Formula BMW Germany - Rounds 13 & 14 - Nürburgring - Preview

Preview: Races 13 + 14, 18-20 August 2006, Nürburgring.

Data analysis - just like the professionals.

Nürburg. When the drivers of Formula BMW Germany are out in action for races 13
and 14 of the championship, they will be relying not only on their driving
skills but on a little black box as well. The data logging device in the
right-hand sidepod of the Formula BMW uses sensors to store a host of
parameters on the car's performance and the driver's handling. "As a driver,
evaluating this data helps me to continuously improve my driving style," notes
championship leader Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Josef Kaufmann Racing).

17-year-old Vietoris will be lining up on the grid in the Eifel as a true local
hero. He was born in nearby Gerolstein and lives in Gönnersdorf, a ten-minute
drive from the circuit. This year sees him in his second season of racing in
Formula BMW. "Since it became clear to me just how important working with the
data is, things have been running really well for me," reports Vietoris, who
has already won six out of twelve races. Values such as brake pressure, spring
travel and the position of the accelerator pedal are sent down a cable to a
computer after each outing on the track. The analysis is presented as a graphic
display.

As with the Formula One professionals, the matter of data analysis is shrouded
in secrecy. With standard cars being used in Formula BMW, individual driving
tips from the data engineer in each team take on even greater importance. The
time differences on the track are partly down to the varying driving styles of
the aspiring young racing drivers.

After free practice and qualifying, the leader of the rookie rankings similarly
pores over his data. Jens Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland Racing), a novice to
Formula BMW Germany, has benefited from the wealth of experience his team
manager Albert Hamper brings along. "I'm learning a lot from him and his data
analyses are totally helpful," says 16-year-old Klingmann.
The memory unit that logs the data not only serves to further improve driving
style, it also helps optimise the car's set-up. "The Nürburgring has high-speed
straights as well as a tight infield section. The key here is to find a
balanced wing setting," the rookie points out. Ultimately it isn't just a
matter of preparation but also of implementing what you have learnt. Klingmann:
"My goal is definitely a podium place."

Championship standings after 12 out of 18 races (top 14): 1. Vietoris
(Lissendorf/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 190), 2. Mäki (FIN/Eifelland Racing, 130),
3. Coletti (MCO/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 97), 4. Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland
Racing, 92), 5. Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH, 90), 6. Perez
Mendoza (MEX/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 76), 7. de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann
Racing, 75), 8. Wasem (Seiboldsdorf/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH, 46), 9. Eng
(AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 45), 10. Wissel (Hörstein/GU-
Racing Motorsportteam, 31), 11. Ragginger (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 24),
12. Král (CZE/Micánek Motorsport - Brno, 21), 13. Hegewald (Waldbreitbach/ADAC
Mittelrhein, 20), 14. Schwägli (CHE/Team Kath Racing, 9).

Rookie standings: 1. Klingmann (187), 2. Eng (176), 3. Wissel (124), 4. Leimer
(98), 5. Zacherl (95), 6. Kronenberger (92), 7. Harnagea (53), 8. Paegle (52),
9. Saavedra (12).

Team standings (based on the two best finishers in each team): 1. Josef
Kaufmann Racing (268), 2. Eifelland Racing (222), 3. ASL-Mücke Motorsport
(209), 3. 4. AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH (130), 5. GU-Racing Motorsportteam (40),
6. Micanek Motorsport (21), 7. Devis Schwägli (9), 8. Team Rosberg (3), 9.
Matson Motorsport (1).

Stats after 12 out of 18 races

Wins 2006:
6, Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Josef Kaufmann Racing),
3, Marco Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH),
2, Mika Mäki (FIN/Eifelland Racing)
1, Stefano Coletti (MCO/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg).

Pole positions:
6, Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Josef Kaufmann Racing),
3, Mika Mäki (FIN/Eifelland Racing),
1, Marco Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH),
1, Jens Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland Racing),
1, Dominik Wasem (Seiboldsdorf/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH).

Podium places:
11, Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/Josef Kaufmann Racing),
4, Marco Holzer (Bobingen/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH),
6, Mika Mäki (FIN/Eifelland Racing),
4, Jens Klingmann (Leimen/Eifelland Racing),
4, Stefano Coletti (MCO/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg),
3, Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing),
1, Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg),
1, Philipp Eng (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg),
1, Dominik Wasem (Seiboldsdorf/AM-Holzer Rennsport GmbH),
1, Maximilian Wissel (Hörstein/GU-Racing Motorsportteam).