Formula BMW Indonesia: The Sentul track is quite technical and it took me a little longer than usual to get to grips with it.
"Last weekend I was sick with a bad cold and not really up to form the way I had wanted it. The Sentul track is quite technical and it took me a little longer than usual to get to grips with it.
For the latest and
NEW images just go to the Gallery or click the Image
above.
Big
crowd at the Sentul race track...
Therefore
my qualifying times were not so fast and I had to
start the first two races from 8th and 9th position
respectively. The first two races on Saturday did not
really go well and I had an accident in race two by
colliding with a competitor on the start finish line.
Not much damage was done to my car but I couldn't
finish the race. This kept me down at the end of the
starting grid for the other two races on Sunday which
went slightly better. Finally my lap times were at
par with the front runners, but I had a hard time
making my way up through the field since everybody
was fiercely defending their positions and I ended up
in 6th and 7th position respectively. Well, not such
a great race weekend to remember. I will now just
concentrate on the three guest races in Europe ahead
of me - starting with the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
next week - and try to prepare myself for the next
rounds of the Formula BMW Pacific series in
Singapore, supporting the first F1 night race on
September 27 and 28."
Marlon
Marlon’s Travel log continues...now I am off to the Sentul Circuit near Jakarta, Indonesia, for the next Formula BMW Pacific race as part of the Asian Festival of Speed and after that I travel back to Europe and start my 3 race guest stint in the BMW Europe series in Budapest, Valencia and Spa."
"Between all my activities in Europe I had a few days in Zurich, Switzerland. I was invited to an event of the Gody Naef Fan Club. Racing is supposedly for young people. But check this out:
Gody is Europe's most senior race driver! He is 88 years young and invited me for a ride in his Vintage Amil car. My God he throws that car around...! I had to hold on cause I feared to fall out and - beginners mistake - bruised my elbow on the old timers tires. They are right next to you when you sit in it. Look at the pictures. Gody still races hill climbs in all sorts of cars and I remember watching him a few years ago together with my dad racing up the Alps in a red Chevy Corvette convertible.
Watch your elbows! Specially in vintage automobiles
like
Gody Naef's Amilcar
for more Photos of Marlon and Gody Naef and the
cool vintage car
click on the image above or this
link.
Now I am on his website
in the 'Friends of Gody' section right next to
Peter Sauber. Well if that's not
being famous...!
Check out his website @ Go to www.godynaef.ch he is
Europe's oldest race driver.
Many thanks also to Hansueli 'Joeggi' Rihs, founder
and co-owner of Swiss high tech company
Phonak Hearing Systems, also a
friend of Gody and the organizer of his fan club.
I had difficulties from the beginning of this year
with the ear plugs of my in-helmet team radio. It is
crucial for the communication between driver and team
during races, like: team to driver: 'careful there is
a carabao (water buffalo) crossing the track at turn
five, reduce speed!'...joking...I have actually
experience goats, dogs and lizzards...specially on
the infamous Batangas Racing Circuit
near Manila!
My new friend: 88 years young Swiss racing
legend
Gody Naef
for more Photos of Marlon and
Gody Naef and the cool
vintage car
click on the image above or this link.
Mr. Rihs was kind enough
to organize the tailor making of special ear plugs
for me that reduce sound clutter but still let you
hear vital engine sound. That's very important for a
racer! The plugs now also fit snugly into my ears
inside the helmet and don't hurt anymore. The team at
Phonak did a perfect job producing and fitting the
plugs in the short time I stayed in Zurich.
Thanks again to them and special thanks to
Joeggi Rihs!
Now I am off to the Sentul Circuit near Jakarta,
Indonesia, for the next Formula BMW
Pacific race as part of the Asian Festival
of Speed and after that I will travel back to Europe
and start my 3 race guest stint in the BMW
Europe series in Budapest, Valencia and
Spa."
Marlon
Wow...Marlon's Travel Log continous..."After the visit to the F1 test in Spain my Dad, Chris and I travelled by car to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Spa is the World's most exciting race track.
"After the visit to the F1 test in Spain my Dad, Chris and I travelled by car to Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Spa is the World's most exciting race track. Every racer loves it and it is a privilege to be able to drive there. I am not absolutely sure, but I might be the first Filipino race driver ever to race on this famous European track!
Wow, this is the best roller coaster I've been on...
for more on ”Marlon’s latest
Photos”click the image.
