Alexander The Great

So it all comes down to this, the 2008 Formula BMW World Championships in Mexico City.

That’s where Nevada City’s “Team Rossi” racing family finds itself this week, when the culmination of five years worth of work comes with an opportunity of a lifetime.

Seventeen-year-old Alexander Rossi will climb into cockpit of his EuroInternational race car this weekend with the weight of his own future bearing down between 10-and-2 on the steering wheel.

Maybe his whole career won’t hinge on whether he’s the one sitting in victory lane at race’s end. After all, he will be up against the top up-and-coming Formula car drivers from around the world.

A strong showing still might open doors to his dream of becoming the first successful American Formula One driver since Mario Andretti. But the checkered flag literally lands him in the driver’s seat of a solo audition for his future occupation.

Rossi, who this year became the first American to win a Formula BMW series, not only is looking to win this weekend’s world championship but also the grand prize of test driving with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

With so much riding on the line of this one, Rossi expects nothing less than the toughest race of his career against international elite competition seeking the same seat with the Sauber team.

“It’s like running away from a pack of monsters,” Rossi said, recalling his run in the ’07 championships in Valencia, Spain. A bent suspension stalled his efforts. “It’s scary. You just push really hard because you don’t want to be near those guys.

“I’ve been preparing for it ever since last year in Spain. It was my first event in Europe and my first world championships. We had the speed for sure, but everything didn’t fall into place.”

So far in his young, but stellar, racing career, such an ending has proven to be the exception and not the norm.

Fast to the front

Rossi said he walked away from the 2007 worlds “crushed,” but he still had plenty of reason to hold his head high after his rookie campaign in the Formula BMW Americas series.

He took third place overall in the series, with five podium performances. But all three of his wins came down the backstretch of the season, offering plenty of promise for the ’08 season with new team EuroInternational and owner Antonio Ferrari.

But who knew he’d dominate the season in such fashion? Rossi rocketed out to the front of the pack with 10 wins and 10 pole positions en route to the championships. His three wins in ’07 combine with his ’08 count to give him a record 13 wins in the Formula BMW Americas.

The margin of victory in the championship series might have been a surprise, considering the dominance Rossi displayed, the title at season’s end was not at all shocking to Team Rossi.

It was the goal all along.

“Alexander is driven by his passion and dream,” said Pieter Rossi, Alexander’s father and team manager. “He just loves to race and in his element when his helmet on.

“As his father I reassure him to enjoy the journey along the way and take one race at time whether or not if he arrives in Formula One or not. This is very rewarding to watch Alexander chase his dreams and work so hard to make it happen.

“As Alexander’s manager I do not need to remind him at this point he is in a sport that is all about winning and performance. Alexander has been very successful in a highly competitive environment and the road ahead becomes even more so en route to F1. It is brutal, but he is so motivated, disciplined and up for the task. He thrives on the challenge and the competition, it is fun to watch.”

Community driven

Team Rossi knows full well that its success isn’t solely based on Alexander’s driving ability, although his skills play the largest role.

Funding a racing team isn’t an easy endeavor, especially in an ever-tightening economy.

Though the driver’s talent can land a large chunk of change, which is the case with EuroInternational funding 50 percent of Rossi’s budget.

Another portion of funding puzzle comes through support of the series, which helps with education and coaching costs as well as with shipping, marketing, track fees and more.

But the key piece to the puzzle comes in personal sponsorships, many of which have been provided in Rossi’s western Nevada County community.

Through corporate sponsorships, VIP Invitation Guest trips and community partnerships, Team Rossi has held together the necessary funding despite a down economy.

Many of the local sponsors are more interested in supporting a young, homegrown talent than any sort of return on their sponsorship.

“It is a privilege to know our firm is associated with a top international motor sports competitor like Alexander,” said Ken Meyers of Meyers Investment Group in Grass Valley. “He is a perfect ambassador for any business; well spoken, modest and talented.

“There is no doubt he has a big future in professional motor sports and we look forward to working with him for years to come.”

Behind the scenes

Jet-setting round the globe to race international events might sound glamorous, yet it’s anything but, according to the Rossi family.

Team Rossi begins with the three-person core who have been there since Alexander’s accomplished karting days — namely mom, dad and driver.

“(Alexander’s) life is anything but glamorous,” said Dawn Rossi, who handles travel arrangements, team photography and so much more as a mother. “He works seven days a week. It takes seven days a week to juggle all commitments he has. It’s a testament to him, how hard he’s willing to work in all aspects of his life.

“I feel like a parent who is on the cusp, kind of watching her child have the opportunity to be so close to achieving what he’s dreamed of.

“And at the same time, I’m at the brink of utter exhaustion.”

Alexander, who graduated high school early and already has three semesters of college under his belt, splits his time between school, community service events and the track.

But he’s getting some help in trying to keep it all balanced. He’s not the only Rossi working 24/7 toward making that dream come true. Essentially, when it comes to Team Rossi they’re all in — all three of them.

In addition to being dad and team manager, Pieter Rossi also has a landscape design company to operate.

Meanwhile, his 17-year-old son is flying back and forth to Europe before meeting up with his parents in Mexico City for the world championships this week.

“Most people think we’re sick,” Pieter said with a laugh. “Which we could be. But we definitely just believe so much in what he’s doing. The whole family is committed.”

To contact Sports Editor Brian Hamilton, e-mail bhamilton@theunion.com or call 477-4240.