Series newsletter 2010-01-15

MULLER'S FIRST TEST WITH CHEVROLET 2008 FIA WTCC champion Yvan Muller made his first appearance behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Cruze earlier this week, at Valencia's Circuito Ricardo Tormo.

The Chevrolet WTCC team successfully completed the two-day testing session held on Monday and Tuesday. Despite Spain being hit by bad weather, conditions were excellent for testing on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Yvan Muller and Rob Huff carried out an intense programme, aimed at testing different balance solutions and optimizing set-ups.

Chevrolet's new recruit Yvan Muller, proved he is already perfectly integrated in his new team and completely at ease with the Cruze, despite having discovered the car only very recently.

"I am still discovering the Cruze but can already tell it is a car with an excellent basis and a good potential for further growth. The team looks extremely professional and I am very pleased with the way we are working here in Valencia," Muller commented.

Chevrolet will be testing again next week, on 20th and 21st January, at Portimao, where Alain Menu and Yvan Muller will be sharing driving duties.

SEAT TO SUPPORT CUSTOMER TEAMS

SEAT Sport will not take part in the 2010 FIA WTCC; however the Spanish car manufacturer announced that SEAT Sport will give maximum support to the drivers who will be competing in the Leon TDI and the fuel-powered Leon FSI cars.

Jaime Puig, SEAT Sport Director explained: "After achieving all possible successes in the WTCC, we are now going to focus all our efforts on customer sports in different championships, such as the WTCC. We are always eager to win when a SEAT is on the track and to do so, SEAT Sport will provide all of our customers with the necessary technical support."

Dominik Hoberg, SEAT Communications Director, added: "SEAT will continue with a noteworthy presence in motor sports in 2010, with a team of highly qualified professionals of which we are particularly proud of, but the company will have a different approach as regards to its motor sports activity. The presence of our cars in different championships and countries will continue to be a major value to strengthen our brand image."

MICHEL NYKJAER TO RACE FOR SUNRED

Reigning Danish Touring Car champion Michel Nykjaer will take part in the 2010 FIA WTCC at the wheel of a SEAT Leon run by SUNRED Engineering.

During the latest seasons the 30-year old Dane emerged as one of the most successful touring car drivers in Europe, clinching two Danish Touring Car titles (2007 and 2009) and twice winning the FIA European Touring Car Cup (2007 and 2008) in SEAT Leon and Chevrolet Lacetti cars.

Nykjaer, who is sponsored by Pole Position Denmark and Valvoline International, has recently driven the SUNRED car in a private test, with excellent results.

"The SEAT Leon is a fantastic car. SUNRED and SEAT Sport have very close relationships and I am confident that they can help me to reach the very top. My goal is to win the Independents' Trophy in 2010, which I consider possible in spite of the tough competition," Nykjaer said.

D'ASTE RETURNS TO PROTEAM

Stefano D'Aste will return to Proteam Motorsport for the 2010 FIA WTCC season. The Italian driver previously raced for the team directed by Valmiro Presenzini Mattoli in 2005, 2006 and 2008, but spent the 2007 and 2009 seasons with Wiechers-Sport.

"I am very pleased with our agreement. With D'Aste back in the team we can look at the next season with high expectations," said Presenzini.

"I am really happy I have received this offer from Proteam. We have managed to find a deal and we have the same goal: achieving the best possible results without wasting money," D'Aste stated.

The team is currently negotiating to sign their second driver, whose name will be unveiled soon.

HELPING ANDRE COUTO'S CHILD

Macau racing driver Andre Couto, a regular competitor in the FIA WTCC event at Macau, needs your help.

Andre's six-year-old son, Afonso, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant.

There is a list of clinics worldwide where you may go to see if you are a match here:

www.bmdw.org/index.php?id=addresses_members&no_cache=1

If you are already registered, then please pass this message on to your friends and contacts.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

COUNTDOWN: - 51 DAYS to the 2010 FIA WTCC Race of Brazil - 6th / 7th March, in Curitiba

-source: wtcc