Estoril, Portugal, 22nd October 2006
DRIVER QUOTES AFTER THE RACES OF THE FIA EUROPEAN TOURING
CAR CUP SUPER 2000
Ryan SHARP – GR Asia, WINNER “I’ve
had a fantastic first year in touring car racing and I think
I have proved myself to a lot of people. It was unfortunate
I didn’t finish the year in the WTCC but the ETCC was
a great chance to show what I could do. In qualifying we proved
we were as quick as the other cars and the team worked hard
to get the right set-up in the tricky conditions. People say
it’s an advantage driving a front wheel car in this
weather but the GR Asia cars were so much faster than the
rest of the front wheel drive cars it says a lot.”
Emmet O’BRIEN – GR Asia, 2nd classified
“Things have been difficult this year and it was a disappointment
when my management made the decision I had to stop the WTCC.
As Ryan (Sharp) said, this competition was the perfect opportunity
to get back into a touring car. I had two excellent races
and an excellent car all weekend, my thanks to the team for
that. What edge did Ryan have? He made the right breaks at
the right time and got good gaps which I couldn’t close.
Two second places is a great result for me at this stage in
the season so I go away happy.”
Tomas ENGSTRÖM – Engström Motorsport,
3rd classified “Yesterday we struggled with
the car and only managed five laps with wet tyres. The Yokohama
tyres are new to the team so we had to make some major adjustments
to the ballast in order compensate. After Race 1 I knew I
would have to push hard in Race 2 because the SEAT cars were
so strong. Third place is a great result for me and I’m
very pleased to be the best Swede!”
SUPER PRODUCTION
Alexander LVOV – Golden Motors, WINNER
“As I predicted yesterday, things were not easy out
there. I had a problem with my gearbox in Race 1 which caused
difficulties when in 2nd gear. To fix the problem I kept one
hand on the gear stick which left only one hand to steer with!
In such wet conditions it is difficult to avoid making a little
contact with other drivers. In Race 2 I clashed with Kulli
and he dropped out, that’s all I know. It means a lot
to me and my career to have competed at this level.”
Timur SADREDINOV – Sport-Garage, 2nd classified
“It is only the second event I have done in my car.
When we came here I wasn’t sure how to steer it and
we didn’t have many set-up options. Due to these factors
I made some mistakes but I knew I could be fast. It was a
difficult weekend but an important one because I am just 17
years old and I am learning.”
Janis HORELIKS – JH Motorsport, 3rd classified
“It was brave for us to come here this weekend because
the car is very old and we have done very little testing.
However, the experience was worth it and it has been a very
important step in my career; perhaps for moving to Super 2000
cars next year. I’m pretty sure it is the first time
someone from the Baltic States has participated in a competition
of this high level and we proved we can do well so I hope
to see more in the future.”
|
