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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">ELSEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">09/08/2004</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Formula BMW USA Championship</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Hinchcliffe Is Victorious At Road America</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><img border="1" src="Storage/hinchcliffe-formula-bmw-mos.jpg"></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"><B>Hinchcliffe Is Victorious At Road America</B><BR> <BR> <B>17 year-old Canadian Rookie Claims First Victory in BMW Career</B><BR> <BR> 17-year old James Hinchcliffe (AIM Autosport / Franczak Enterprises No.56) came home from the Road America race circuit this weekend with his first career victory in the Formula BMW USA Championship. Competing in front of the Champ Car fans, Hinchcliffe led every lap as he dominated race two on Sunday afternoon <BR> <BR> After performing well in Friday morning’s test session, Hinchcliffe focused his attention on qualifying. Looking to start up front and avoid trouble the quick Canadian set down a blistering lap the set him on the provisional pole for round No.9. Several competitors took a shot at Hinchcliffe but as soon as another driver got close to his time, the 17-year-old went back on course and improved his time. As the chequered flew on the session, Hinchcliffe had secured his first pole and became the first Canadian driver ever to sit on pole in the FBMW USA Championship series history. Qualifying for round No.10 saw the multi-time karting champion secure another front row starting position but this time he would be on the outside as he entered turn one. <BR> <BR> As Hinchcliffe led the field to the green for the Saturday afternoon event, he got a good jump on the field and led the opening set of corners. Falling back to second on the opening lap didn’t fluster the Canadian as he was with the leader and all over his gearbox in every corner. A slight bobble allowed the third place driver to get a run on Hinchcliffe into Canada Corner where disaster struck. “I tried to go in a little deeper to maintain second,” explained Hinchcliffe. “Unfortunately, I got on the brakes too hard and the car slid straight off the track and into the gravel trap. I was stuck there and out of the race. My top five streak is now over but I will look to redeem myself tomorrow.”<BR> <BR> The Oakville, Ontario resident redeemed himself in a big way in the Sunday afternoon event. Hinchcliffe out gunned the pole sitter as the green flag flew and had the preferred line entering turn one and for the second day in a row, led the field through the first set of opening corners. Not looking to repeat his mistake from the previous day, Hinchcliffe focused on getting through the corners and onto the straight smoothly to open a gap. A caution midway through the race made his AIM Autosport crew nervous but Hinchcliffe was calm, cool and composed as he timed the restart perfectly and went on to take a much deserved victory. “I can’t believe it,” expressed James after the event. “I have been looking forward to this all season and finally secured a win. I have to thank everyone that has helped get me here. It has been a long time coming but we did it.”<BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>