It is a great 'nature
track' located in the middle of a big forest with
trees all around. These have been safely removed from
the corners of the track in recent history and run
offs were constructed. In former times the track was
quite dangerous. It goes up and down with altitude
differences of more than 600 meters! When you come up
the famous 'Eau Rouge' curve, you shoot up into the
sky and soon after go steeply downhill and turn into
an extremely fast left hander. When you see these
curves during F1 races on TV you don't realize how
steep it actually is! You experience constantly
negative and lateral G-Forces that push you into the
seat and to the sides of the cockpit.
With Chris Wassermann and Italian mechanic Maurizio
in Spa,
for more on ”Marlon’s latest
Photos”click the image.
I did quite well during
the two half-day tests I was allowed to do and placed
constantly in the top five or ten. Not bad since the
best drivers are supposed to be in the BMW Europe
series. So I think I will be able to do well during
my guest races in summer, even so I was not allowed
to do more testing because the testing for guest
drivers in another BMW series is very limited."
Marlon
More BMW NEWS from Marlon, "After my visit to the BMW F1 factory in Switzerland...plus cool images from Spain including Robert Kubica...
http://www.marlonstockinger.com/page2/page1.html
http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
"After my visit to the BMW F1 factory in Switzerland, all of us flew down to Barcelona in sunny Spain to observe one full F1 test day. We were issued head phones, so we could listen in to the team radio and follow the conversation between Robert Kubica and his race engineer during testing.
At the Circuit de Catalunya... click on the images
and go direct to Marlon’s latest Photos on this
Blog
It's actually ten of us
from around the world who were chosen as BMW
Juniors and we got to know each other a
little better during the day. In the evening Simon,
Mike - a family friend of his - my dad and me went to
a fantastic Spanish restaurant in town where also
Nelson Piquet Jr. was having dinner.
The day was actually pretty relaxed. We had lunch in
the F1 team's tent and were interviewed together with
Robert Kubica at the end of the day.
Robert Kubica in the pit garage...click on the images
and go direct to Marlon’s latest Photos on this
Blog.
My dad and I flew then
back to Zurich from where we were planning to go to
Spa, the famous race circuit in Belgium, where I was
going to test for my guest race there in
September..."
Marlon
Being one of the chosen BMW Juniors, I was recently invited to visit the BMW Formula One factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.
@ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/blog.html
or go to Marlon’s website:@ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
The chosen ones. BMW Juniors at the BMW F1 Factory
in Hinwil, Switzerland
"Being one of the
chosen BMW Juniors, I was
recently invited to visit the BMW Formula One
factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.
We were given an extensive seminar on racing
technique, aerodynamics and car set up by
Mike Strottmann a former BMW touring
car racer himself and other experts from the factory.
Extremely interesting was also the tour of the
factory including the museum and the high tech wind
tunnel, which is so important for the development of
F1 aerodynamics.
F1 Engine secrets revealed by the expert
A Formula
One car is actually not a car as most people
perceive it: It is actually an airplane flown upside
down. If you race through a tunnel you could actually
drive along the ceiling and it would stick! The only
problem is how to get it there without crashing at
300 km/h. The engineer who gave us the lesson on
aerodynamics had been crazy enough to volunteer but
management refused because of safety concerns.
Set up and driving technique lesson by BMW Touring
car driver Mike Strottmann
The wind tunnel is
managed by the second most powerful computer in the
world: Albert. It is really huge, something like 20 x
2 x2 meters, like computers used to be 50 years ago,
but as powerful as they are today! Only
NASA has a bigger one. It works 24/7
and calculates billions of ways every day how air
could flow over the car in a way that it gives the
right mix between downforce and drag or wind
resistance. That's why the cars have little wings all
over and look so alien. But next year there will be
more restrictions and cars will look more similar
again to give the teams a more level playing field
and increase competition on the track instead of in
the factory, which is better for spectators, since
only few people have the opportunity to go inside an
F1 factory. Even we were not allowed
to go inside the actual tunnel. Top secret!"
Marlon
Marlon Stockinger and Simon Moss checking out
Nick Heidtfeldt's Steering Wheel at the BMW F1
Factory in Hinwil, Switzerland
Marlon Stockinger is in Barcelona Spain...plus some Formula BMW facts and information...
