WTCC // RULE CHANGE AND REVISED 2011 CALENDAR

In Paris today (Nov 3rd) the FIA World Motor Sport Council has approved the new system for the World Touring Car Championship reverse grid that will be adopted from next year. In order to avoid drivers deliberately losing positions during Race 1 with the aim of securing pole position for Race 2, from 2011 the reverse grid for the second race will be based on the final results of the Q1 qualifying session. Furthermore, the number of drivers to be reversed will be enlarged from the current eight, to ten. The reverse grid for Race 2 is currently based of the provisional results of the first race... [read more]

Also confirmed was the revised 2011 calender which now includes Zolder in Belgium once more and also confirms Donington Park as the venue for the UK round of the series.

Revised 2011 World Touring Car Championship Calendar:

20 March - Brazil - Curitiba
24 April - Belgium - Zolder ##
15 May - Italy - Monza
05 June - Morocco - Marrakech
19 June - Czech Republic - Brno
03 July - Portgual - Porto #
17 July - United Kingdom - Donington Park
31 July - Germany - Oschersleben
04 September - Spain - Valencia Ricardo Tormo
23 October - Japan - Suzuka
05 November - China - TBA ##
20 November - Macau - Macau

# Subject to homologation of the circuit
## - Subject to confirmation of the ASN

Info: WTCC
Photo: Neil Tozer

NEWS // VOLVO CONFIRMS 2011 WTCC ENTRY

Volvo have announced today a single car entry into next season's World Touring Car Championship. After various one off races in the series during 2008/09 the Swedish manufacturer officially confirmed today the entry of a single C30 to be driven by Robert Dahlgren... [read more]

Marcello Lotti (WTCC Series Manager) commented "It is with the greatest satisfaction that we welcome Volvo’s participation to the 2011 WTCC. "They supported us back in 2002 when we launched the FIA S2000 class in the European Touring Car Championship, and now they are back again the moment we adopt new technical rules, which shows their trust in the FIA and our organisation.

"To have such an important brand backing WTCC in these difficult times for motorsport is a big boost for all of us, and I am confident that Volvo’s move will have a positive impact on those car manufacturers that have showed interest in joining the championship."

Volvo's managing director Christian Dahl was happy with the Swedish manufacturer’s link up with the Polestar Team which will campaign the C30 saying "We are very happy and proud for this vote of confidence."

"It will be a challenge for us but we have been prepared for this for several years. Our organisation is in place and we have already started the preparation."

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

PHOTO GALLERY // WTCC @ BRANDS HATCH

Last weekend saw the World Touring Car Championship make its 5th visit to the ledgendery Brands Hatch GP circuit for round seven of this years series. ColdTrackDay's associate editor Neil Tozer was in attendence and provides us with just a flavour from the event... [read more]






















For more images from the WTCC's visit to Brands Hatch, click here

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

WTCC // MULLER & PRIAULX VICTORIOUS @ BRANDS HATCH

Race wins in the UK round of this seasons FIA World Touring Car Championship went to Frenchman Yvan Muller and three time world champion Andy Priaulx over the weekend. The Brands Hatch GP circuit played host to the series for the fifth time and saw two fiercely competitive races in glorious weather conditions at the iconic Kent venue.

2008 Champion Muller gave Chevrolet a one two finish from pole in race one with RML team-mate Rob Huff following him home. Completing the podium was current British Touring car champion Colin Turkington who was only making his second 2010 WTCC start in his West Surrey Racing BMW 320si... [read more]

After a spirited fight through the field from 16th to 8th in race one Guernsey's Andy Priaulx once more took victory in race two just as at Zolder in round five. Priaulx inherited the lead from team-mate Augusto Farfus after the Brazilian was involved in a collision with Alain Menu's Chevrolet. Turkington went one better with another great drive to second place ahead of the Seat Leon TDI of current champion Gabriele Tarquini.

Frenchman Muller continues to lead the standings as the series now moves into the second half of the season.

