Open Telefonica Catalunya preview

The Road To Formula One Visits Barcelona
Montagny And Scheckter: Face To Face

The seventh meeting of the Open Telefonica Series will take place at the Circuit of Catalunya the next 29th and 30th of September. The International Single Seater Series that made possible the step of Marc Gené and Fernando Alonso into Formula One, Entry is free for all spectactors (invitations are distributed in all the Telefonica shops and Nissan concessionaires). After four years of Championship, and for the very first time, it is pretty sure now that Title will go to a no-spanish driver.

Barcelona, 21 September - Over 45,000 people are expected in Barcelona for the seventh meeting, prior to the Big Final in Valencia ( 28 th October). 22 Single Seaters engined by Nissan (SR 20,250HP), 22 drivers representing 7 different nations (Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Southafrica, Argentina and Venezuela).

Franck Montagny (Epsilon by Graff) is the current leader of the Series. The Frenchman has achieved seven victories, beating the record of wins in the same season hold by Alonso (6, 1999). Second in the overall is the oldest son of Jody Schckter, Tomas. Behind is the Italian Andrea Belicchi, who is participating for the third time. Also well placed in the Series are the two Portuguese drivers from Fama Racing, Manuel Giao and Paulo Ahlo.

GP CIRCUIT, OPEN PADDOCK, LIVE TV COVERAGE

Both Races on Sunday (11h40-13h40 local time) will take place shown LIVE in TELEVISION ESPAÑOLA (LA 2). Two Qualifying sessions on Saturday will conform the grids, as usual. But the excitement will arrive with the full range of Paddcok activities organized by TELEFONICA, REPSOL-YPF and NISSAN. The nippon manufacturer will have on exposure the new X-TRAIL, among other activities. F-1 Simulators, pocket bikes, go-karts, dance performance^Ê.a live Paddock for all the Family.

Among the 22 drivers, two Spaniards will make his debut, 20 year-old Fernando Navarrete (Repsol YPF Meycom) and 24 year old Antonio Orol (Skualo Competición). Navarrete, alongside Sarandeses, Burgueño and Ordoñez is one of the most promising spanish drivers. Drivers are to race in the GP Circuit for the first time in the Series. Complete information and photos: http://www.opentelefonica.com

-RPM Comunicación