Formula BMW

PAC: Sentul rounds 8 to 11 preview

Indonesia brings new testing ground. Sepang, Malaysia -- As Formula BMW Pacific embarks on the second half of the 2008 season, Indonesia's 3.960km Sentul International Circuit represents a new testing ground for the region's fledgling talent.

Published: Jul 8, 2008, 10:12 PM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Indonesia brings new testing ground.

Sepang, Malaysia -- As Formula BMW Pacific embarks on the second half of the 2008 season, Indonesia's 3.960km Sentul International Circuit represents a new testing ground for the region's fledgling talent. With the first seven rounds run on Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit, albeit on both the Grand Prix and short tracks, the Indonesian circuit will bring fresh challenges for the series newcomers.

However, one driver with the advantage of previous experience of the circuit is championship leader Ross Jamison of Hong Kong (18/Meritus), contesting his second season of Formula BMW Pacific this year. Jamison holds a 12 points lead over Sean McDonagh (18/USA/Team E-Rain), who has also raced there before, scoring his first series podium in Indonesia in 2007.

Although both drivers will have the advantage of track experience, there is no doubt that McDonagh's E-Rain team mate Ryuichi Nara (19/JPN) will be a man to watch. Having been plagued with bad luck at the start of the season, Nara had a chance to really show his talent in May with two race wins and a podium finish in three races. It is likely the Japanese ace will continue his blinding form in the second half of the season.

Lady Luck has not been smiling recently on talented South African and Formula BMW Junior Simon Moss (16/Mahara). Although Moss still leads the Rookie Cup standings, after a podium finish in his first ever Formula BMW Pacific race, followed by two wins, he was the confronted by a catalogue of misfortunes which included a cracked monocoque which forced him to sit out two races and miss out on valuable points.

Second in the Rookie Cup standings is another Formula BMW Junior, Marlon Stockinger (17/PHI/Eurasia Motorsport). Gaining confidence with every outing and, like Moss, benefitting from the series' comprehensive Education & Coaching Programme, Stockinger scored his first podium finish in Round 7 in May.

Third in the Rookie Cup going in to Round 8 is Team Holzer PFX racer Dominic Ang of Malaysia (18), who is keeping the Rookie Cup title in sight through consistent performances.

The youngest driver in the field, and the series' only South American, Gabby Chaves of Colombia, is also learning the ropes quickly. He and series newcomers Atlantic Racing Team already have one podium finish to their names, but will be facing a track of which they have no previous experience when they arrive in Indonesia.

Formula BMW Junior Chris Wootton of Australia (19/Meritus), who was forced to sit out the opening two rounds due to licensing issues, has rapidly made up for lost time in the car, finishing on the podium in Malaysia in May.

The Formula BMW Juniors were recently given an opportunity to visit the BMW Sauber F1 Team factory at Hinwil in Switzerland, and attend a test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. The drivers attended Education & Coaching seminars and toured the factory, and experienced a tour of the garage, were given pit lane and team radio access, and got to meet their heroes -- Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica -- during the test.

Rounds 8 and 9 of Formula BMW Pacific will be held on Saturday, July 19, with Rounds 10 and 11 on the Sunday. All races will be over 15 Laps.

-credit: bmw.asia

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article EU: Series Silverstone race two report

Next article Fisichella Motor Sport Silverstone summary

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Nicki Thiim's cheeky F1 jab: "Max Verstappen just wants to drive a proper race car!"

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

Nicki Thiim's cheeky F1 jab: "Max Verstappen just wants to drive a proper race car!"

MotoGP riders say 850cc bikes will be less physical and more fun to ride

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Indonesian GP

30 min

MotoGP riders say 850cc bikes will be less physical and more fun to ride

How the M8B became the most dominant car in McLaren’s history

General

How the M8B became the most dominant car in McLaren’s history

Christian Horner calls for F1 budget cap rethink: "Teams are spending $500 or $600m"

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

Singapore GP

2 h

Christian Horner calls for F1 budget cap rethink: "Teams are spending $500 or $600m"

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts