To complete the 2008 season, Formula BMW Americas will hold Rounds 16 and 17 as under card to the Brazilian Grand Prix on October 31 - November 2.
With the overall title won by Californian Alexander Rossi and a third consecutive team championship won by Eurointernational at the most recent Rounds at Thunderbolt Raceway, in Millville, NJ, the battle in Sao Paulo is for the Rookie championship. Increasing the importance of the weekend to the careers of the four drivers within reach of the title, the winner will be awarded a 2009 Junior scholarship that includes an $80,000 stipend. Formula BMW Junior Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica) has led the Rookie point standings since winning the opening two Rounds at Laguna Seca, but two other Junior team members have been making a run at him. Canadian Mikael Grenier and Brazilian Alexandre Ruiz, teammates on the Apex-HBR Racing Team, are five and six points behind Raimondo respectively. All three of the young men would like nothing better than to be offered the opportunity to return to Formula BMW Americas for a second year as a Formula BMW Junior. This is the first-ever visit to the famed Interlagos circuit by Formula BMW. Racing on the 4.309-kilometer, 15-turn circuit in front of the Formula One teams is sure to be a thrill and challenge the young Formula BMW drivers. Qualifying for Rounds 16 and 17 is set at 5:25 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. The driver's fastest time will set the grid for Round 16 and their second fastest time will line-up Round 17. The Round 16 race begins at 4:40 p.m. on Saturday and the Round 17 race is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. Sunday. Only 13 drivers made it to Brazil this weekend. In them, four are local drivers. Standings, General - Top-5: 1. Alexander Rossi 207 2. Ricardo Favoretto 139 3. Gianmarco Raimondo 116 4. Mikael Grenier 111 5. Alexandre Ruiz Rookie Championship - Top-3: 1. Gianmarco Raimondo 116 2. Mikael Grenier 111 3. Alexandre Ruiz 110 Photos: BMW
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