ROAL Motorsport returns for 2011

ROAL Motorsport and Tom Coronel in the FIA WTCC 2011

After only one year of absence, ROAL Motorsport will be competing again in the FIA WTCC 2011, a series whereby the team continuously raced since the opening season in 2005 until 2009 obtaining more than 300 points. Thanks to the transformation kit (engine, gearbox and transmission) developed by BMW Motorsport and provided to customer teams, ROAL Motorsport will line up a BMW 320TC powered by the new 1.6 litres turbo engine developed according to the new specs contained in the FIA WTCC 2011 technical regulations. The car will be driven by the Dutch driver Tom Coronel, already winner of the Independents' Trophy in 2009 and 2006.

Roberto Ravaglia (Team Principal) :
"The comeback in FIA WTCC, alongside the commitment in the Superstars Series, will constitute a rich sportive programme that makes ROAL Motorsport the only team present in both the two most important touring car international championships. Lately, we worked hard on the organization of all human and technical resources within the team to guarantee the maximum autonomy to both activities and the contribution of a fast and well experienced driver like Tom Coronel will be a further added value for the team. The technical package devised by BMW Motorsport is certainly interesting and I believe it will allow customer teams to aim at high level results".

Tom Coronel:
"I have the feeling that I won the Italian lottery and hit the jackpot! It is so great to work with the ROAL team and especially with Roberto Ravaglia. I even raced with him in the early nineties. I have known ROAL for many years now, first in ETCC and later in WTCC, this is a race winning team! What also helps is that Roberto raced himself and does have a lot of experience as a racing driver and now as a team owner. This improves the communication, understanding and technical knowhow within the team. The most important thing after that is the Italian racing blood, which is unique and an experience in itself".