© Gunther Deichmann -
Sunset in Barcelona Spain
Marlon
Stockinger is in Barcelona Spain right
now, we have more information and photos shortly...in
the meantime here are some facts about the FORMULA
BMW but you can also visit his website for all the
latest images and information @
http://www.marlonstockinger.com/
FORMULA BMW PACIFIC
Proven
Entry-Level Formula.
Exciting races, first-class promotion, talented
competitors: since its inception Formula BMW has
established itself as the world’s premier entry level
single-seater formula. There are numerous reasons for
the concept’s success:
Equal
Opportunity: Stable and internationally
accepted sporting and technical regulations are a
cornerstone of
Formula BMW.
International Reach: Series in America, Europe
and in the Pacific Rim ensure Formula BMW retains its
status as the universal starter formula.
Maximum Value: Multiple races per event and
a test ban outside the official test days during the
season guarantee quantifiable budgets and maximum
race experience.
Education and Coaching: A dedicated programme
prepares drivers fore their future careers through a
wide range of on- and off- the track subjects.
Formula BMW Juniors: The Rookie Cup winner from
the previous season plus three further recipients
stand to participate in this exclusive scholarship.
Prominent Role Models: During 2007 no less than six
former Formula BMW drivers – Sebastian Vettel, Timo
Glock, Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, Ralf Schumacher
und Christian Klien – actively participated in
Formula One.
©
Tom Stockinger - Marlon been interviewed after his
successful race
recently in Sepang Malaysia, for more info, press
release & photos
click on the image above.
Superb Support.
Driver talent remains the biggest single contributor
to success. Accordingly, the promotion of young
talent has long been a BMW tradition. The
BMW Education and Coaching Program is
designed to smooth the transition from karting to
single-seater racing.
Support:
The four most
promising talents each stand to receive a
Formula BMW Junior support package worth Euro
50 000.
Exemplary
Coaching: Professional race drivers
provide personalized coaching on ideal lines and
optimal set-ups.
Fit for All: Before during and after the
season all drivers receive fitness schedules and
sport nutrition programs.
Media
Professionals: Seminars on sponsors and
Media Relations seminars keep Formula BMW drivers up
to speed with the latest techniques.
One
for All.
All
Formula BMW drivers are equipped with
the
Formula BMW FB02 incorporating numerous
safety features. This 10 bhp race car, where
advantage can only be gained by selection of the
correct aerodynamic and suspension settings, is
standard across the board.
First
Class Safety: The carbon-fiber monocoque
chassis, wheel retention tethers, special head
restraint and HANS system all draw on F1 technology
Powerful
Heart: With its low centre of
gravity and high-revving nature, the reliable and
cost-effective 1.2 liter engine provides the optimal
power unit.
Ultra-sensitive:
Defined
parameters guarantee a level playing field whilst
rewarding fine tuning and perfect set-up.
Cost-effective:
The basic price
of the vehicle is subsidized by
BMW Motorsport in order to further support
the series’ entry level concept.
Moving
up to the next level.
The regions most competitive entry-level-series
acknowledges the international diversity of teams and
drivers in and beyond Asia, by renaming the series
to
Formula BMW Pacific. Entry is open to drivers
aged 15 and up. The best newcomer will be crowned
Rookie Cup Champion, and qualify for Formula BMW
Junior status in the next season.
Effective
testing: A test ban outside the
official test days ensures equality of competition.
Considerable cost savings can be achieved by
incorporating official test days into race weekends.
Centralized
logistics: The entire equipments is
consolidated and shipped into 40” high cube
containers, to assure international sporting and
economical equality.
Premium
Hospitality: The Formula BMW hospitality
is in line with the first-class Formula One
environment. The Formula BMW Pacific guests will be
given a privileged look behind the scenes of Formula
BMW and Formula One.
Increased
level of international competition:
2008 is Formula
BMW’s sixth year in Asian-Pacific region since its
establishment in 2003. A grid of 20 drivers and an
increasing number of teams from Asia-Pacific and
Europe are expected to lined up for the 2008
Championship.
Race Calendar 2008.
Prestigious Asian race events and high profile
Formula 1 events,
such as the inaugural F1 Grand Prix in
Singapore, and the unique
F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Mount
Fuji,
form the Formula BMW Pacific race calendar.
Formula
One in Focus.
All drivers competing in Formula BMW have set
themselves the highest possible target: Formula One .
