FORMULA BMW USA - MID-OHIO - ROUND 1 RACE
05/22/2006

Reed Stevens Takes Round 1 Victory
Lexington, Ohio - May 20, 2006... Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA) began the 2006 Formula BMW USA championship exactly where he ended the 2005 season - on the top step of the podium. The 20-year old, from Palo Alto, California won the final round last year and led today's Round 1 race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from start to finish. Jumping into the lead from the outside pole he led Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA) to the checkered flag. Wickens was never more than one second behind Stevens for the entire 17-lap contest. Polesitter and Junior driver David Garza (EuroInternational) fell to third on the start, but held solidly on the last podium position.

The race ended under yellow after a lap 13 accident between Matt Lee (Team Autotecnica) and Joel Jackson (Gelles Racing). The resulting caution period ended the drive of the day by Simona de Silvestro (EuroInternational). Starting from the 10th position the 17-year old moved into sixth on lap four. After a three lap duel with Race Johnson (HBR Motorsport Team USA) she took the fifth position on lap seven and then, only four laps later, moved into fourth, setting the fastest lap of the race (1:27.392).

Other notable performances were given by Gelles Racing teammates John Zartarian and Maxime Pelletier who scored top-10 finishes (8th and 10th) after starting 11th and 12th respectively.

The top-finishing Rookies were Garza (P3), Sebastian Saavedra (P9), Maxime Pelletier (P10), Robert Thorne (P12) and Daniel Morad (P14).

"It is sort of an extension from last season and I want to be sure to stay on top this year. My team and I worked very hard and now we are very happy to be here, but we are not surprised at all," said a delighted Stevens. "The competition this season is stiff having two levels of drivers - the returning drivers that are very competitive and a couple of new drivers and rookies that are also very competitive. I do not expect to be on top every weekend. It will be quite a big fight to take the championship."

Wickens said, "It is great to finish the first race of the season on the podium. Hopefully I can repeat making podium finishes during the season. I want to thank my team and my sponsors. They made a lot of improvements from last year and my car is amazing. They do so much work just to keep me on my feet and keep me fast."

Garza added, "It is a dream come true. I have worked extremely hard. In past years I never got off my go-kart, I was pushing all day long and today it paid off. I want to thank my team and my sponsors. I had a very good car today and I received great support. I started on pole, finished third, but I am not disappointed. Reed and Robert have much more experience in Formula cars. For me it is my first year. I hope I can get better during season, but for now I am really satisfied with my performance."

The Round 2 race is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.

Round 1 - Results (17 laps)
1 Reed Stevens HBR Motorsport Team USA 31:22.707
2 Robert Wickens Team Apex Racing USA 31:22.842
3 David Garza ® EuroInternational 31:23.701
4 Simona de Silvestro EuroInternational 31:24.266
5 Doug Boyer AIM Autosport 31:26.144
6 Race Johnson HBR Motorsport Team USA 31:26.593
7 Adrien Herberts Gelles Racing 31:27.169
8 John Zartarian Gelles Racing 31:27.810
9 Sebastian Saavedra ® Gelles Racing 31:28.125
10 Maxime Pelletier ® Gelles Racing 31:28.977
11 Ryan Campbell Gelles Racing 31:29.612
12 Robert Thorne ® Team Autotecnica 31:30.163
13 Ryan Phinny Hearn Motorsports 31:31.135
14 Daniel Morad ® AIM Autosport 31:31.398
15 Marco Santos Haberfeld & Walker Racing 31:32.757
16 Philip Major Atlantic Racing Team 31:32.758
17 Jules Duc Hearn Motorsports 31:33.788
18 Scott Schroeder American Spirit Grand Prix 31:34.609
19 Jordan Dick ® Team Apex Racing USA 31:37.413
20 Frankie Muniz Jensen Motorsport 31:39.404
21 Yannick Hofman HBR Motorsport Team USA 31:40.567
22 Steven Guerrero ® HBR Motorsport Team USA 15 laps
23 David Farias ® Jensen Motorsport 14 laps
24 Matt Lee Team Autotecnica 12 laps
25 Joel Jackson ® Gelles Racing 12 laps
26 David Rangel Haberfeld & Walker Racing 5 laps

Championship points after 1 of 14 races:
1. Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 20), 2. Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA, 15), 3. David Garza (EuroInternational, 12), 4. Simona de Silvestro (EuroInternational, 10), 5. Doug Boyer (AIM Autosport, 8), 6. Race Johnson (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 6), 7. Adrien Herberts (Gelles Racing, 4), 8. John Zartarian (Gelles Racing, 3), 9. Sebastian Saavedra (Gelles Racing, 2), 10. Maxime Pelletier (Gelles Racing, 1), 11. Ryan Campbell (Gelles Racing, 0), 12. Robert Thorne (Team Autotecnica, 0), 13. Ryan Phinny (Hearn Motorsports, 0), 14. Daniel Morad (AIM Autosport, 0), 15. Marco Santos (Haberfeld & Walker Racing, 0), 16. Philip Major (Atlantic Racing Team, 0), 17. Jules Duc (Hearn Motorsports, 0), 18. Scott Schroeder (American Spirit Grand Prix, 0), 19. Jordan Dick (Team Apex Racing USA, 0), 20. Frankie Muniz (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 21. Yannick Hofman (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 0), 22. Steven Guerrero (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 0), 23. David Farias (Jensen MotorSport, 0), 24. Matt Lee (Autotecnica, 0), 25. Joel Jackson (Gelles Racing, 0), 26. David Rangel (Haberfeld & Walker Racing, 0)

Rookies: 1. David Garza (20), 2. Sebastian Saavedra (15), 3. Maxime Pelletier (12), 4. Robert Thorne (10), 5. Daniel Morad (8), 6. Jordan Dick (6), 7. Steven Guerrero (4), 8. David Farias (3), 9. Joel Jackson (2)

Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2006 the series will be held in Germany, the UK, Asia and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers as young as 15-years old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.

The FB02 race car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is powered by a 140 bhp BMW engine, reaching speeds up to 140 mph and exceeds the FIA safety requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport has developed the FORS (Formula Rescue Race Seat) especially for Formula BMW. The HANS (Head and Neck Support) safety system is also mandatory.

In 2006, Formula BMW will occur five times as a support series to Formula One races. All of the international series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Program as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Nico Rosberg.

BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen, "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Program we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the world of motor racing. Formula BMW has become one of the top entry-level classes for Formula racing worldwide."

From November 24 to 26, 2006 the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo will host the second Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

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