FORMULA BMW USA - MID-OHIO - ROUND 2 RACE
05/22/2006

Rookie Daniel Morad Takes Round 2 Win
Lexington, Ohio - May 21, 2006... Formula BMW USA Rookie driver Daniel Morad (AIM Autosport) took the Round 2 victory today at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, finishing 1.295 seconds ahead of John Zartarian (Gelles Racing) in the 15-lap contest. He set the fastest time of the race (1:33.166) on the penultimate lap as he chased Morad. Adrien Herberts (Gelles Racing), coming from 15th starting position, finished third.

Morning rain meant the entire 26-car field started on rain tires and the wet track changed the complexion of the race in the second turn of the 2.25-mile, 13 turn circuit. Front row starter Simona de Silvestro (EuroInternational) and fourth place starter Reed Stevens (HBR Motorsport Team USA) got together in the 'Keyhole' turn bringing out the only caution period of the race.

Polesitter David Garza (EuroInternational) inherited the lead and held it for three laps after the green flag flew on lap four. Morad, who had moved up from his 12th starting position, passed Garza and Robert Wickens (Team Apex Racing USA), who had to pit from second for a black flag, on lap seven. By lap eight the front of the field saw Morad first, Zartarian second and Doug Boyer (AIM Autosport) third. Boyer fell off course on lap 12 and Herberts took over the last podium position.

Zartarian, Herberts, fourth-place finisher Ryan Campbell and fifth-place finisher Sebastian Saavedra capped an excellent day for Gelles Racing as the team took four of the top-five spots.

The top-finishing Rookies were Morad (P1), Sebastian Saavedra (P5), David Garza (P8), Robert Thorne (P9) and Maxime Pelletier (P11).

"I am actually surprised myself and am really excited," said a delighted Morad. "I didn't really expect to be in fourth place right after the start. At the start I stayed right behind my teammate Doug Boyer and we made it through this mess. The full course caution came out and everyone just bunched up. I was patient, got into the lead and pulled away. Near the end John Zartarian started closing in, but I stayed on the track and took the finish line first."

Zartarian said, "I was trying to be cautious in the beginning of the race with all the cars flying off of the track because of the wet surface. I was cautious enough to stay on the track, carry as much speed and make as much time as I could. By the end of the race I found myself in second and Daniel right in front of me." He added, "I am always looking for the best line and in the rain I have been fast all weekend in the practice sessions. I didn't have such a great qualifying, but I knew in the rain I would have an advantage because of my experience. You have to be creative and smart in how to approach a wet track. Obviously, with the result today the team made a great effort."

Herberts said, "I came from starting position 15 to third and I am not quite sure yet what I did. Obviously I had a good start. I went on the outside of corner one and got by ten cars. At that point I found myself in fifth after one lap. I guess I had some good luck going my way. But when you work hard, you get luck. Robert Wickens got a black flag and Doug Boyer crashed out and all of a sudden I was third. I tried to play the cautious game, keeping the guys behind me, to bring home third."

Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2006 Formula BMW USA Championship will be held next weekend at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.

Round 2 - Results (15 laps)
1 Daniel Morad ® AIM Autosport 28:09.485
2 John Zartarian Gelles Racing 28:10.780
3 Adrien Herberts Gelles Racing 28:19.147
4 Ryan Campbell Gelles Racing 28:19.905
5 Sebastian Saavedra ® Gelles Racing 28:20.106
6 Scott Schroeder American Spirit Grand Prix 28:21.315
7 Race Johnson HBR Motorsport Team USA 28:22.798
8 David Garza ® EuroInternational 28:32.195
9 Robert Thorne ® Team Autotecnica 28:32.457
10 Jordan Dick ® Team Apex Racing USA 28:32.680
11 Maxime Pelletier ® Gelles Racing 28:35.255
12 Ryan Phinny Hearn Motorsports 28:35.298
13 Jules Duc Hearn Motorsports 28:35.657
14 Yannick Hofman HBR Motorsport Team USA 28:43.617
15 David Rangel Haberfeld & Walker Racing 28:47.338
16 David Farias ® Jensen Motorsport 28:52.513
17 Frankie Muniz Jensen Motorsport 29:04.985
18 Robert Wickens Team Apex Racing USA 29:38.211
19 Marco Santos Haberfeld & Walker Racing 14 laps
20 Matt Lee Team Autotecnica 13 laps
21 Philip Major Atlantic Racing Team 13 laps
22 Doug Boyer AIM Autosport 11 laps
23 Steven Guerrero ® HBR Motorsport Team USA 5 laps
24 Reed Stevens HBR Motorsport Team USA 0 laps
25 Simona de Silvestro EuroInternational 0 laps
26 Joel Jackson ® Gelles Racing DNS

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

Rookies: 1. David Garza (32), 2. Sebastian Saavedra (30), 3. Daniel Morad (28), 4. Robert Thorne (20), 5. Maxime Pelletier (18), 6. Jordan Dick (14), 7. David Farias (7),
8. Steven Guerrero (7), 9. Joel Jackson (4)

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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