Drivers 1.Ross Jamison (HKG/Meritus) 150 points; 2. Sean McDonagh (KOR/Team E-Rain) 128 points; 3. Simon Moss (RSA/Mahara) 90 points; 4. Melvin Moh (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 82 points; 5. Ryuichi Nara (JPN/Team E-Rain) 71 points; 6. Chris Wootton (AUS/Meritus) 65 points; 7. Gabriel Chaves (COL/Atlantic Racing Team) 62 points; 8. Marlon Stöckinger (PHI/Eurasia Motorsport) 61 points; 9. Imran Shaharom (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 45 points; 10. Arvin Roslan (MAS/Meritus) 40 points; 11. Aditya Patel (IND/Eurasia Motorsport) 39 points; 12. Dominic Ang (MAS/Team Holzer PFX) 38 points; 13. Tasmin Pepper (RSA/Meritus) 22 points; 14. Huzair Harun Rasip (MAS/Mahara) 7 points; 15. Omer Younas (PAK/Team E-Rain) 1 point.

Rookie Cup 1.Moss; 2. Wootton; 3. Stöckinger; 4. Roslan; 5. Patel; 6. Ang; 7. Younas.

Teams 1.Meritus, 276 points; 2. Team E-Rain, 193 points; 3. Team Holzer PFX, 164 points; 4. Eurasia Motorsport, 100 points; 5. Mahara, 95 points; 6. Atlantic Racing Team, 62 points

Winners 2008: Jamison (4); Moss (2); Nara (2); McDonagh (2); Moh (1)

Pole Positions: Moss (2); McDonagh (6); Nara (1); Moh (1); Jamison (1); Sechelariu (2)

Podiums: Jamison (8); Moss (4); Patel (1); McDonagh (6); Moh (4); Chaves (1); Nara (3); Manzur (1); Stöckinger (1); Wootton (4)

Rookie Cup Winners: Moss (5); Stöckinger (3); Roslan (1); Wootton (2)

- Nikki Kemp Hong Kong-