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Formula BMW: Rossi gets two week-end pole

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Khatir Soltani
In this morning's 25-minute qualifying session overall point leader Alexander Rossi scored the pole position for both Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship.

He backed up his fastest lap of 1:18.427 minutes around the 2.17-mile, 10-turn Thunderbolt Raceway with a second quick time of 1:18.456 to record his seventh and eighth poles of the season.

Rossi's double-pole adds two more points to his lead, meaning the 17-year old needs to net only nine more points than Ricardo Favoretto in this weekend's races to clinch the Championship.

Favoretto, 32 points in arrears of Rossi in overall point standings, qualified fifth for Round 13 and sixth for Round 14.

The chase for the Rookie title is currently a three-way battle between Gianmarco Raimondo, Mikaël Grenier and Alexandre Ruiz.

Quebecker Mikaël Grenier qualified fourth for both Rounds, Raimondo will sixth and fifth respectivaly and Ruiz eight in both races.

Giancarlo Vilarinho and Canadian DavidOstella qualified second and third for both Rounds to leadthe Rookie qualifiers.

The Round 13 race is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. On Sunday, Round 14 is scheduled to start at 9:15 a.m.

Qualifying - Round 13

1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 2:18.427
2 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 2:18.552
3 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 2:19.211
4 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:19.639
5 Ricardo Favoretto Autotecnica 2:19.713
6 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 2:19.779
7 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:20.170
8 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:20.313
9 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 2:22.595

Qualifying - Round 14

1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 2:18.456
2 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 2:18.715
3 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 2:19.333
4 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:19.775
5 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 2:19.853
6 Ricardo Favoretto Autotecnica 2:19.939
7 Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:20.345
8 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 2:20.381
9 Alfonso Toledano Eurointernational 2:22.774

J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
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