16-YEAR-OLD Filipino-Swiss karter Marlon Stockinger won a much-coveted Formula BMW Pacific scholarship following exhaustive trials held at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit from December 13 to 16. The scholarship will give Stockinger a change to compete in the 2008 Formula BMW Asia Series and receive expert coaching and tuition from BMW Motorsport professionals during the season. Stockinger, who is the first and only Filipino to make it to the top ten of the world karting championship when he placed eighth in this year's Rotax Max World Finals, was one of 25 candidates from 12 nations who took part in the trials. His performance, which was closely evaluated by BMW Motorsport instructors Chris Wassermann of Austria, Enzo Mucci of the United Kingdom and 2007 FIA GT2 Champion and 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship runner-up Dirk Müller of Germany, has been offered 50,000 Euro (approximately $70,000) of financial assistance towards the cost of a season in the region's premier entry-level single seater series, as well as a full year in the world-famous Formula BMW Pacific Education and Coaching program. Formula BMW, which was started in 2002 by BMW Motorsport to allow up-and-coming drivers as young as 15 the chance of entering motor racing and discover future talent for its Formula One team, is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. The one-make series makes use of identical FB02 chassis and 140-hp engine that is capable of reaching speeds of up to 230 kph. In 2008 the series will be held across Europe, Asia Pacific and the USA. |