FIA WTCC Newsletter #15
CHEVROLET SET THE PACE AT VALENCIA
Alain Menu's Chevrolet Lacetti was the fastest car in the
WTCC official test on Tuesday and Wednesday at Valencia. The
Swiss driver replaced his team-mate Nicola Larini on the second
day and posted the fastest time with a lap of 1:42.886 that
was one tenth faster than Farfus' time on Tuesday (1:42.990),
and Jörg Müller's best lap (1:42.994) on Wednesday.
"I worked mainly on different suspension settings, but
we haven't decided on anything final yet. The engineers will
take the data home and come up with a good package for the
race," said Menu.
Tom Coronel surprised everyone by posting the fourth best
time at the wheel of his SUNRED petrol-powered SEAT León.
The Dutchman, who took part for the first time in a WTCC official
test, completed his best lap in 1:43.335; only four tenths
off Menu's and slightly faster than local heroes Jordi Gené
and Félix Porteiro.
James Thompson and the N.technology team worked to set up
the brand new Honda Accord Euro R in view of joining the championship
from the Valencia meeting in May. Also 26-year old Spaniard
José Manuel Pérez-Aicart tested the SUNRED car
in preparation for his WTCC debut (at Valencia in May), a
very special award for the winner of the 2007 SEAT León
Supercopa.
At BMW, Farfus, Müller and Andy Priaulx altogether completed
an impressive 643 laps.
THOMPSON HAPPY WITH VALENCIA TEST
The 2008 season got underway for N.technology at the two-day
FIA WTCC official test in Valencia. It was a very promising
debut for the team's brand new Honda Accord Euro R that James
Thompson will drive in the championship from the next race
meeting that will take place in Valencia on May 18th.
On Tuesday, the test's first day, the team completed 54 laps,
working through the fundamental set-ups and paying particular
attention to the car's general balance and grip.
"We had a lot of work to do as this was our first official
test," said Thompson. "We were working hard, completing
good runs and making sure we'll be competitive for the race
debut. I felt like a kid with a new toy!"
The development programme was completed on a high on Wednesday,
with Thompson posting the fastest lap in the afternoon's session
(1:43.500), which was also the eighth fastest over the whole
two-day test, only six tenths off Alain Menu's best lap of
1:42.886.
"This week's trackside work has been really encouraging,"
said the Thompson who completed 83 further laps. "There
are a few things that will need working on back at the factory,
but otherwise we are really pleased with our progress."
POULSEN IN 2009 WTCC PROGRAMME
Denmark-based Poulsen Motorsport announced their plans to
join the 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championship. During the
current season the team will take part in the Danish Touring
Car Championship as well as the FIA European Touring Car Cup
and three events of the FIA WTCC with four BMW 320si cars.
Team owner and driver Kristian Poulsen has been joined by
reigning Danish Touring Car Champion and FIA European Touring
Car Cup winner Michel Nykjær, 1999 DTC champion Jesper
Sylvest, and Irish youngster Emmet O'Brien, formerly a regular
WTCC competitor.
"We have a busy programme for this year, but we have
more ambitious plans for 2009 as we intend to take part in
the full WTCC season with three cars," declared Poulsen.
The drivers for Poulsen Motorsport's 2009 WTCC move are O'Brien,
Nykjær and Poulsen himself.
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