Oschersleben: Yokohama preview

WET WEATHER? NO PROBLEM FOR YOKOHAMA

After the summer break, the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will resume in Oschersleben, Germany, for rounds 17 and 18 on 6 September 2009. Due to its unpredictable weather conditions, the German circuit can present a strategic challenge for teams and drivers, but with the support and consistency of tyre supplier YOKOHAMA, competitors have a footing that they can trust.

Oschersleben is one of the most technically demanding tracks on the WTCC calendar, with a tight chicane at the end of the start/finish straight and a very quick double left-hander going into a hairpin, which can unstable the car. A smooth driving style is best suited to the circuit, so expect drivers such as 2008 Champion Yvan Muller and Chevrolet's Alain Menu to achieve good results.

With changeable weather predicted, YOKOHAMA, which has supplied the WTCC since 2006, will be trackside and equipped with tyres for wet and dry conditions to suit the competitors needs.

YOKOHAMA's Technical Consultant, Ian Beveridge, commented, "Obviously, driving in the rain means that there is intrinsically less grip, but we have developed the wet YOKOHAMA ADVAN so that it has the same characteristics as the slick tyre. Competitors do not need to change their driving style, but simply be aware of the decreased grip and act accordingly."

Oschersleben is BMW's home track, and local driver Joerg Mueller is another likely front-runner. He added: "At such a demanding track the tyres play a very important role, especially if the weather conditions change quickly and the tyres have to react to the asphalt conditions."

"The tyres are very good. I think YOKOHAMA did a great job to supply tyres which suit both rear-wheel and front-wheel drive cars," continued the German driver. "I am sure that the tyres will react very well at Oschersleben, as they have done for all the others rounds so far this season."

The YOKOHAMA-equipped International Formula Master series (IFM) will support the WTCC at Oschersleben for the penultimate IFM race weekend of the 2009 season, after competing at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, alongside the Formula One World Championship on 29-30 August 2009.

After Oschersleben, the WTCC will travel to Imola, Italy, for rounds 19 and 20, before continuing to Japan and Macau for the last four rounds of the season.

Live coverage from Oschersleben will be broadcast on Eurosport, beginning with WTCC qualifying at 14:00 (CET) on 5 September. Coverage will continue on Sunday 6 September with live warm-up at 08:15 (CET) followed by race one at 11:50 (CET) and race two at 14:05 (CET).

-credit: yokohama