FORMULA BMW USA DRIVERS COMPLETE SECOND OFFICIAL TEST OF 2007
SEASON
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 17, 2007-- 18 young drivers recently participated in the
second of three official tests before the 2007 Formula BMW USA season begins on
May 17 at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele Valley, Utah.
Held on April 7th and 8th at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), in Alton, Virginia, the
youngsters completed a combined 6000 miles under cool, crisp and fast conditions.
With no major incidents reducing the track time the ten teams on hand could run
their programs with little interruption.
At the top of the timing chart was 2006 Rookie Champion Daniel Morad (AIM
Autosport). Sophomore Formula BMW USA driver Sebastian Saavedra
(EuroInternational) was only .013 seconds behind and newcomer Alexander Rossi
(Hearn Motorsports) rounded out the top-three. Three Rookies were among the
top-10 fastest with Jeffrey Petriello (Team KMA Racing) fourth, Esteban Gutierrez
(Team Autotecnica) fifth and Eric Morrow (Hearn Motorsports) ninth. Petriello and
Morrow are 2007 Junior scholarship drivers. Overall the top-13 times were within
only one second promising another competitive Formula BMW USA season.
Formula BMW USA driving coach Pete Argetsinger said, "The series seems to go
from strength to strength. This season looks like it will be even better than last year
with strong returning drivers and some strong newcomers. I am very excited for the
season to start."
Notes:
While the newest class of Formula BMW USA drivers tested at VIR, series
graduates continue to shine as they climb the motorsport ladder. Robert Wickens
(2006 Formula BMW USA Champion) took the overall pole and finished second in
the opening round of the Champ Car Atlantic season at the Las Vegas Grand Prix--
In addition to Wickens, seven more Formula BMW USA graduates took part in the
race; James Hinchcliffe (04), Matt Lee (06), Tom Sutherland (04, 05), Simona De
Silvestro (06), Frankie Muniz (06), Adrien Herberts (05, 06) and David Garza (06)--
Graham Rahal (2004 Junior) became the first Formula BMW USA graduate a full-
time Champ Car drive with his start at Las Vegas--
Ten 2007 Formula BMW USA drivers have registered for this season's Education
and Coaching Program. The pre-season Fitness Camp and a Media Training
seminar are scheduled for April 27 - 28 in Indianapolis, IN--
-credit: bmw.usa
