JK Racing Asia Series announces 2011 driver lineup
The JK Racing Asia Series (formerly known as Formula BMW Pacific) will commence its 2011 season with two rounds serving as support races for the Petronas Malaysia F1 Grand Prix this weekend (9-10 April 2011).
A media gathering was held at the Sepang International Circuit earlier today to unveil the driver and team lineup for the season. Surprise guest of the day was Karun Chandhok, Formula 1 Team Lotus Test Driver and JK Tyre & Industries Ambassador. Chandhok will be mentoring the participants for this season.
“For the past 16 years, Motorsport Asia has successfully run the leading junior Formula Series’ in Asia, providing the necessary step forward for young drivers to emerge from karting to the next level in racing. In 2003, a new junior formula was introduced with the support of BMW and the Asian Series was run successfully by Motorsport Asia” said David Sonenscher, CEO of Motorsport Asia.
“With the support of JK Tyre & Industries, that series has now become the JK Racing Asia Series, a platform for developing young talents and progress their journey on the world motorsport stage” he continued.
Featuring a line-up of drivers from all corners of the world, this year’s series will see the participation of teams such as Eurasia Motorsport, E-Rain Racing, EuroInternational, Meritus GP, Petronas Mofaz Racing and Atlantic Racing Team. As host country, Malaysia will supplying a number of local talents to grace the field, amongst them Akash Neil Nandy of Meritus GP, who is the youngest participant this season.
JK Racing Asia Series consists of 18 races on six weekends in the 2011 season. On three occasions the JK Racing Asia Series will support Formula One Grand Prix, in Malaysia, Singapore and the newly built circuit in India. Two weekends will be held during the Asian Festival of Speed (AFOS) in Malaysia and Indonesia, with one weekend held in Guangdong during the Hong Kong Autosport Challenge (HKAC).
A dedicated 1-hour TV programme from each event, will bring the JK Racing Asia Series into 700 million households in over 100 countries.
Picture: Official Motorsport Asia release.
