WTCC

Series newsletter 2009-09-25

JAPANESE EVENT TO BE LAUNCHED IN TOKYO The WTCC Race of Japan, that will take place at Okayama International Circuit on November 1st will be launched next Tuesday, September 29th, at 11.30 am during a press conference at the French Embassy in ...

Edited: Oct 8, 2009, 2:29 AM

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JAPANESE EVENT TO BE LAUNCHED IN TOKYO

The WTCC Race of Japan, that will take place at Okayama International Circuit on November 1st will be launched next Tuesday, September 29th, at 11.30 am during a press conference at the French Embassy in Tokyo. This race meeting will mark the return of the FIA World Touring Car Championship to Japan after last year's successful maiden visit to Okayama, and will also feature for the first time a round of the Asian Le Mans Series within a WTCC event.

The provisional entry list will be unveiled during the press conference that will be attended by Marcello Lotti, General Manager of KSO, WTCC promoter, Daniel Poissenot, advisor to the ACO President and ALMS Race Director, and Yojiro Terada, President of ACO Japan.

LADA'S GREAT ITALIAN WEEKEND

Imola marked an historical moment for the LADA Sport team, as James Thompson scored the Russian manufacturers' first WTCC points. In the first race the Briton took advantage of the pile up at the start and defended his sixth position from D'Aste, Hernandez, Menu and Porteiro. In the Race 2 he overtook Hernandez for fifth - just behind the leading group - before being demoted by Gene to sixth again.

But besides the two results, the pace of his LADA Priora car was stunning. Placed in the middle of the field for the practice and qualifying sessions, Thompson clocked competitive laps throughout the two races. The progress of the Russian car was confirmed by Jaap van Lagen's performance in Race 1; the Dutchman was lying tenth in Race 1 before rolling of the track after a collision with only three laps to go.

"It's been a great weekend for Lada on a circuit that I love, and this pair of results definitely shows that we are making progress. The car seems to be getting better and better. We've got to be realistic as there is still plenty to do, but this is certainly a sign that we are heading in the right direction," said Thompson.

Team Principal Viktor Shapovalov echoed: "Not only have we scored our first points, in both races, but we have also improved our pace to the point where we can really compete with our rivals. We can be very proud of everything we have achieved so far. I would like to thank our drivers and all our team members for doing such a great job."

MULLER AND PRIAULX AT PETIT LE MANS

This weekend Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx are set to take part in the Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta, at the wheel of two BMW M3 GT2 cars for the Rahal Letterman team.

Priaulx, who makes his first appearance at the Petit Le Mans, shares his car with Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand, while Muller will make shifts with Dirk Muller (his former team-mate in ETCC and WTCC) and Tommy Milner. The two BMW cars have clocked the fastest times in the GT2 class during today qualifying session. The Mullers and Milner (1:20.393) will start from 13th spot of the overall grid, alongside the sister M3 of Priaulx-Auberlen-Hand (1:20.463) and ahead of a bunch of Ferrari, Corvette and Porsche cars.

TARQUINI WINS GOLF TOURNAMENT

Gabriele Tarquini is in a great shape. Two days after winning the first race in Imola and stretching his WTCC championship lead, the SEAT Sport driver has claimed another success in the second edition of the Green Golf Tour promoted by Eurosport Events.

Just like in 2008 Tarquini emerged as the winner in the 3rd Category of the 36-hole Stableford golf tournament that took place Monday and Tuesday at the San Valentino golf club in Castellarano, Italy.

WTCC chief timekeeper Mike Salmon, of MST, won the 2nd category, WTCC team coordinator Nunzia Corvino claimed victory in the Ladies Trophy, while Glen Valente, marketing director of HSBC Latin America topped the overall classification and was awarded with the WTCC World Amateur Cup.

COUNTDOWN: - 36 DAYS to the 2009 FIA WTCC Race of Japan - 31st October / 1st November, in Okayama

-credit: wtcc

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