Laguna’s Lewis to race full-time in Europe

Michael Lewis, the 2009 Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup winner, will join the U.S. Formula Project Formula BMW Europe team and will compete in all of the 2010 Formula BMW Europe events.

The announcement was made by U.S. Formula Project Team Manager Alessandro Ferrari.

Lewis, a Laguna Beach resident, will be the only American competing in the Formula BMW Europe series in 2010. Although he is joining a new team to this series, Ferrari brings an extensive motorsports background, being the former race director of the historic WSK (World Series Karting) Series in Europe.

“I saw Michael in WSK Karting races as race director in 2008, and now I am very happy to be his team manager,” Ferrari said in a release. “We have just completed a grueling four-day test session in Valencia, Spain, with Michael and our other U.S. Formula Project drivers. Michael has shown continuing progress in his lap times and consistency. We are very pleased to have Michael be a part of our team, and the fact that he has BMW Junior status because he earned the Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup is an added plus for Michael and our team. This will be the second season for Michael in Formula BMW, and with his natural talent combined with his very professional and dedicated approach, will give him the opportunity to compete with the strong contingent of rookie and returning drivers.”

Lewis competed in the 2009 Formula BMW Americas series with the Eurointernational Inc. team and immediately adapted to the rigors of a competitive junior road racing series. The 2009 Formula BMW Americas series featured a strong rookie class of drivers, all of whom pursued the coveted Rookie Cup Championship. After the 14-race season concluded, Lewis was crowed 2009 Formula BMW Americas Rookie Cup Champion, earning an $80,000 scholarship to be applied toward the 2010 Formula BMW Europe Championship.

He also received BMW Formula BMW Junior status, meaning Lewis automatically participates in the BMW Motorsport Education and Coaching Program, which is designed to allow the drivers to hone their on-track skills.

“I am very pleased to be a part of the U.S. Formula Project race team and to be able to participate next season in the competitive Formula BMW Europe series,” Lewis said in the release.

“I am also looking forward to working with Alessandro Ferrari, the team engineers, and my mechanic, who have already been a big help to me at the winter test sessions.”

Lewis supplemented his 2009 Formula BMW Americas racing program with a number of USAC Ford Focus events driving for the California-based Madera Western Speed Ford Focus team.

He won three Ford Focus feature events, earned four fast time awards, won numerous heat races and finished fourth in the final USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Series championship standings.

“I really enjoyed racing this past season, having the opportunity to race both on road courses and ovals with two highly respected teams,” Lewis said.

All of the 2010 Formula BMW Europe events will run in conjunction with Formula 1 events, except for the Zandvoort, Netherlands, race, which will be held in conjunction with the Masters of Formula 3.

This will give Lewis the opportunity to race at the world’s finest racing venues and to be able to showcase his talents in front of thousands of spectators throughout Europe.

The Formula BMW Europe series receives excellent television and media coverage.

Lewis is a full-time college student at Cal State Fullerton, majoring in business/marketing, and will continue his college education while living in Europe with a special online program.

The first Formula BMW Europe event will be May 7 through 9, at Barcelona, Spain, in conjunction with the Spanish F1 Grand Prix.

“” From staff reports