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // BRANDS HATCH WTCC OUTING FOR BOARDMAN

Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship driver Tom Boardman is set to return to the WTCC in a one off drive at the British round of the series. Brands Hatch will see the 26 year old contest the 7th round of the FIA championship around the Kent venue's full GP circuit where Boardman took an emotional Independents victory in race two 12 months ago. Having switched to the BTCC at the beginning of this year the Seat driver will take part at Brands with a petrol powered Seat Leon run by Sunred Engineering // [comment]

WTCC // SEAT & BMW TAKE VICTORIES @ ZOLDER

The FIA World Touring Car Championship made its first ever visit to the Belgium circuit of Zolder this weekend. In front of a raceday crowd of over twenty thousand the two race wins were shared between Seat and BMW. Race one saw current champion Gabriele Tarquini take victory after Sunred Sport Seat team-mate Jordi Gene was excluded for a technical infringement post race. The air restrictor on the Spaniard’s TDI Leon was found to not comply with the regulations thus robbing him of his first victory since Mexico 2008. Completing the podium were the RML Chevrolet's of Yvan Muller and Alain Menu... [read more]

Guernsey's Andy Priaulx made it three wins for the season in the reverse grid race two after fending off the chasing Chevrolet Cruze of Rob Huff and SR-Sport's Tiago Monteiro.

The multiple former champion felt at home at the former F1 circuit but explained that BMW are somewhat struggling for pace over a single lap, "“It was really nice to see so many spectators supporting our team so it felt like a home race for me. It was a similar atmosphere to being at Brands Hatch. Race 1 was much more exciting as after qualifying it was going to be a hard race. I kept attacking Coronel and getting through really was crucial to winning Race 2. I’d love to be able to win Race 1 as well but we just don’t have the pace in qualifying so Race 2 is our only chance of victory at the moment.”

Chevrolet retain their lead in the manufacturers championship while Frenchman and 2008 champion Muller still leads the drivers standings from Tarquini and Priaulx.

Results FIA WTCC Zolder Belgium 19-20th June 2010:

Race One:

1 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon
2 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze
3 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze
4 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI
5 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze
6 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI
7 1 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si
8 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI
9 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si
10 Fredy BARTH SUI SEAT Leon TDI


Race Two:

1 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si
2 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze
3 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI
4 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze
5 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze
6 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon TDI
7 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI
8 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si
9 Sergio HERNANDEZ ESP BMW 320si
10 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI

The series now moves on to Portimão, Portugal, on July 3rd/4th.

Editorial/Photos: Neil Tozer

WTCC // TARQUINI BEATS RAIN TO ZOLDER POLE

Current FIA World Touring Car Champion Gabriele Tarquini took pole position at Zolder today for round of the 2010 series. The amiable Italian recovered from an engine destroying trip through Zolder's 2nd chicane in free practice to claim the top spot for tommorow's first race ahead of team-mate of Jordi Gene. In a qualifying session that was dominated by changeable weather conditions Tarquini stole a march on his rivals, completing his hot lap in Q2 shortly before the circuit was hit by rain... [read more]

“The cold conditions were good for us" commented the Italian. It was good to get a lap at the start of Q2 and fortunately we chose to put new tyres on for our first run and it paid off. My second practice session was cut short as I tried to fly at the second chicane!

The Sunred Seat driver went on to add "I destroyed the flat bottom and the engine was leaking oil. We changed the engine as we had no penalty due to using it for the last three events, so to come out with a pole has been a lucky day for us.”

Two Chevrolet's will occupy the second row of the grid with Switzerland's Alain Menu just edging out 2008 champion Yvan Muller.

Q1 and Q2 Qualifying Results // WTCC @ Zolder - June 19th 2010:

