Five West Coast Drivers Progress to the Red Bull Driver Search Semi Final

Sonoma, CA (11 August 2005) - This week Infineon Raceway's Karting Center hosted the 2005 Red Bull Driver Search West Coast Run Off with ninety-two racers competing. Five talented drivers progressed to the next stage of the Program, including standout female driver Michelle Bumgarner.

The winners are:
Matt Hauff, Rohnert Park, CA (16)
Ryan Phinny, Carmel Valley, CA (16)
Paul Zimmerly, Ridgefield, WA (17)
Michelle Bumgarner, Makati City, Philippines (15)
Alexander Rossi, Nevada City, CA (13)

The competitors traveled from all over the western United States for the three-day event. They participated in CRG karts with Jr. Rotax engines that were equally prepared by SSC Racing. Seventeen drivers advanced to the final day, competing in Rotax RM-1 Superkarts. A series of heat races determined the grid for the Final race with Bumgarner, the only female racer in the top seventeen, taking pole position. She held on to first place for 14 laps but was pushed back to fourth after contact with winner Matt Hauff during lap 15.

The five winners have earned a place in the Semi Final at Sebring International Raceway where they will test using Skip Barber Formula Dodge racecars. An additional five karters have already progressed to Sebring from the East Coast Run Off last month. Up to ten scouted drivers from Junior US Racing Formulae will join the karters. This elite group is ultimately vying for a Red Bull racing scholarship and a seat in a junior European racing series for 2006.

The Red Bull Driver Search aims to discover and support talented young racing drivers. The long-term goal is to have a steady group of three to six American drivers racing on the Red Bull Junior Team in Europe, groomed to break into Formula 1 and compete for the World Championship.

Please contact:
Maxim Sports Management, Inc.
Maria Jannace
18 West 21 Street, 6 Floor
New York, NY 10010
Tel. 212.337.0003
Fax: 212.337.1206
Website: www.redbulldriversearch.com
Junior Team Website: www.redbull-juniorteam.com