FIA WTCC NEWSLETTER # 15 – 19 May 2006
THOMPSON FASTEST IN TODAY’S TESTING
James Thompson emerged as fastest of the field in the 30 minute
test session that took place ahead of the FIA WTCC race meeting
on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix track. The Yorkshire man posted
a rapid 1:33.744 at the wheel of his SEAT León, ahead
of Alfa Romeo driver, Augusto Farfus’ 1:33.936. Yvan
Muller, also a SEAT driver, set the third fastest time which
was 0.387 off the pace and behind him were two further SEAT
cars driven by Rickard Rydell and Peter Terting.
The best of the BMW troop was Jörg Müller, 6th
fastest overall, while Alex Zanardi completed a lap just 0.001
seconds slower (1:34.583) placing him an impressive 7th. Alain
Menu, at the wheel of his Chevrolet Lacetti, achieved the
8th best time overall. Below him on the time sheet was independent
driver Tom Coronel who hit the track in his new GR Asia SEAT
León for the first time, posting a 1:34.779. The top
ten times were covered by only one second, and were completed
by Andy Priaulx of BMW Team
UK who shot from 18th to 10th on his final lap by completing
it in 1:34.812. The session was red-flagged after eight minutes,
when Diego Romanini’s BMW spun at the Surtees bend;
the session resumed early afterwards.
THE TOP-10 IN THE TEST SESSION
1. James Thompson SEAT León 1:33.744 142.20 kph
2. Augusto Farfus Alfa Romeo 156 1:33.936 0.192
3. Yvan Muller SEAT León 1:34.131 0.387
4. Rickard Rydell SEAT León 1:34.270 0.526
5. Peter Terting SEAT León 1:34.511 0.767
6. Jörg Müller BMW 320si 1:34.582 0.838
7. Alessandro Zanardi BMW 320si 1:34.583 0.839
8. Alain Menu Chevrolet Lacetti 1:34.641 0.897
9. Tom Coronel SEAT León 1:34.779 1.035
10. Andy Priaulx BMW 320si 1:34.812 1.068
RACE DISTANCE INCREASED BY 2 LAPS The race
distance for FIA WTCC rounds 5 and 6 in Brands Hatch has been
increased by 2 laps. Recent checks of the racetrack have set
its actual length to 2.301 miles or 3.703 km, meaning that
each of the Sunday’s 50-km races will consist of 14
laps instead of the scheduled 12.
AN FIA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT BRANDS AFTER 17 YEARS
The FIA WTCC marks the return of an FIA World Championship
to Brands Hatch after 17 years. Many times in the past –
until 1986 – the circuit was home to the British Formula
One Grand Prix. Later it hosted rounds of the World Sportscar
Championship until 1989.
WTCC DRIVERS MET FANS IN CENTRAL LONDON
A selection of FIA WTCC drivers pleased British fans yesterday
by taking part in an autograph session in the Alex Reade Motorsport
memorabilia shop in Regent Street. Andy Priaulx, James Thompson,
Robert Huff, Ryan Sharp, Pier-Yves Corthals and Stefano D’Aste
all spent a total of 2 hours signing posters and merchandise.
NIGEL MANSELL PROVIDES EXTRA SHOW
As if the array of top class motorsport activities was not
enough this weekend, spectators at the Kent circuit of Brands
Hatch will be treated to some something extra special, courtesy
of Nigel Mansell. The racing legend returns to the track where
he achieved his first Formula 1 victory in 1982, to complete
demonstration laps at the wheel of an infamous BMW M3 GTR
which will take place on Sunday, during the luch break. Mansell
has further reason to attend the WTCC event as his two sons,
Greg and Leo, are competing in the Formula BMW UK support
series.
STAMPS CELEBRATE ANDY PRIAULX WORLD TITLE
Andy Priaulx, in conjunction with the Guernsey post,
will be launching a set of six stamps to commemorate his outstanding
international motor sport career that culminated in the 2005
FIA WTCC title. A media briefing will take place on Saturday,
May 20th at 5.00 pm at the BMW UK hospitality in Brands Hatch,
with Andy being joined by his family and Nigel Mansell to
launch the collection.
ALEX ZANARDI INVITES AMPUTEE RALLY DRIVER
Alex Zanardi will be hosting a special guest this weekend
after making contact with a British amateur rally driver who
lost his legs in a motorway accident. Barry Pavey from Bridgwater
received words of encouragement from the Italian legend when
a Somerset paper informed him of Mr Pavey’s desire to
return to racing. Mr Pavey will visit Brands Hatch to watch
Zanardi race as well as receiving a guided tour of his modified
BMW.
CLASSIC TOURING CARS TO STAR ON TRACK
To pay homage to the classic cars that graced Brands Hatch
in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, event promoters
have created the ‘Jack Sears Trophy’, a two race
competition involving historic Saloon and GT cars. Models
such as the Ford Anglia, Mini and Jaguar Mk2 will take part
in a handicap race. Jack Sears, who won the inaugural British
Touring Car Championship in 1958 and again in 1963 will present
the trophy named in his honour.
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