1 1 Gabriele TARQUINI ITA SEAT Leon TDI 1:38.999 1:38.265
2 4 Jordi GENE ESP SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.061 1:38.430
3 8 Alain MENU SUI Chevrolet Cruze 1:38.840 1:38.494
4 6 Yvan MULLER FRA Chevrolet Cruze 1:39.037 1:38.584
5 7 Robert HUFF GBR Chevrolet Cruze 1:39.187 1:38.779
6 5 Norbert MICHELISZ HUN SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.072 1:39.072
7 18 Fredy BARTH SUI SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.151 1:39.173
8 3 Tiago MONTEIRO POR SEAT Leon TDI 1:38.875 1:39.255
9 11 Andy PRIAULX GBR BMW 320si 1:39.030 1:42.856
10 10 Augusto FARFUS BRA BMW 320si 1:39.112 1:52.493
11 2 Tom CORONEL NED SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.456
12 17 Michel NYKJAER DEN SEAT Leon TDI 1:39.472
13 27 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS BEL SEAT Leon 1:39.610
14 20 I Darryl O'YOUNG HKG Chevrolet Lacetti 1:39.824
15 24 I Kristian POULSEN DEN BMW 320si 1:39.863
16 35 Vincent RADERMECKER BEL Chevrolet Cruze 1:40.003
17 15 I Franz ENGSTLER GER BMW 320si 1:40.058
18 25 I Sergio HERNANDEZ ESP BMW 320si 1:40.278
19 26 I Stefano D'ASTE ITA BMW 320si 1:40.287
20 19 I Harry VAULKHARD GBR Chevrolet Lacetti 1:40.395
21 21 I Mehdi BENNANI MAR BMW 320si 1:40.738
22 16 I Andrei ROMANOV RUS BMW 320si 1:42.934

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

(Photo dedicated to the late Richard Tozer 21st June 1935 - 29th July 2009)

WTCC // PRIAULX AND MULLER WIN @ MONZA

Both Andy Priaulx and Yvan Muller took unexpected race victories at Monza yesterday in the third round of this years World Touring Car Championship. The BMW and Chevrolet drivers were handed victory through the misfortune of others as a spate of tyre failures hit Tarquini and Huff in race one and then the Seat of Mickael Nykjaer in race two... [read more]

The opening race had seen Tarquini lead onto the final lap before suffering a front blow-out at the Ascari chicane. With this Robb Huff looked odds on to take the flag with only half a lap to go but amazingly he had the same tyre failure going into the final turn allowing the chasing BMW's of Priaulx and Farfus through to victory. Notably Huff continued to the line and third place albeit on the deflated tyre.

Reverse grid race two saw Nykjaer on pole alongside Tarquini as the lights went out. The former Danish touring car champion took the lead when Tarquini was handed a drive through penalty for a jumped start. After building a comfortable cushion over his rivals heartbreak struck as the Sunred Seat fell foul to yet another front left tyre failure just as the Dane started the last lap. Picking up the pieces was Frenchman Yvan Muller in the Chevrolet Cruze, as the former champion duly accepted the victory and with it a 24 point lead in the championship standings.

Race One Results:

1. Andy Priaulx BMW 18m32.008s
2. Augusto Farfus BMW +0.248
3. Robert Huff Chevrolet +1.653
4. Yvan Muller Chevrolet +1.820
5. Tom Coronel SEAT +2.271
6. Fredy Barth SEAT +2.308
7. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT +2.375
8. Michel Nykjaer SEAT +2.726
9. Tiago Monteiro SEAT +3.243
10. Mehdi Bennani BMW +3.972
11. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet +9.032
12. Stefano D'Aste BMW +10.000
13. Sergio Hernandez BMW +11.575
14. Andrey Romanov BMW +30.320
15. Fabio Fabiani BMW +59.155
16. Jordi Gené SEAT + 1 lap
17. Alain Menu Chevrolet + 1 lap


Race Two Results:

1. Yvan Muller Chevrolet 18m29.805s
2. Tom Coronel SEAT +0.512
3. Rob Huff Chevrolet +0.822
4. Augusto Farfus BMW +1.001
5. Andy Priaulx BMW +1.742
6. Jordi Gene SEAT +3.495
7. Tiago Monteiro SEAT +4.197
8. Norbert Michelisz SEAT +4.580
9. Alain Menu Chevrolet +5.099
10. Leonel Pernia Chevrolet +9.918
11. Stefano D'Aste BMW +11.856
12. Darryl O'Young Chevrolet +13.499
13. Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet +14.368
14. Fredy Barth SEAT +14.506
15. Kristian Poulsen BMW +14.836
16. Sergio Hernandez BMW +15.266
17. Mehdi Bennani BMW +33.557
18. Fabio Fabiani BMW +49.454


Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photos: WTCC

WTCC // FARFUS ON POLE @ MONZA

Augusto Farfus took BMW's first pole of the 2010 WTCC season at Monza today. The Brazilian will share the front row for tomorrows first race with British driver Rob Huff in the RML Chevrolet Cruze who prevented an all RBM BMW front row by displacing Andy Priaulx to the inside of the second row. Swiss Alain Menu took fourth spot ahead of the fastest of the Seat's in the hands of Frenchman Yvan Muller. Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini finished Q2 in seventh place after being fastest in Q1... [read more]

WTCC Round 3 @ Monza // Qualifying Results:

01 Augusto Farfus Jr. BMW 2:00.672
02 Robert Huff Chevrolet +0.025
03 Andy Priaulx BMW +0.135
04 Alain Menu Chevrolet +0.227
05 Yvan Muller Seat +0.406
06 Jordi Gené Seat +0.728
07 Gabriele Tarquini Seat +0.872
08 Norbert Michelisz Seat +1.059
09 Fredy Barth Seat +1.254
10 Tiago Monteiro Seat +1.255

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: WTCC

VIDEO // FARFUS & MENU CLASH @ MARRAKECH

Last weekend's 2nd round of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship saw a controversial incident between Alain Menu and Augusto Farfus. With the pair battling for position into the fastest of Marrakech's artificial chicanes both the Chevrolet and the BMW made heavy contact with the retaining wall. So much so that the temporary circuit boundary can clearly be seen to take a sizeable impact... [read more]

Menu was not slow to condemn the incident explaining "I fight with Farfus, and I managed to overtake him but he hit me in the back, sending me into the wall. Nothing I could do whatsoever".

Farfus's view of the clash differed somewhat, "I ended up getting a touch from Alain Menu and suffered a puncture to my right front tire and breaking the steering of the car, with that I lost control of the car, causing my accident and I was forced to abandon the race" said the Brazilian.

The series moves on to Monza for round three in two weeks time (23rd May).

Video: WTCC
Editorial: Neil Tozer

VIDEO // WTCC CHEVY CRUZE TIME-LAPSE BUILD

The guys at Ray Mallock, Ltd. just released this time-lapse video highlighting the build process of their WTCC Chevy Cruze. Weeks worth of work compressed into a few minutes. Love it... [read more]



Photo: Alemiro Almeida
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PHOTO GALLERY // WTCC @ CURITIBA

Last weekend saw the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) hold its opening round of competition at Brazil's Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba. ColdTrackDays correspondent, Alemiro Almeida, was live at the circuit all weekend and has since provided us with a handful of images from his visit.

Follow the link for a look... [read more]











Photo: Alemiro Almeida
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // MULLER & TARQUINI SHARE THE SPOILS @ CURITIBA

Just as in the opening round of the World Touring Car Championship last season, Curitiba saw a win apiece for Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini.

However there the similarity ends, as Muller was at the wheel of a RML Chevrolet Cruze for the first time along with reigning Champion Tarquini now aboard a privately entered Seat Leon TDI after Seat's official withdrawal at the end of last year... [read more]

Race one saw Muller lead the field away from a safety car start due to heavy rain and the Frenchman was never truly threatened once he had made the first couple of corners his own. The 2008 champion led home a Chevrolet 1-3 with Robb Huff and Alain Menu joining him on the podium. "The race was complicated because at the beginning there was some standing water. Then the track dried out and to be on the wet tyres on a dry track was not easy. After five laps I wanted to save the tyres because I knew it was drying but I was saving a bit too much and when Huff came up behind me I had to wake up.” said Muller.

Fredy Barth took the Rookie Challenge victory after putting a move on Norbert Michelisz on the penultimate lap. While Scuderia Proteam Motorsport’s Sergio Hernández was the top Independent.

