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Formula BMW made its European debut in 2002 to provide a complete foundation for a young driver's career.
All drivers in the series can take part in the BMW Education and Coaching Program, which includes:
Some of the successful drivers that have completed in the series include Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Christian Klien and Timo Glock. The Formula BMW was sketched and modeled by DesignworksUSA. The car's body is inspired by the BMW Formula 1 shape. It has a carbon-fiber tub that exceeds FIA safety stands and the bodywork is made from a Kevlar composite. All drivers compete in a Mygale FB02. The Mygale FB02 has Sachs SP3 adjustable shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs. The suspension is a push rod double wishbone design. The car also has aluminum OZ Racing wheels 8" X13" on the front and 10" X13" on the rear. The championship uses Michelin tires. The 1300-lb Mygale FB02 is powered by a K1200RS BMW motorcycle engine (124EA). The four-cylinder double overhead camshaft motor has four valves per cylinder and a displacement of 1171cc. The liquid-cooled unit produces 140 bhp. Power is transferred through a Sachs single-plate clutch and a six-speed sequential Hewland gearbox. The cars can be purchased from BMW Motorsport for $69,500 plus sales tax and import fees. The first Formula BMW USA race was held in 2004 and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association. The 2009 schedule consisted of fourteen rounds at six circuits.
The 2009 Formula BMW USA season ended with rounds thirteen and fourteen at Mosport International Raceway. Drivers would contest the overall and rookie titles on the ten-turn 2.459-mile road course.
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Gianmarco Raimondo entered the final weekend after a disqualification and retirement at Road America. The situation would turn around for the Canadian at Mosport International Raceway. Raimondo qualified on the pole and would lead flag-to-flag for his first series victory. He ended 2009 by starting and finishing in the third position. He finished third in the championship standings. |
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EuroInternational driver Giancarlo Vilarinho and Gabby Chavez took turns leading the championship. After a retirement in Mexico, Vilarinho had a stretch of five consecutive victories. However, a retirement and tenth-place result at Road America ended his title hopes. The driver of the No. 9 Formula BMW would finish third in round thirteen and end the year with a win. Vilarinho was second in the driver standings. |
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Gabby Chavez started the year with a pair of victories and the points lead. However, his main rival, Giancarlo Vilarinho, would string five wins together to take the top spot in the title chase. Chavez had a superior strategy that resulted in finishing on the podium in every race – his worst result was one third place. At Mosport International Raceway, he collected two second-place finishes and won the crown by forty-eight markers. |
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The rookie championship came down to the final weekend. The two front runners were Michael Lewis and James Kovacic. Mid-season Lewis’ points total was negatively impacted by a retirement and disqualification. However, the driver of the No. 42 EuroInternational Formula BMW got back in the hunt with two thirds at Road America. Lewis ended the year with a fourth and fifth – enough to secure the title. |
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Australian James Kovacic finished his first season of the 2009 Formula BMW USA series with a fifth in the final standings and missed the rookie championship by nine points. During the year, Kovacic collected a victory at Lime Rock Park. However, his season unraveled during the final two race weekends. Kovacic retired in round twelve at Road America and did the same in Saturday’s contest at Mosport International Raceway. |
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| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Gianmarco Raimondo | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 2 | 2 | Gabby Chaves | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 3 | 3 | Giancarlo Vilarinho | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 4 | 5 | Alex Ellis | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 5 | 4 | Michael Lewis | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 6 | 7 | J.V. Horto | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 7 | 9 | Daniel Vela | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 8 | 8 | Wilson Philippe | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 9 | 10 | Martin Sala | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 10 | 11 | Barrett Mertins | Mygale FB02 BMW | 15 | - |
| 11 | 6 | James Kovacic | Mygale FB02 BMW | 1 | Accident |
| FINISH | START | DRIVER | CAR | LAPS | RETIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Giancarlo Vilarinho | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 2 | 2 | Gabby Chaves | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 3 | 3 | Gianmarco Raimondo | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 4 | 4 | Michael Lewis | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 5 | 5 | James Kovacic | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 6 | 7 | J.V. Horto | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 7 | 9 | Martin Sala | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 8 | 8 | Daniel Vela | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 9 | 10 | Wilson Philippe | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 10 | 11 | Barrett Mertins | Mygale FB02 BMW | 16 | - |
| 11 | 6 | Alex Ellis | Mygale FB02 BMW | 0 | Did Not Start |
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