FIA WTCC NEWSLETTER # 34 – 30 August 2007
BRITISH EVENT LAUNCHED IN BRANDS
The British event of the FIA World Touring Car Championship,
that will take place in Brands Hatch on September 22nd and
23rd, was launched yesterday at the racetrack with a crowded
press conference in which Andy Priaulx and Rob Huff met their
home media.
Afterwards Priaulx gave journalists a front seat view of
the action in his BMW 320si racing car, and said he did not
let nervous passengers compromise this last opportunity to
get some laps in: “I was on maximum attack, I just treated
the passengers like extra ballast. I was going for a flat
out test!”
Although Priaulx drove only on the shorter Indy circuit,
while the FIA WTCC races will be held on the Grand Prix circuit,
his intrepid passengers had a full introduction to the world
of touring cars. “Around the back of Brands Hatch is
absolutely awesome! For me it’s just one of those tracks;
it’s like a roller coaster! Paddock Hill Bend is like
falling off the edge of the world!” commented Andy.
39,000
SPECTATORS AT OSCHERSLEBEN
A large crowd attended the FIA WTCC’s rounds 15 and
16 at Oschersleben. On a sunny weekend, 39,000 spectators
gathered on the grandstands of the German track and were rewarded
by two breathtaking and action packed races. Race 1 also marked
an historical moment for motor sport: the first victory of
a diesel-powered car in a world championship round, achieved
by Yvan Muller and his SEAT León TDI.
D’ASTE TAKES INDEPENDENT LEAD
Stefano D’Aste of Wiechers-Sport is the new leader
of the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy. Claiming a 6th
and a 2nd place in rounds 15 and 16 last Sunday at Oschersleben,
the Italian driver jumped from second to first in the classification.
D’Aste has scored 99 points so far, creating a 6-point
gap ahead of his closest competitor Luca Rangoni of Proteam
Motorsport, with Pierre-Yves Corthals of Exagon Racing only
one further point adrift. The latter, who was leading the
trophy before Oschersleben, remained scoreless after he was
involved in a pile-up at the start of race one and damage
obtained to his car meant that he had to skip the second race
also.
Both races in Germany were won by SEAT Sport Italia drivers;
Roberto Colciago and Massimiliano Pedalà took one victory
apiece moving up to 4th and 7th in the points respectively.
ADRIA TO HOST THE THIRD FIA ETC CUP
The Italian racetrack of Adria will host the third edition
of the FIA European Touring Car Cup. The event will take place
on October 27 and 28, gathering the best Touring Car drivers
from the main national championships in Europe. This will
be the first time the FIA Touring Cars visit the Adria Raceway
that is located 50 km South of Venice.
Like last year in Estoril, the third edition of the European
Cup will adopt the World Touring Car Championship format:
two 30-minute free practice sessions and one 30-minute qualifying
session on Saturday; a 15-minute warm-up and two 50 km races
on Sunday. The grid for the second race will be determined
by the results of the first race, with the top-eight in reverse
order.
Cars of both the eligible categories – Super 2000 and
Super Productions – will race together.
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