Race One Result:

1. Yvan Muller Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze 26mins 57.181secs 16 laps
2. Rob Huff Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze +1.053secs
3. Alain Menu Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze +5.582secs
4. Gabriele Tarquini SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +7.136secs
5. Andy Priaulx BMW Team RBM BMW 320si +11.625secs
6. Augusto Farfus BMW Team RBM BMW 320si +12.098secs
7. Jordi Gene SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +14.379secs
8. Tom Coronel SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +14.647secs
9. Fredy Barth SUNRED Engineering SEAT Leon TDI +18.773secs
10. Norbert Michelisz Zengo-Denison Team SEAT Leon TDI +20.359secs
11. Tiago Monteiro SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +21.691secs
12. Michel Nykjaer SUNRED Engineering SEAT Leon TDI +22.645secs
13. Sergio Hernandez Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si +34.973secs I
14. Franz Engstler Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320si +38.092secs I
15. Darryl O'Young bamboo engineering Chevrolet Lacetti +44.692secs I
16. Harry Vaulkhard bamboo engineering Chevrolet Lacetti +50.005secs I
17. Stefano D'Aste Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si +50.742secs I
18. Mehdi Bennani Wiechers-Sport BMW 320si +1min 20.825secs I

DNF. Andrei Romanov Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320si 5 laps completed I

With the weather surrounding the Brazilian circuit for race two significantly improved it was Tom Coronel who lined up on pole for the reverse grid race two. The Dutchman however made a terrible start and suffered contact with Rob Huff on the run down to the first corner. Gené took over the lead with Tarquini, Huff, Menu and Muller behind. Another making a bad start was Augusto Farfus who made contact with fellow BMW Team RBM racer Andy Priaulx off the start with the latter making it back to the pits but also out of the race due to the front suspension damage. Farfus then ran wide at the Esse de Baixa dropping from his third grid spot down to seventh.

Lap 3 saw Tarquini through past Gene as the pair of TDI's now were able to pull a gap on the chasing Chevrolets of Huff, Menu and Muller. With Huff now begging to lose pace both Menu and Muller demoted the Englishman back to fith place before the flag. The final order across the line was Tarquini from Gené, Menu, Muller, Huff, Farfus, Monteiro, Nykjær and Michelisz.

Sergio Hernández took his second Independents’ victory of the day rounding out the top ten, despite pressure from Franz Engstler in the closing stages. Nykjær’s eighth place finish also gave him the Rookie Challenge win.

Tarquini (above) felt that the SR-Sport Team had already exceeded expectations commenting “We have no team orders so it was a great race.I had a tough time over the winter but in qualifying the car was great . The plan was to get a podium and maybe a win and I did that so it’s a fantastic start to the season.The SR-Sport team have done a fantastic job. I feel really satisfied and this victory is special. Last year I knew I could fight for the title but this year my plan is to score some victories and the first one is here.“

Race Two Result:

1. Gabriele Tarquini SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI 2mins 13.311secs 14 laps
2. Jordi Gene SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +1.276secs
3. Alain Menu Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze +5.407secs
4. Yvan Muller Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze +5.985secs
5. Rob Huff Chevrolet Chevrolet Cruze +8.295secs
6. Augusto Farfus BMW Team RBM BMW 320si +8.596secs
7. Tiago Monteiro SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI +10.419secs
8. Michel Nykjaer SUNRED Engineering SEAT Leon TDI +11.808secs
9. Norbert Michelisz Zengo-Denison Team SEAT Leon TDI +17.576secs
10. Sergio Hernandez Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si +24.244secs I
11. Franz Engstler Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320si +24.643secs I
12. Mehdi Bennani Wiechers-Sport BMW 320si +30.072secs I
13. Harry Vaulkhard bamboo engineering Chevrolet Lacetti +30.923secs I
14. Fredy Barth SUNRED Engineering SEAT Leon TDI +39.780secs
15. Stefano D'Aste Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si +40.328secs I
16. Darryl O'Young bamboo engineering Chevrolet Lacetti +40.481secs I

DNF. Tom Coronel SR-Sport SEAT Leon TDI 1 lap completed
DNF. Andy Priaulx BMW Team RBM BMW 320si 0 laps completed
DNS. Andrei Romanov Liqui Moly Team Engstler BMW 320si Did not start I

The next round of the WTCC is scheduled for May 2nd in Marrakech, Morocco.

