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2005 August
FORMULA BMW UK Championship
Richard accepted for final sixteen in Scholarship Shoot-out
27-28 October 2005
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Valencia. Spain. – August 19, 2005 – Richard Bond, age 16 was invited back by BMW for the second year to attend the two day Formula BMW License course in Valencia Spain (Circuit de la Comunitat, Valenciana Ricardo Tormo), run by BMW Motorsport.
Richard was one of thirty-two candidates selected for the initial license course that tested the driving skills, race theory, fitness and overall ability in a move from Karts to race cars for the 2006 season. Richard’s high ability in Karts at a national level, success level to date and mature attitude soon came through into the race cars over the two days and he has now been officially accepted by BMW Motorsport for the final sixteen that will return to Valencia in October 2005 for the Scholarship shoot-out. The final five from that sixteen will receive a sponsorship worth £35,000 towards the first season in the Formula BMW UK Championship.
“As one of the two youngest drivers last year, we came very close and was awarded a reserve scholarship in case any of the first five did not sign the final contract for the 2005 season” said Martin his dad. “However, they all signed so we never got the opportunity last year for the 2005 season, but this year we stand a better chance to receive one, if all goes well on the day.”
“Its not just the money, although that helps, equally important is that Richard is involved with one of the best and most organised race teams world-wide and that is so important in these early stages of developing a professional career as a racing driver or within Motorsport generally. It’s priceless.”
“We are looking forward to the challenge ahead…”
Anyone interested in Sponsorship with Richard for the 2006 season or just wants a portfolio to look at further, please contact Martin Bond for any further details.
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2005 March
ABkC Super 1 EXTREME WIN AT ROUND 1
Richard wins at Buckmore in Formula TKM Extreme at first Super 1 round for British Championship
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Buckmore – March 13, 2005. Richard Bond www.richardbond.co.uk age 15 from Buckden, CAMBS takes the win at Round 1 of the ABkC Super 1 British Championship, in his very first Formula TKM Extreme Super 1 race of the 2005 season.
At Round 1 there was a full turn out of 46 drivers competing for this years TKM Super 1 championship, including many seeded drivers from the previous 2004 season, top seeds such as Micky Higham (5), Adam Rogers (10), Adam Constable (3), Paul Janes (6), Shaun Carter (9), Ryan Cole (0) and Scott Malvern (13), it was a very competitive line up.
During the Friday and Saturday practise, we were consistently one of the top 5 quickest drivers and conditions remained dry throughout practise and into race day.
In the heats Richard produced a heat win from pole, 2nd from grid twelve and 10th from grid twenty-four, to secure P3 on the final grid, just 4 points behind the pole sitter Micky Higham.
Micky led the race from the start, with Richard securing a second place from lap one and started to close lap after lap, while the rest of the field started to get further behind due to their own battle for position, so it was a race to the finish between Micky and Richard. By Lap 8, Richard made a move into the second hairpin and took first place and while Micky stayed with him for a couple of laps, Richard started to edge away throughout the remaining laps to take the chequered flag.
It was the perfect race for Richard not making any mistakes from start to finish, Richard commented “We were always in a good position due to the pace produced during practise, thanks to Litchfield Motorsport for excellent set-up and all their support, it could not be achieved without them.” He added “It was a great achievement and win for me in my first Super 1 TKM Extreme race, it was also a good clean race from start to finish, I enjoyed every second of it.”
At the end of Round 1, Richard is two points behind the current championship leader Micky Higham, last years number 5 seed. On next to Fulbeck and Round 2 of the championship in April.
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2005 January
EXTREME WIN AT FIRST 2005 RACE
Richard wins at Kimbolton in Formula TKM Extreme against previous seasons seeded drivers, in a full line-up
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Kimbolton – January 9, 2005. Richard Bond www.richardbond.co.uk age 15 from Buckden, CAMBS takes the win at his very first Formula TKM Extreme race of his career and the 2005 season.
After finishing third overall in Formula TKM Intermediates in the 2004 ABkC Super 1 National Championship, the next move for 2005 was cars (Formula BMW UK Championship with the reserve scholarship) or to continue with karts (Formula TKM Extreme) for another year.
