18 – 26th May 2005 ALFA ROMEO RACING TEAM WITHDREW
APPEAL
Alfa Romeo Racing Team did not confirm the appeal they had
lodged on Sunday 15th May in Silverstone, against the decision
taken by the Stewards on the incident that involved Gabriele
Tarquini and SEAT Sport’s Peter Terting during the second
race. That collision caused a chain reaction resulting in
Tarquini’s team-mate James Thompson being beached in
the gravel trap. The Stewards blamed Tarquini for having caused
an avoidable accident and decided to impose on him a drop
of ten places on the starting grid of the first race in Imola,
and also an exclusion, suspended for the events in Imola and
Puebla. Should Tarquini be involved in a similar incident,
he will be excluded from that race.
TOURING CAR BUREAU’S LATEST DECISIONS
The Touring Car Bureau has confirmed the decision, taken before
Silverstone, to reduce the minimum weight of all front-wheel-drive
cars by 20 kg. Having considered the lap times set during
the races on the British racetrack, the Bureau has maintained
the same weights for Imola. The Bureau has also decided to
reduce the minimum weight of Alessandro Zanardi’s BMW
320i by 20-kg. The decision has been taken further to consideration
of the lap times set by the Italian driver in Monza, Magny-Cours
and Silverstone.
RACING CARS IN BOLOGNA’S HISTORICAL CENTRE
Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore was a hub of activity yesterday
as the FIA WTCC came to town. Ahead of rounds 7 and 8 of the
championship fans got to see the cars close up as well as
meet some of the drivers. These included Italian aces Alessandro
Zanardi, Nicola Larini, and Fabrizio Giovanardi, as well as
reigning FIA ETCC champion Andy Priaulx and Austrian driver
Sascha Plöderl. With a clear blue sky, the famous Neptune’s
fountain a striking background for the five racing cars, and
large enthusiastic crowds, it was certainly a successful event
for all. On Sunday the fans will gather at Imola to see the
real show – the bumper to bumper action of the races.
ZANARDI WINS COMEBACK SPORTSMAN AWARD Alessandro
Zanardi was presented with the Laureus World Sports Award
for the Comeback Sportsman of the Year 2004, at Estoril. In
addition to the 38-year-old racing driver who made a come
back with BMW in the 2003 FIA European Touring Car Championship’s
final meeting at Monza, honours also went to tennis player
Roger Federer (Sportsman of the Year), athlete Kelly Holmes
(Sportswoman of the Year) and the Greek national football
team, winner of the European Championship. “I am very
proud to have received this award,” said Zanardi. “It’s
like standing at the top of the podium after winning a race.
With this award in my hands, I go to Imola with an even greater
incentive.”
CARLOS MASTRETTA: I’M HERE TO LEARN
Carlos Mastretta faces his FIA WTCC debut in Imola. The 21
year old Mexican, who is primarily competing in the Mexican
Copa Corona this season, will be driving a GR Asia SEAT Toledo
Cupra.
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