Images and Info: WTCC
Editorial: Neil Tozer

WTCC NEWS // MULLER ON POLE @ CURITIBA

Former WTCC champion, Yvan Muller, will be on pole for Race 1 in Curitiba later today, for the second year in succession. In a closely fought session the top seven cars ended within 0.2 seconds of each other.

Chevrolet dominated the session with Alain Menu and Rob Huff being placed third and fourth. Only Jordi Gené in his SEAT León TDI managed to split the team mates by jumping to second with his lap of 1:23.757 in the dying seconds... [read more]

Q1- Rob Huff dominated Q1 smashing the circuit qualifying record of 1:24.196 with his early lap of 1:23.831. Despite being the first driver of the weekend to lap in under 1:24 he continued to push, beating his own time in the final minutes to sail through to Q2 with a time of 1:23.630.

His Chevrolet team mates Alain Menu (1:23.730) and Yvan Muller (1:23.923) also jumped up the order in the final minutes to make it a Chevrolet top three. Augusto Farfus (1:24.006) was the top BMW racer with Norbert Michelisz putting in a great lap in his SEAT León TDI, while in danger of dropping out the top ten, to post the fifth quickest time of 1:24.019.
Tiago Monteiro and Tom Coronel were left to fight for the final spot in Q2 and eventually, with a lap of 1:24.558, the Dutchman kicked his team-mate off by only four thousandths of a second.

Stefano D'Aste’s time of 1:25.153 jumped him ahead of Darryl O’Young to lead the Independents’, claiming the 13th position overall.

Q2- As the top ten drivers headed into the final 10-minute shoot out, Chevrolet was quick to assert their dominance with Muller, Menu and Huff topping the timesheet. As the chequered flag approached a nine-car slipstream of cars headed out on track with only Farfus remaining in the pits. Muller improved to secure his pole position while Gené’s final lap of 1:23.757 claimed a front row start for SR-Sport.

A mistake from the consistently quick newcomer Michelisz meant he ran wide through the Curva da Vitoria hindering his own, Menu’s and Priaulx’s final run, although the Swiss managed to salvage third ahead of team mate Huff. Reigning champion Tarquini claimed fifth ahead of Priaulx and Farfus, a disappointing result after the BMW 320si’s had been setting the pace for most of the weekend.

Danish racer Michel Nykjær posted the eighth quickest time and will start Race 1 tomorrow as the best of the rookies, while Coronel and Michelisz rounded out the top ten.

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Images and Info: WTCC

NEWS // FARFUS TOPS FIRST TEST @ CURITIBA

Local man Augusto Farfus posted the fastest lap during today’s test as the 2010 WTCC season officially got underway at the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba. The Brazilian topped the timesheets in his BMW 320si at the halfway point, before the session was briefly halted when Stefano D’Aste lost the back end of his BMW 320si and ended beached in the gravel at turn four.

In the dying moments of the session, Farfus bettered his earlier time clocking a 1:24.243 to remain on top. His BMW Team RBM team mate Andy Priaulx (1:24.732), who had led the session, ended in third... [read more]

Alain Menu was the fastest of the Chevrolet men, driving his Cruze to the second quickest time with a lap of 1:24.732. Team mates, Yvan Muller (1:24.805) and Rob Huff (1:24.960) finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini was quickest of the SEAT cars, posting a lap time of 1:25.308 to end the day sixth. His SR-Sport team mante Jordi Gené’s session ended early as he suffered problems with the steering box on his SEAT León TDI.
Hungarian youngster Norbert Michelisz was the best of the newcomers, posting an impressive seventh fastest time (1:25.625) and placing ahead of experienced drivers like Tom Coronel and Tiago Monteiro.

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Images and Info: FIA WTCC

NEWS // HUFF SETS HIS SIGHTS ON WTCC TITLE

Rob Huff is aiming to win the FIA World Touring Car Championship for the first time this year, as he enters his sixth consecutive season with the Chevrolet team on the back of a very encouraging winter test programme with the Cruze race car.

