Want to know how the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship passed the mid-point of the season at Lime Rock Park on July 6 - 7? The answer is that the drivers enrolled in the Education and Coaching Program in the very busy month of June. Aside from their mid-season fitness evaluation, the drivers received special opportunities to interact with the BMW Sauber F1 Team experts, who probably also dealt with BMW 325es parts.
All four BMW Sauber F1 drivers at the Grand Prix of Canada fielded inquiries on their climb up the motorsport ladder while offering worthy advice.
There were more in the United States Grand Prix weekend. After the Round 5 race, the drivers were invited to tour the BMW Sauber F1 garage and had the one-of-a-kind opportunity to interact with Sebastian Vettel just before the 19-year old was to join his first Formula 1 Grand Prix following his substitution for Kubica. After the Round 6 race, Director Mario Theissen of BMW Motorsport participated in a question and answer portion.
Overall points-leader and Round 5 winner Daniel Morad commented it's an infrequent chance to interact with Dr. Theissen and the BMW Sauber F1 team. He added that knowing what the drivers went through to get to where they are now will help all of their careers.
After Rounds 5 and 6, the drivers participated in the Mid Season fitness evaluation at Pit Fit to assess the improvements from the baselines determined at the pre season fitness camp at the end of April.
Six enrolled drivers took advantage of an exclusive opportunity to attend further seminars in Vehicle Dynamics and Sponsorship with a tour to the BMW Sauber F1 Team factory in Hinwil, Switzerland. This took place in the two week break after the United States Grand Prix.
Mike Hill and Julia Landauer joined BMW Junior drivers Ricardo Favoretto, Tim Hollowell, Daniel Morad, and Eric Morrow for the trip to Munich and Hinwil. Upon arrival in Munich, they were sent to BMW Motorsport headquarters where they heard an introduction of the history of BMW motorsports. A tour was also held at the works preparation factory. After lunch, drivers were invited to tour the BMW's Mobile Tradition collection.
Education and Coaching drivers from Germany, UK and Asia - three other global championships - joined dinner in Hinwil. This gave the drivers the chance to overview the competition they'll face in a few months at the World Final.
The factory tour involved areas where cars are built, prepared and tested. Drivers had an opportunity to hold various components of the BMW Sauber F1 car and see models that exuded the development of items like steering wheels and carbon fiber roll hoops. This was experienced throughout the tour. They saw last was the BMW Sauber F1 Team full scale wind tunnel.
After the knowledge filled tour, the Education and Coaching Program enrolled drivers were all back home to prepare for Rounds 7 and 8 in Lime Rock Park.
