FIA WTCC NEWSLETTER # 39 – 5 October 2007
CHEVROLET TO REMAIN IN THE WTCC
Chevrolet confirmed that it will remain in the FIA WTCC beyond
2007, and the RML team will continue to run the works squad.
The manufacturer joined the series in 2005, and after improved
performance during each year, Chevrolet Europe has decided
to stay in the series beyond its original three-year agreement.
Chevrolet Europe's motorsport manager Eric Nève said:
"The extension of the current agreement should be seen
as a commitment by Chevrolet Europe to the WTCC, but also
as the result of the constant increase of performance of our
cars due to the excellent work of RML. The team have worked
very hard over the past three seasons, each time finding steps
forward, and will continue to do so over the coming winter
as we prepare the 2008 campaign."
After scoring a handful of points in 2005, the team went
on to take two victories in 2006, and so far this season they
have taken five wins.
RML chief executive Ray Mallock added: "It is very rewarding
to be closely involved in this important time for the Chevrolet
brand and to be a part of their success. Everyone at RML is
delighted to confirm this continuation of our motorsport partnership
with Chevrolet Europe; this will take us to 19 consecutive
years of working with General Motors."
TARQUINI SWITCHES TO LEÓN TDI
For his home race meeting SEAT Sport’s Gabriele Tarquini
will switch from the petrol-powered León to the León
TDI; the third turbo diesel car lined up by the Spanish manufacturer
alongside Jordi Gené’s and Yvan Muller’s.
The SEAT León TDI debuted in the FIA WTCC only two
months ago at Anderstorp and four weeks later in Oschersleben
it managed to claim the first victory of a diesel car in a
World Championship.
Tarquini recently completed a 100 km test in the León
TDI at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, and before
he makes his racing debut in the car at Monza he will return
to Spain to test it again at the Calafat circuit.
“Monza is my home race and I am very happy to be going
there with the León TDI, because for sure it will be
better for us down the straights. I will have a lot of family
and friends at Monza and I am very focused on this race. I
am 30 points behind in the Drivers’ standings, and with
only 40 points available it is too far, but there is still
a very big job to do – and that is the try and help
SEAT win the Manufacturers’ and Yvan win the Drivers’
Championship,” said the Italian driver.
ZANARDI’S PENALTIES SUSPENDED
Alessandro Zanardi had his penalties for the event in Monza
suspended by the Stewards after new evidences were produced
to light up the pile up at the start of the first race in
Oschersleben.
The Stewards, who had first imposed the Italian driver a
drop of ten-positions on the grid for both the Monza races,
have reconsidered the situation and revised their decision,
suspending the two penalties until the end of the season.
COLCIAGO DROPPED TEN POSITIONS
Further to a collision between Roberto Colciago and Alessandro
Zanardi at the start of the second race in Brands Hatch, the
SEAT Sport Italia driver was judged by Stewards guilty for
causing an avoidable incident. Therefore Colciago will be
dropped ten positions on the starting grid for Race 1 in Monza.
WTCC DRIVERS IN THE BTCC FINALE
FIA World Touring Car Championship drivers Alain Menu and
Tom Coronel will play crucial roles in the British Touring
Car Championship title fight next week at Thruxton.
Both the SEAT Sport UK and VX Racing teams have entered a
third car in the season finale to support their own drivers
Jason Plato and Fabrizio Giovanardi who are first and second
in the championship classification, only 9 points apart.
SEAT Sport will supply seat Sport UK with a third SEAT León
car for Tom Coronel, who will driver alongside Plato and Darren
Turner. Chevrolet will loan Menu to their sister General Motors
marque Vauxhall; the Swiss will join Giovanardi and Tom Chilton
at VX Racing in a third Vauxhall Vectra car.
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