Last year Rob scored three of his seven WTCC career race wins in the all-new Cruze, despite only driving it for the first time in dry conditions at the opening round of the series in Brazil. Having enjoyed near perfect dry weather conditions during this year’s pre-season tests in Valencia (Spain) and Portimao (Portugal), Rob is confident that the subtle changes to the car will give him the opportunity to achieve his aim of scoring points at every race meeting this year... [read more]

Consistency will be Rob’s new strategy throughout 2010, as the 30-year old driver from Cambridgeshire aims to become FIA World Touring Car Champion for the first time. His previous best finish in the series is third in 2008.

The 2010 WTCC calendar will see Rob race in five continents and 12 countries over the next nine months. He and the Wellingborough-based RML team, the motorsport preparations experts which run the works team on behalf of Chevrolet, know each circuit well, although changes to this year’s series will see the Cruze race at Monza (Italy) and Zolder (Belgium) for the first time.

The demanding 24 race season starts in Brazil at the beginning of March and ends in Macau at the end of November.

“The aim is to be world champion this year, and with Chevrolet I think it’s the best chance I’ve ever had,” said Rob.

“I believe the Chevrolet Cruze is now the strongest car in the WTCC. We had a good first season with it last year and we’ve had a very good test and development programme over the winter. We’ve not made any big changes to it, but as a team we all understand the car a lot better and we know how to get the most out of it.

“I’ve tested the Cruze at Valencia twice and once at Portimao, and we’ve worked very hard on fine tuning the set-up. At the final pre-season test session at Valencia I did four or five race distance runs, which might be very beneficial when we get to the first race at Brazil.

“We showed last year that the Cruze is phenomenally strong on street circuits, but I think we’ll be strong everywhere this year,” added Rob. That will be important, because our game plan for the season is to try and score points in every race. That’s easier said than done of course, because the opposition this year will be very strong. In fact, I think this will be the toughest season ever.

“Consistency will be key to our championship success. If that means not winning any races in 2010, that doesn’t bother me – all I want to do in 2010 is come home with the title.”

Info: Huff Sport
Photos: Neil Tozer/FIA WTCC

NEWS // WTCC ENTRY LIST RELEASED

The entry list for the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship which will start on March 7th at Curitiba, Brazil, has been released. Twenty competitors are listed with drivers from fifteen countries at the wheel of cars built from three different manufacturers. The list confirms full season entrants only - however there are other entrants planning on competing in selected rounds only... [read more]

WTCC 2010 entry list:

1 Gabriele Tarquini SR Sport SEAT Leon TDi
2 Tom Coronel SR Sport SEAT Leon TDi
3 Tiago Monteiro SR Sport SEAT Leon TDi
4 Jordi Gene SR Sport SEAT Leon TDi
5 Norbert Michelisz Zengo-Dension SEAT Leon TDi
6 Yvan Muller Chevrolet (RML) Chevrolet Cruze
7 Rob Huff Chevrolet (RML) Chevrolet Cruze
8 Alain Menu Chevrolet (RML) Chevrolet Cruze
10 Augusto Farfus BMW (RBM) BMW 320si
11 Andy Priaulx BMW (RBM) BMW 320si
15 Franz Engstler Team Engstler BMW 320si
16 Andrei Romanov Team Engstler BMW 320si
17 Michel Nykjaer SUNRED SEAT Leon TDi
19 Harry Vaulkhard Bamboo Chevrolet Lacetti
20 Darryl O'Young Bamboo Chevrolet Lacetti
21 Mehdi Bennani Wiechers-Sport BMW 320si
23 Marin Colak Colak Racing SEAT Leon
24 Kristian Poulsen Poulsen Motorsport BMW 320si
25 Sergio Hernandez Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si
26 Stefano D'Aste Proteam Motorsport BMW 320si

The newly established SR-Sport, will field a very strong four-car team in the 2010 FIA WTCC.
Thanks to their strong ties with SEAT Sport, the Spanish outfit managed to put together a quartet of SEAT León TDI machines that will be entrusted to the capable hands of former SEAT Sport drivers: the reigning World Champion Gabriele Tarquini (below), the 2009 Independents’ Trophy winner Tom Coronel, Tiago Monteiro and Jordi Gené. Altogether they have claimed 16 WTCC race wins between them.