After spending the previous day testing at Buckmore Park in preparation for the first round of Super 1 in 2005, we arrived at Kimbolton on the Sunday for Richard’s first race of the 2005 season. The Formula TKM Extreme grid was just short of thirty drivers including several ABkC National Super 1 seeded drivers from the 2004 season. Seeded drivers such as Micky Higham (5), Ryan Cole (0), Shaun Carter (9), Steven Bartlett (2-Intermediates), Oliver Blake (7-Intermediates), William Reed (5-Intermediates) and Charles Bonsey (8-Juniors).
In the heats Richard produced two out of three fastest laps and a single heat win, to provide a P2 grid for the final against pole sitter Micky Higham, last years number 5 seed in TKM Extreme. As the grid lined up for the start, spots of rain started to appear so tyre choice and set-up required a fast decision and some adaptive driving skills. Richard came out of the first bend in third, and by lap five had worked his way back to the front while putting in the fastest lap time on lap six, to then walk away with the lead to the final chequered flag. Reference www.hkrc.co.uk or www.karting.co.uk for final results table.
With the previous four races of 2004 producing wins for Richard (Including a ABkC Super 1 round at Whilton Mill) this made it five consecutive wins in a row and a first in Formula TKM Extreme. Richard commented “I was quick from the first heat and maintained the fast pace throughout the day and heats, to give me a front row in the final. When the weather changed it can be a lottery for tyre and set-up choice but my biggest thanks goes to Dave Litchfield and his team from Litchfield Motorsport for providing the right decision with seconds to go before the final green flag. They did an excellent job all day with engine and set-up choice to give me the chance and then made the difference at the end with the split second decision, all I had to do was drive home to the chequered!. A fantastic day by all.!”
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2004 October
Formula BMW UK Championship (2005), Richard awarded possible £35,000 reserve scholarship by BMW Motorsport in Valencia shoot-out.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
Valencia Spain - September 28-29, 2004. Richard Bond (www.richardbond.co.uk) age 15 from Buckden, Cambs and the youngest driver to attend the two-day Formula BMW scholarship qualifying in Valencia Spain. (Circuit de la Comunitat, Valenciana Ricardo Tormo)
He has graduated from British national karting and was originally one of 32 candidates selected by BMW Motorsport back in August this year, which tested driving skills, race theory, fitness and overall ability in 'Formula 1 look-alike' race-cars. Out of the final 16 that attended the scholarship qualifying 5 of the top 7 drivers will be awarded a possible scholarship (Subject to contract) worth £35,000 for the 2005 Formula BMW UK Championship run by BMW Motorsport and Richard won a reserve place.
Martin Bond his Commercial Director commented "Richard has always had an ability from a very early age to drive consistently quick, as well as being mature enough to deal with competitive pressures and while keeping a cool head. He drove brilliantly and certainly impressed us all, this is a great opportunity for him." He added, "I already have one advertising sponsor signed for 2005 and have already started offering hospitality and advertising packages to local and national businesses, with some possible private investors coming from the US. It is a great achievement but we have just 3 months to secure the remaining budget, so time is short."
Richard will be finalizing his contract with BMW Motorsport and making final race team selections over the coming weeks.
We would welcome any company interested and can offer some exceptional hospitality events, VIP race days and advertising packages in return, all of which are on offer in conjunction with BMW Motorsport, please contact Mr.Martin Bond for further details, 0777-575-8815 / 01480-810545.
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2004 August
FORMULA BMW (UK Championship)
Richard accepted for final sixteen in Scholarship Shoot-out
28-29 September 2004
Valencia. Spain. – August 15, 2004 – Richard Bond, age 15 and one of the three youngest drivers, attended the two day Formula BMW License course in Valencia Spain (Circuit de la Comunitat, Valenciana Ricardo Tormo), run by BMW Motorsport. Richard was one of thirty-two candidates selected for the initial license course that tested the driving skills, race theory, fitness and overall ability in a move from Karts to race cars for 2005. Richard’s high ability in Karts and mature attitude soon came through into the race cars over the two days and he has now been accepted by BMW Motorsport for the final sixteen, that will return to Valencia for the Scholarship Qualifying. The final five from that sixteen will receive a sponsorship worth £35,000 towards the first season in Formula BMW UK Championship.
We have some interested sponsors who have already come forward, that are keen to follow Richard in his first season, but for anyone interested in Sponsorship for the 2005 season, please contact Mr. Martin Bond, 0777-575-8815 / 01480-810545.
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