Through the relationship between Formula BMW and the
world’s top motorsport category, teams and drivers
alike stand to profit by competing in the most
successful of all entry-level series.
Top
Class:
Formula BMW Pacific will start on the supporting
bills of several rounds of the FIA Formula One World
Championship.
Worldwide
Focus: Drivers will perform in
front of the world’s largest motorsport audiences,
the most influential professionals and hundreds of
international media representatives.
Excursion
to F1: In
depth discussion with experts from BMW Sauber F1
Team, F1 paddock visits and a visit to the
BMW Sauber AG factory in Switzerland
are just a few
of the activities on the curriculum.
Attractive:
Television
marketing via Formula One Management promises teams
and drivers a multi-faceted TV distribution platform.
Marlon Stockinger & FORMULA BMW our Blog is now up and running...please stay tuned or subscribe from now on for all the latest NEWS & racing events.
Stockinger Top Formula BMW Rookie Finisher in Action Packed Races, you can also find him now on You Tube... the TV coverage from last week, clips from his early days in Karting...
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marlon+stockinger&search_type=
Marlon
Stockinger, sponsored by BMW and Swiss Private Bank
Sarasin, put in a stellar performance last weekend at
the Sepang International Grand Prix Circuit
in Malaysia, where Asia Pacific’s Finest
young racers gathered for a four-day race meeting.
After struggling in the opening rounds of this year’s
Formula BMW Pacific Championship
during the recent F1 Grand Prix in
Sepang, he is gaining confidence with each
outing. “I made some smart overtaking moves and quick
lap times. The team (Eurasia Motorsport) did an
excellent job, the car felt great and it was really
enjoyable. I think I am making progress. It helps
build my morale and I can look towards the front of
the field with confidence”, says Stockinger.
Photo © Composite -
Gunther Deichmann
Some of the most intense
action the series has seen so far this season
unfolded in round 5 of the meeting where Stockinger
was involved in a five-car fight behind the leading
trio of Nara (Japan), Jamison (Hong Kong) and
McDonagh (USA). When BMW Europe guest driver Manzur
(UK) made a successful move on Stockinger, the battle
of the race commenced with Manzur, Moh (Malaysia) and
Wootton (Australia) locked in a furious chase. That
allowed Stockinger and Chaves (Columbia) to close in
on the trio and enter the fray. Moh was a casualty
and ended up in the gravel after coming together with
Manzur. Wootton was also caught up in the fray and
eventually finished down the field in 10th.
Stockinger was the winner of the five-car fight,
crossing the line in 4th, ahead of Manzur and Chaves.
In the last race of the weekend pole sitter McDonagh
got away badly and team mate Nara grabbed the lead.
Initially McDonagh stayed with Nara at the front, but
Stockinger got by to go to 2nd from starting in 4th
position by the end of the opening lap. Malaysia’s
Arvin Roslan was running well in 4th, but had a big
off on the second lap which brought out the safety
car on the following lap. That bunched up the field,
with Nara leading the pack followed by Stockinger.
Photo © Tom
Stockinger
Nara was away well when
the safety car pulled off with Stockinger skillfully
slipping into his tow and pulling away from the rest
of the field. However, the unshakable Nara took the
flag to record a superb second victory, joined on the
podium by the triumphant BMW Juniors
Stockinger in 2nd and Wootton in 3rd place.
Due to the great results for this weekend Stockinger
advanced from 5th to 2nd place behind Simon Moss of
South Africa in the rookie classification and from
12th to 5th place in the overall drivers
classification for the 2008
championship.
“Do we see a win soon?”, asked commentator Jonathan
Green the young gun in the post race interview.
Answer: “Yes, we’re gonna go for it!” The statement
was supported by the happy smiles of the all Filipino
crew of mechanics and team principal Mark Goddard of
Eurasia Motorsport.
Photo © Gunther
Deichmann
The final race rounded
out a superb weekend of competition, which saw a
field made up of drivers from no fewer than six
continents. The 2008 Formula BMW Pacific season
continues in July, when the region’s finest young
single seater racers will travel to Indonesia’s
Sentul Circuit outside Jakarta. After that,
Stockinger will join the European Formula
BMW support races of the Formula One rounds
in Hungary (Hungaro Ring), Spain (Valencia) and
Belgium (Spa) as a guest racer, before competing in
Formula BMW Pacific again during the historic first
Singapore F1 night race in September.