Formula Asia, also known as Asian Formula 2000, was a class of open wheel formula racing

Formula racing

Formula racing is a term that refers to various forms of open wheeled single seater motorsport. Its origin lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulæ are Formula One, Formula Two, and...

. The formula used an Argo chassis coupled with a 16-valve Ford Zetec 1,800cc engine.

There was only one championship held in Asia from 1994 until 2002, organized and promoted by Motorsport Asia Ltd. It was established to assist young Asian drivers make the transition from karting to European formulae such as Formula Ford and Formula Renault. Rounds were held in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. A special invitation race was also held annually at the Macau Grand Prix

Macau Grand Prix

The Macau Grand Prix is a motor-racing event held annually in Macau, one of China's Special Administrative Regions. It is known for being the only street circuit racing event in which both car and motorcycle races are held...

. It was replaced by Formula BMW

Formula BMW

Formula BMW is a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It is positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category...

 Asia in 2003.

Japanese female driver Keiko Ihara

Keiko Ihara

Keiko Ihara is a Japanese female race car driver. She was a former race queen, one of the women who dress up in swimsuits and parade around race circuits, before deciding to become a racing driver. She is one of the few Japanese women nationals to race internationally at a high level...

 finished third in the AF2000 race at the 2002 Macau Grand Prix, becoming the first women on the podium in the event's 50-year history.

Drivers who have taken part in Formula Asia include: Michael Vergers, Narain Karthikeyan

Narain Karthikeyan

Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan , is the first Formula One motor racing driver from India. He has previously competed in A1GP, and the Le Mans Series. He made his Formula One debut in with the Jordan team, and was a WilliamsF1 test driver in and...

, Alex Yoong

Alex Yoong

Alexander Charles Yoong Loong , is a Malaysian race car driver of European and Asian parentage. His mother, Joanna Bean, is from England. His father, Hanifah Yoong Yin Fah , a Malaysian Chinese, is a former racer and manager of the Shah Alam circuit between 1988 and 1998...

, Ananda Mikola

Ananda Mikola

Ananda Mikola is an Indonesian racecar driver.Mikola competed in the Italian and International Formula 3000 series from 1999 through 2001 and was champion of Asian F3 in the 2005 season. He was out of racing for a couple of seasons before driving for A1 Team Indonesia in A1GP. As of the April 2...

, Satrio Hermanto

Satrio Hermanto

Adil Satryaguna "Satrio" Hermanto is an Indonesian racing driver.- Karting :He started racing in the Indonesian karting National Championship in 1994.* 1995 : National Champion Category intercontinental A...

, Takuma Sato

Takuma Sato

is a Japanese automobile racing driver and the most successful Japanese Formula One driver in history. He is currently racing for KV Racing Technology in IndyCar Series under the Lotus banner.-Junior Years:...

, Mark Goddard

Mark Goddard (racing driver)

Mark Goddard is the current managing director of the Asian Formula Three Corporation that runs the Asian Formula Three Championship and is a former racing driver. He is also the team proprietor of Team Eurasia, formerly known as Team Goddard and Minardi Team Asia...

, Parthiva Sureshwaren

Parthiva Sureshwaren

Parthiva Sureshwaren is an Indian race car driver born in Chennai.-A1 Grand Prix:Sureshwaren drove in the 2006-07 A1 Grand Prix season for A1 Team India at the Australian round, replacing Narain Karthikeyan. He did so again for the 2007-08 season, replacing the injured Karthikeyan at Durban...

, Karun Chandhok, , Denis Lian

Denis Lian

Denis Lian is a Singaporean race car driver.Denis Lian is Singapore's most successful professional racing driver. In 2002, he was crowned Asian Formula 2000 Champion, becoming the first Singaporean to win an international motorsports title...

, Jim Ka To

Jim Ka To

Jim Ka To , is a race car driver who competed in the 2001 Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup.He started racing at an early age at the Zhuhai International Circuit...

 and Danny Watts

Danny Watts

Danny Watts is a British racing driver.Danny Watts started racing in 1993, when he began karting. After five seasons of karting, he stepped up to single seater racing in 1998 in the UK Formula First championship, in which he dominated with 12 wins...

.

Past champions

• 1996   Narain Karthikeyan
• 1997   Bagoes Hermanto
• 1998   Ben Walsh
• 1999   Nattapong Horthongkum
• 2000   Ng Wai-Leong
• 2001   Karun Chandhok
• 2002   Denis Lian

Macau Asian Formula 2000 Challenge winners

• 1999   Takuma Sato
• 2000   Philippe Descombes
• 2001   Philippe Descombes
• 2002   Danny Watts