USA: Laguna Seca: Rob Bunker race notes

Rob Bunker had a solid start to his first Formula BMW USA season. The Bridgewater, N.J., driver scored matching seventh-place finishes in the season-opening double race weekend at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., driving the No. 18 AIM Autosport Formula BMW FB2 car.

Bunker qualified ninth and 11th for the two races, but jumped five positions with fast reflexes in the standing start of each race. He said he prepared for the Formula One-style starts by watching drag-racing on television. "Since I was a little kid, I sat in front of the TV and watched John Force to the [starting] light. Every time the light would go down, I'd slap my hand against something."

Bunker was satisfied with his race finishes. "We need to work on the setup a little bit. But when it comes down to it, it's up to me to make the car work, so I'll work on that myself," he said. "Seven-seven is pretty solid as far as [championship] points are concerned. We'll hunt for a little more, but for the first weekend, it's not bad at all."

The next Formula BMW USA races are scheduled for May 21 and 22 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

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