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.