PAC: Team Meritus race two report

MAXIMUM POINTS AGAIN FOR MERITUS' RIO IN SINGAPORE

MARINA BAY, SINGAPORE (SEPT 27, 2009):Questnet Qi Team Meritus driver Rio Haryanto collected maximum points in Round 12 of the Formula BMW Pacific when he finished fifth at the Marina Bay Circuit today.

The top four places were won by guest drivers from the Formula BMW Americas and Europe teams. Rio collected 20 points as race winner Felipe Nasr, the newly crowned Formula BMW Europe champion, second placed Michael Lewis of the United States, his compatriot James Kovacic and Britain's Jack Harvey are not eligible for points due to their guest driver status.

Nasr stormed home in a time of 25:04.720s, Lewis clocked 25:08.606, Kovacic crossed the finishing line in 25:08.606s while Harvey finished in 25:09.567s.Rio, who upset the field when he finished second behind Nasr in Round 11 yesterday, clocked 25:10.623s.

Meritus owner Firhat Mokhzani said Rio opted for a tactical race as his main intention was to collect full points to extend his lead in the drivers' championship.

"It was a good race against some very good and aggressive drivers. We knew it wasn't going to be easy and that is why I told Rio to play it smart," said Firhat.

"There was a safety car on lap seven and after it left, the guest drivers started pushing very hard. I didn't want Rio to be caught up as our priority is to win the drivers' and team championships."

Rio's main rival for the title, Gary Thompson could only finish 11th overall and seventh in the Pacific standings.

Last year, Meritus was the first team to win on the Marina Bay Circuit when Romania's Doru Sechelariu won both Formula BMW races there. It was double celebration for Asia's most successful motorsport team as Ross Jamison finished second, before eventually winning the drivers' crown.

The full points tally will be released later by the race organisers.

-credit: qqtm