32 Drivers Complete the Formula BMW Asia Scholarship Course at BIC
30/1/2005: The BMW Performance Center Bahrain recently completed a two day training and evaluation course for drivers wanting to race in the Formula BMW Asia Championship. The course was open to drivers between the ages of 15 and 21 years.
A total of 32 aspiring drivers took part in the course, each qualifying for an international C racing licence. The best 4 drivers were offered scholarships in the Formula BMW Asia Championship. Following their successful culmination of the course at Bahrain International Circuit they will become BMW Junior Drivers enrolled in BMW’s one- year Education and Coaching Programme. Each of the 4 drivers will also receive $ 50,000 toward their costs for the year. One of the chosen 4, Michelle Bumgarner, was the first girl to compete on the circuit.
BMW Performance Center has 10 Formula BMW cars at the Bahrain International Circuit. The powerful engine is taken from the BMW K 1200 RS motorcycle. It produces 140 bhp, which can accelerate the 455-kg car from standing to 100kph in less than 4 seconds and to a top speed of up to 230 kph depending on the gear ratios used. The ultra-lightweight engine is a horizontal in- line four cylinder resulting in much lower centre of gravity. This means that car enjoys great handling and cornering performance. There are no onboard extras such as traction control so the driver must learn to control the car himself.
The BMW Performance Center Bahrain is now open for business and drivers of all ages can experience the sensation of race driving at the Formula BMW Racing Center or learn to be safer road drivers with BMW Driver Training’s road cars.
For further information contact Michelle Rhodes at the Circuit on
+973 1745 1744.
