WTCC
Series newsletter 2009-10-02
PETROL SEAT CARS TO ADD 20 KILOS The fastest cars will stay on the maximum compensation weight for the last but one event of the season in Japan. Like in Oschersleben and Imola before, the BMW 320si and the SEAT Leon TDI will carry 40 kg of ...
Edited: Oct 8, 2009, 2:27 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
PETROL SEAT CARS TO ADD 20 KILOS
The fastest cars will stay on the maximum compensation weight for the last but one event of the season in Japan. Like in Oschersleben and Imola before, the BMW 320si and the SEAT Leon TDI will carry 40 kg of ballast at Okayama. According to the calculation that took into account the lap times set in the three previous events (Brands Hatch, Oschersleben and Imola) these two models share the "honour" of being the reference car.
The Chevrolet Cruze remains on +30kg, while Alessandro Zanardi's BMW 320si (equipped with a sequential gearbox) and the LADA Priora will have again 20kg deducted from the minimum weight. On the contrary, because of the excellent performances recently posted by Coronel, Boardman, Bennani and Colak, the petrol-powered SEAT Leon cars have lost the right to deduct 20 kilos and will be forced to run on the minimum weight.
Compensation weights Okayama
+ 40 kg BMW 320si, SEAT Leon TDI
+ 30 kg Chevrolet Cruze LT
= 0 kg SEAT Leon TFSI
- 20 kg BMW 320si Zanardi, LADA Priora
PORTUGUESE TEST FOR MENU AND THE CRUZE
While the WTCC cars are traveling to Asia by sea for the final two events of the 2009 season, the Chevrolet team continued their test and development programme of the Cruze. Following the tests in Zolder with Nicola Larini and Magny-Cours with Robert Huff earlier this summer, the Cruze ran this week at Portimao's Autodromo do Algarve for a three-day session, with Alain Menu at the wheel.
The work in Portimao was focused on testing different set-up and suspension solutions. The test went well with no hiccups at all, except for some rain showers that reduced activity on Tuesday. This test was also very useful for the team to build a first set of data about the demanding new circuit, which will host WTCC's Portuguese event next year.
TEAM ENGSTLER TEST ASIAN DRIVERS
The Liqui Moly Team Engstler completed a test in Hockenheim with three Asian drivers. Alongside their regular WTCC entries - team principal Franz Engstler and Kristian Poulsen - the German team will field two additional cars in Japan and three in Macau.
Masaki Kano from Japan and Henry Ho from Macau will race at Okayama, while Ho will be joined by his fellow countrymen Lic Ka Liu and Jo Rosa Merszei in Macau.
Kano, Ho and Lic had the opportunity to test the BMW car in Hockenheim, taking advantage of Engstler's advice. Kano, who had raced for the team in last year's WTCC events at Okayama and Macau, knew the racetrack already and clocked good lap times. Ho and Lic started testing at the wheel of BMW 320i E46 cars, before switching to the new E90 models.
The Asian programme means a huge effort for the team that shipped five cars to Japan and will fly a crew of 25 people.
COUNTDOWN: - 29 DAYS to the 2009 FIA WTCC Race of Japan - 31st October / 1st November, in Okayama
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Japanese GP: BMW Sauber Friday practice report
Next article Japanese GP: Qualifying times
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alain Menu
The ultimate title fight to be staged in the Emirates
TCR
TCR
Dubai
The ultimate title fight to be staged in the Emirates
Rob Huff claims pole ahead of teammate Vernay
TCR
TCR
Zhejiang
Rob Huff claims pole ahead of teammate Vernay
Tarquini and Menu to give Hyundai TCR debut
TCR
TCR
Tarquini and Menu to give Hyundai TCR debut
Latest news
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
1 h
Max Verstappen slams “unacceptable” bumps at Austin F1 track: “It's out of control”
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli ready to "finish the job" as first F1 title chance beckons at US GP
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
2 h
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
2 h
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe