Monza: Series pre-race notes

A FIELD OF 30 CARS TO RACE IN MONZA

A strong 30-car field at Monza will mark a new season record for the

World Touring Car Championship. With the latest additions of three Japanese drivers - Manaubu Orido, Takayuki Aoki and Yukinori Taniguchi - the participation of Duarte Felix da Costa, winner of the SEAT Eurocup at Oschersleben, and Kristian Poulsen's return, the championship has reached the respectable number of thirty drivers at the wheel of cars built by five different manufacturers: BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, LADA and SEAT.

The championship began the season with 21 cars for the two American meetings in Brazil and Mexico, but the field has grown up quickly from the start of the European season, up to the previous record: 29 cars in Oschersleben.

The season average so far is 25.7 competitors per event.

CHEVROLET RETAIN DRIVERS FOR 2009

The Chevrolet team will retain the same line up for the next season. They have re-signed the same three drivers - Robert Huff, Nicola Larini and Alain Menu - who have been with the team since the beginning of the World Touring Car programme. Altogether they have collected 12 victories, 24 podium results and 7 pole positions in the championship so far for Chevrolet.

"It is good to be able to announce our drivers for 2009 at this early stage. It shows the confidence we have in their abilities and they have in our engineering strength. In 2009 we will run a new car and it is good to have stability on the drivers' side. Their experience with the Chevrolet Lacetti will allow us to hit the ground running when we start to prepare for the new season," Chevrolet Morotsport manager Eric Nève said.

TARQUINI WINS GOLF TOURNAMENT

Gabriele Tarquini proved that he had fully recovered from his dramatic crash in Imola by claiming a dominant victory in the first round of the Green Golf Tour promoted by Eurosport Events. Tarquini and his friend Marco Di Carlo emerged as the winners in the 3rd Category of the 36-hole Stableford golf tournament that took place Saturday and Sunday at the San Valentino golf club in Castellarano, Italy.

At the end of the tournament Tarquini received the trophy from the hands of Alessandro Zanardi who made a guest appearance.

V-WTCC TO BE DECIDED IN MONZA

After five months of competition, the Virtual WTCC will come to an end during the WTCC event in Monza this weekend. Sixteen competitors coming from seven European countries will fight each other on Saturday in two exciting races at the RaceRoom Game Park located inside the paddock, until only the best remains.

The winner will be rewarded with a Chevrolet HHR car. A real one, not virtual.

GT TEAM LAUNCH PRO-ROMANIA CAMPAIGN

Scuderia Playteam Sarafree, a regular competitor in the International GT Open, will show their support to the campaign "Romania, the pleasure to know you" in Monza.

The initiative will be presented tomorrow, at 11.45, during a press conference that will be attended by Romanian actress Ramona Badescu, who patronizes and supports the project,

COUNTDOWN: - 2 DAYS

-credit: fiawtcc.com