WTCC 2007 - Fredrik Ekblom celebrates his WTCC debut with
BMW Team UK
Three of the remaining six FIA WTCC race events this season
will see BMW Team UK receive extra reinforcement in the shape
of Fredrik Ekblom (SWE). The 36-year-old Swede will be celebrating
his World Touring Car Championship debut on home ground on
29th July 2007, when he joins team-mate Andy Priaulx (GBR)
on the "Scandinavian Raceway" in Anderstorp for
the first time. Further race appearances are scheduled in
Monza (ITA) and at the season finale in Macau (CHN).
An old hand in racing, Ekblom is already familiar with Belgium's
RBM Team under the auspices of team boss Bart Mampaey (BEL).
In the European Touring Car Championship 2002 Ekblom sported
the colours of BMW Team Belgium in his BMW 320i, managing
three podium appearances and a total of 21 points for the
season. "Fredrik is no stranger to us," said Bart
Mampaey. "Six years ago our RBM Team joined its first
FIA Touring Car competition with him in its ranks. Now we
are pleased to have him back, supporting Andy Priaulx in the
fight for the title. In the closing stages of the World Championship
it is especially helpful for a team to have two cars on the
starting grid."
"I am pleased to be able to join six World Championship
races for BMW Team UK - two of which will even be happening
in my home country at Anderstorp," Ekblom said. "I
have never lost contact to RBM and I have followed the team's
enormous success over the years with great enthusiasm. It
is really impressive to see what Bart Mampaey has managed
to build up with his crew and with Andy Priaulx. I had a good
time with them in 2002 and hope that I can contribute a few
points as we move into the deciding stages of the championship."
Ekblom is quite familiar with the BMW 320si WTCC that will
carry the Swedish flag, having already raced it for Team WestCoast
Racing in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC). After
five race weekends he is currently leading the championship
on 29 points, already winning the race series twice in 1998
and 2003. Ekblom is also an experienced driver of other BMW
cars, having joined the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in
a BMW M3 GTR in 2001.
For two-times World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, this
will not be the first time he has had a team-mate for extra
support: in 2005 and 2006 Duncan Huisman (NLD) and Jan Magnussen
(DEN) joined BMW Team UK to support the Englishman in his
fight for the title at the showdown in Macau.
One month after this year's WTCC final, London's brand new
Wembley Stadium will be hosting another highlight for Priaulx:
the Race of Champions. Last Wednesday the 32-year-old took
his BMW 320si WTCC to the official presentation of the event,
which shows how the best drivers in the world measure up when
driving different race cars. But before the big day comes
round on 16th December 2007, Priaulx will be looking to defend
his title one more time with the help of Fredrik Ekblom.
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