NEWS ARCHIVE
The WTCC rounds in Zolder will be the first FIA races in which gamers worldwide, sitting behind their own PC, will be able to race live against the real drivers using iOpener enabled technology. After months of preparation and testing of the systems in practice and regional races, the iOpener enabled technology will be used for the first time live in an official FIA event.
Monroe, the suspension leader, is Title Sponsor of the FIA WTCC Race of Belgium, that takes place this weekend at Zolder. In 2010, Monroe has intensified its commitment as the "Official suspension Partner" of the series and launched the "Monroe Performer" Trophy to reward the drivers who post the fastest lap times. At Zolder, Monroe reinforces its sponsorship status in WTCC being the Event Presenting Partner of the FIA WTCC Monroe Race of Belgium".
The 7th and 8th rounds of the 2010 FIA WTCC will take place at Zolder this week. This event marks the championship’s first visit to the 4-km racetrack, that was home to the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix between 1973 and 1982. It will also be the WTCC’s return to Belgium after its only visit, in 2005 at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Chevrolet Cruze and the SEAT León TDI remain the heaviest cars of the field. Like in the previous event at Monza, in Zolder they will again carry the maximum compensation weight of 40 kilos. The compensation weight has been determined by the lap times set in Brazil, Morocco and Italy. According to this calculation, the León TDI emerged as the fastest car, one tenth faster than the Cruze and half-a-second faster than the BMW 320si. The German cars have been imposed 20 extra kilos for Zolder.
Reigning World Champion Gabriele Tarquini has signed for Argentine top team Equipo Petrobras to take part in the Buenos Aires 200KM, the 11th round of the TC2000 championship that will take place on November 7th. Tarquini will share a Honda Civic car with Argentine raising star José María López, winner of two back to back TC2000 titles in 2008 and 2009.
WTCC drivers are used to sprint races. However, sometimes they take also part in long distance competitions. After Chevrolet’s Rob Huff and Vincent Radermecker claimed an outstanding second place in the 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, this weekend Augusto Farfus, Andy Priaulx and Tom Coronel will compete in the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the Dutchman joined the Spyker Squadron, Farfus and Priaulx are at the wheel of BMW M3 works cars.
It may seem strange to see a WTCC car on the starting grid at Le Mans before the famous 24 Hours. However here it is, the Chevrolet Cruze alongside the powerful Chevrolet Corvette C6R GT2 that will take part this weekend in the French long distance race. On the eve of the battle, the Corvette received on the French track the well-wishing visit of her WTCC cousin, the current leader in both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ championships.
Rounds 9 and 10 of the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship will take place at Portimão, Portugal, 3rd and 4th July. The deadline to apply for media credentials is Tuesday, 22nd June. Please be reminded that media passes issued by National Sporting Authorities and/or any other series (except the FIA Formula 2 permanent media passes) will NOT be valid.
Chevrolet’s WTCC drivers Rob Huff and Vincent Radermecker came close to a surprise victory in the 12 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, round of the Belgian Touring Car Series. Teaming with Eric van de Poele in a Volvo S60 silhouette, they led the race until a late safety car period bunched up the field, and put the KS Motorsport BMW, which had qualified on pole, in the best position for a last minute attack. Ruben Maes in the BMW overtook van de Poele on the penultimate lap, in a dramatic end.