Team principal Joán Orus said: “I am really enthusiastic to race the SEAT TDI cars, because I think we will be able to fight for the WTCC title with the new team SR-Sport and four great drivers. We will also run Michel Nykjær’s cars under the SUNRED banner and altogether this is a great opportunity to show our potential and future possibilities. I want to say thank you to SEAT Sport’s customer department for their support and to all drivers for placing confidence in our team.”

Spanish driver Sergio Hernández (above) will join Stefano D’Aste at Proteam Motorsport for the new season.
Hernández who spent 2009 as a factory driver at BMW Team Italy-Spain, claiming his first WTCC victory at Brno, returns to the Italian outfit for which he raced in both 2007 and 2008.
During his second year with the team, Hernández managed to win the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy, and together with D’Aste helped Proteam to win the Teams’ Trophy.

Info: WTCC
Images: Neil Tozer

NEWS // TWO CAR TEAM FOR ENGSTLER IN WTCC

The Liqui Moly Team Engstler will contest their third season in the FIA World Touring Car Championship this season and again will field two BMW 320si's. Team boss Franz Engstler and Russian driver Andrei Romanov will be reunited as team-mates following their partnership for the team in 2008... [read more]

Romanov, makes his comeback to the team after spending last year racing in the German ADAC Procar series at the wheel of a Chevrolet Lacetti.

"Andrei has always had ambitions, now we can benefit from his 2008 experience and get together as a strong team into the championship," said Franz Engstler who last year finished third in the WTCC Independents’ Trophy and second in the FIA European Touring Car Cup.

The team also have plans to possibly expand to running a third BMW for Macanese driver Henry Ho later in the season.

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

WTCC NEWS // CORONEL SWITCHES TO DIESEL POWER

2009 FIA WTCC Independents’ Trophy winner Tom Coronel will switch to a SEAT León TDI for the new season. After four years at the wheel of petrol-powered SEAT León cars, the 37-year-old Dutchman announced earlier this week that he will drive a turbodiesel machine run by SUNRED Engineering... [read more]

"I always said I wanted to have a diesel car. At last I managed to get one. With this car we can fight for podium places on a regular basis," said Coronel.

2010 will also mark his third season with the Spanish team. "We have developed a great relationship. Of course they have close ties with SEAT Sport and their workshop is just around the corner. Therefore we have the opportunity to benefit from full technical support. With this package I have better chances than ever to score. I can't wait for the season to start!" Coronel concluded.

Info: FIA WTCC
Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer

NEWS // BAMBOO ENGINEERING STEP UP TO WTCC

UK-based Bamboo Engineering have today announced a two car assault on the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship. The team, who spent last season competing in the British Touring Car Championship, will field two Chevrolet Lacetti's for drivers Harry Vaulkhard and Darryl O’Young... [read more]

O’Young, a 29 year old from Macau, won the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2006 and 2008, said: "To be competing in a FIA World Championship has been one of my targets for many years now, so to be able to enter the WTCC is an amazing opportunity!"

Harry Vaulkhard, 24 from Newcastle UK, has been competing in the BTCC for the last two seasons, after winning the Seat Cupra Cup in 2007. “The WTCC is where I've always aspired to be some day but to be honest this has come sooner than I expected. I have learnt so much in 2009, I am really confident I can get some great results in 2010,” he declared. Vaulkhard had an encouraging run in the European Touring Car Cup at Braga at the back end of last season and proved he could mix it with the likes of James Thompson and Michael Nykjaer.

Team manager Richard Coleman enthused “We have a great driver line up: Harry showed last year in the BTCC and the ETCC what he can achieve. Darryl is a huge talent and once adapted to front wheel drive I expect him to be a regular podium contender in the Independents’ Trophy.”

Chevrolet Motorsport boss Eric Nève commented: “This is the first time we see Chevrolet cars competing full-time in the Independents’ Trophy, and we warmly welcome this development, as it demonstrates the level of confidence that top independent teams have on our products and racing services. We will follow closely the bamboo campaign and wish them all the best.”

Photo/Editorial: Neil Tozer