Montoya praises Formula BMW USA Championship

Pablo Montoya, father of BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver Juan Pablo Montoya, is convinced that Formula BMW USA will help youngsters break into open-wheel racing.

2004 is the inaugural season of the Formula BMW USA Championship, a season when youngsters from the US and Canada will get their first taste of formula racing.

The Formula BMW ADAC Championship and the Formula BMW Asia Series prove just how successful the BMW programme can be, Asian champion, Ho-Pin Tung having already completed his first Formula One test, with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, in December.

Pablo Montoya not only supports his son, traveling around the world on the F1 circus. He is also a very active president of “Easykart America”, which backs young racing drivers. “Easykart” will also function as the official feeder series for the Formula BMW USA Championship.

"Had an Easykart America and Formula BMW USA program existed during the early stages of my son's career, it would have eliminated many of the hardships we went through, and would have facilitated the showcasing of his natural talent," said Montoya. “We are very excited about the Formula BMW USA program."

Montoya knows from experience. In 1992 he watched his son Juan Pablo start his first formula race. The Colombian youngster went on to win four of the eight “Copa Formula Renault” races, in addition to taking five pole positions. He has since enjoyed a successful racing career, which includes winning the 1998 International F3000 Championship, the 1999 CART Championship and culminating in his move to the BMW WilliamsF1 Team.

The switch from go-karts to open wheel racing in North America isn’t easy for youngsters, as NASCAR still has a huge influence as the number one racing series in America. The Formula BMW USA Championship aims to play its part in 2004 and help those drivers who wish to break into open wheel racing.