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FIA WTCC NEWSLETTER # 35 – 23rd September 2005
SEAT: THREE LEÓNS AND A YOUNG SPANIARD
The whole SEAT Sport team is stepping up to the new car for
their home race in Valencia. The team’s three drivers
Jordi Gené, Rickard Rydell and Peter Terting will all
be at the wheel of the new León (it will be the first
time for Rydell and Terting).
At the same time Marc Carol will make his debut in a Toledo
Cupra. The 20-year old from Barcelona won the 2004 Spanish
SEAT León Supercopa and his participation in the WTCC
Race of Spain with the assistance of SEAT Sport is part of
his prize.
SEAT Sport director Jaime Puig said: "I'm pleased that
a driver who showed his talents in the León Supercopa
can now race in the FIA WTCC with the support of the SEAT
Sport team; we plan to do again with the winner of this year's
Supercopa. "
ENGSTRÖM AND HARRISON TO RACE FOR JAS
JAS Motorsport will run two cars again at Valencia and Macau.
The Italian team, forced to race only one Honda Accord since
the second was demolished at Puebla, have signed Tomas Engström
and Simon Harrison to join Adriano De Micheli.
41-year old Engström, who will drive at Valencia, took
part in the 2005 FIA WTCC inaugural event in Monza; he then
competed in the Swedish Touring Car Championship in which
he was classified fifth with one race win in a JAS-built Honda
Accord. "It feels good, especially because we are extending
the co-operation with JAS," Engström said. Harrison
will join the team in Macau. The 36-year old Englishman competed
in last year’s FIA European Touring Car Championship.
He is very familiar with Macau; there he qualified 3rd in
2003 before retiring after a clash with Jörg Müller.
“It’s great to race in Macau with such a competitive
car," he commented. "We will aim for the Independents
Trophy, however I would not be surprised to fight with the
works drivers."
HEAVY BALLASTS FOR ALFA ROMEO MEN
Further to their successful weekend in Istanbul, all the
Alfa Romeo drivers will have heavy ballasts on board. Giovanardi
and Thompson will carry the maximum 60 kg – like championship
leader Andy Priaulx – Tarquini will be on 55 and Farfus
on 30.
Driver |
handicap for results in the previous meetings |
handicap for the championship points |
total handicap |
Andy Priaulx |
40 kg |
30 kg |
60 kg |
James Thompson |
40 kg |
25 kg |
60 kg |
Fabrizio Giovanardi |
40 kg |
35 kg |
60 kg |
Dirk Müller |
20 kg |
35 kg |
55 kg |
Gabriele Tarquini |
20 kg |
25 kg |
45 kg |
Alessandro Zanardi |
30 kg |
10 kg |
40 kg |
Augusto Farfus jr. |
10 kg |
20 kg |
30 kg |
Jörg Müller |
10 kg |
20 kg |
30 kg |
Rickard Rydell |
10 kg |
20 kg |
30 kg |
Antonio García |
0 kg |
20 kg |
20 kg |
Peter Terting |
0 kg |
10 kg |
10 kg |
Jordi Gené |
0 kg |
5 kg |
5 kg |
Jason Plato |
0 kg |
5 kg |
5 kg |
Tom Coronel |
0 kg |
5 kg |
5 kg |
MAN OF THE WEEK: STEFANO D’ASTE
The International Court of Appeal’s decision to confirm
Stefano D’Aste’s 2nd place finish in Spa, sanctioned
the Proteam Motorsport driver’s best result of a privateer
this season. A successful weekend in Istanbul put Proteam
in the lead of the Michelin Independent Team’s trophy
with two events to go.
Before the season could you have dreamt you would
achieve such a brilliant result as you did in Spa?
“At the beginning of the season, definitely not. But
when we got to Spa we were really quick. I came from last
to 16th in the first race and this gave me confidence. Also,
when it rained I was happy because I knew driver competence
was more important than engine performance so I went out there
and drove as best I could.”
Do you think Proteam can win the Independent Team’s
trophy?
“Yes, I think Proteam really are the best private
team. At every track we go to we quickly find a set-up that
works well, because of good communication with the engineers
and hard work.”
What do you expect from Valencia and Macau?
“Valencia favours front wheel drive cars, however
I am confident about the races. I feel I could beat Hennerici
but Coronel in the SEAT could be a more difficult challenge.
As for Macau, I have never been there before. I am told the
first time will be terrible but I am a quick learner so hopefully
it will be ok. I am really looking forward to it.”
FLASH NEWS
UNIVERSITY: Within the promotional activities
for the Spanish event, FIA WTCC cars and drivers will visit
on Thursday the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.
While the cars will be exhibited on the university’s
campus, the drivers will take part in a press conference and
an autograph session.
CHEVROLET: A new engine step will be installed
in the three Chevrolet Lacetti cars from Valencia; Robert
Huff will be the first to test it at MIRA proving ground on
Monday, while Nicola Larini and Alain Menu do it the day after.
“We expect the new engine give us a three percent power
increase,” team manager Mark Busfield said.
THEY SAID: QUOTE OF THE WEEK Andy Priaulx,
commenting on his results in Istanbul: “Sometimes you
need a bit of luck and I got it in Race 1 in Istanbul: I was
third and this has given me the great leap forward I needed
to the front of the WTCC. I may have benefited from the misfortune
of others, but I have seen this sort of luck from both sides
– remember Silverstone!”
TV COVERAGE FROM VALENCIA (Central European
Time)
Friday 30th: FIA WTCC Magazine EUROSPORT, 08.30/09.00
Saturday, 1st: Qualifying – LIVE SPORTITALIA, 15.40/16.10
Qualifying – highlights EUROSPORT, 20.00/20.15
Sunday, 2nd: Warm up – LIVE EUROSPORT, 09.30/10.00
Races 1 & 2 – LIVE EUROSPORT, 15.00/17.00 Races
1 & 2 – LIVE SPORTITALIA, 15.00/17.00 Races 1 &
2 – LIVE RTL TVI (BEL), 15.00/17.00
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