Suriya Bala continues with Asia Racing Team
Asia Racing Team (ART) today announced that Singaporean youngster Suriya Bala Kerisnan Thevar will be representing the team in the 2010 season of Formula BMW Pacific Series, having already driven for the team in Formula Renault last year.
Last year was Suriya’s first in racing single seater racers after two seasons of go-karting. Besides representing ART in Formula Renault Shanghai, the youngster also drove in the Singapore and Macau GP, achieving a Top Ten finish in the latter.
Speaking about the season ahead, Suriya said, “I had limited days of testing due to budget constraints. I will just wait for the first race in Sepang to see where I’m going to stand among the other drivers. I’m really looking forward to the season and my home race in Singapore. Pre-season testing was great. I felt a lot of difference in my driving, from the first day till now. I’m half way there and I am going to work hard physically before the Introductory Test.”
Team Manager Philippe Descombes, added “We are very pleased to have Suriya back in the seat with Asia Racing Team. Suriya showed last season he can be very competitive and has grown and matured on and off the race track over the last year due in part to the support of his family and the many positive influences in his life. Our six days of testing went very well, and we had a lot of track time. I am quite happy with Suriya’s development. We want to provide him with every opportunity we can to develop as a driver.”
Now in its eight season in Asia, the 2010 season of the Formula BMW Pacific series will kick off as a support race for the upcoming Malaysian F1 GP in April, before doing the same in Singapore, and possibly Korea, hosting the first Korean GP. Further appearances in Malaysia and Korea are also being mooted as part of the Asian Festival of Speed meetings. The season-closer is planned to be held at Macau in November.
