NEWS ARCHIVE

Franz Engstler and local hero Mehdi Bennani shared victories in the WTCC Independents’ Trophy at Marrakech, just like they did in 2009. The only difference was that they swapped races: Engstler won Race 1 and Bennani Race 2. With a win and a third place in Morocco, the German driver and his BMW 320si took the lead in the standings with 34 points, three ahead of Proteam Motorsport’s Sergio Hernández who failed to score in the second race after being involved in the pile up at the start.

Gabriele Tarquini and Andy Priaulx shared victories today in Marrakech, coming home safe after two races that were spoiled by a number of crashes and safety car periods. SEAT Customers Technology took the lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship, while Tarquini’s win and sixth position propelled him on top of the Drivers’ Championship with 70 points from Muller (63) and Huff (46). The championship will resume for rounds 5 and 6 at Monza, Italy, on May 23rd.

Andy PRIAULX: “It was really tough and we didn’t expect this coming into the weekend. It’s a great result as the team have worked really hard since Brazil. I’m just glad I past Menu in Race 1 as this gave me the pole for Race 2. It’s disappointing for the fans and viewers that we didn’t get more time racing though. But even with just two racing laps it was hard work.”

BMW Team RBM’s Andy Priaulx won a chaotic Race 2 ahead of Yvan Muller, in the only Chevrolet to reach the chequered flag, and Tom Coronel in his SEAT León TDI. With two big accidents on the street circuit of Marrakech, the race had two safety car interruptions but resumed racing for a last lap dash to the flag. Priaulx made a good getaway from pole position as the drama unfolded behind him before the pack had even reached the first chicane.

Gabriele Tarquini eased to victory in Race 1 on the streets on Marrakech this afternoon, ahead of Rob Huff and Tiago Monteiro, as the first race of the day ended under safety car conditions. After three formation laps as the drivers got into position, Tarquini controlled the rolling start to lead the pack through the first chicane. Michel Nykjær and Jordi Gené battled for third running alongside each other through the first chicane and forcing each other wide.

Warm up went without incident this morning as the WTCC drivers took to the track for a 15-minute session ahead of this afternoon’s races in Morocco. A trio of SEAT León TDI cars were fastest in the session with Tom Coronel posting the quickest time of the morning with a lap of 1:46.125. His SR-Sport team mates, Tiago Monteiro (1:46.144) and Jordi Gené (1:46.443) were second and third respecitively. BMW Team RBM also made up some ground with Augusto Farfus recording the fourth quickest time.

FIA President Jean Todt paid a visit to Marrakech’s circuit on Saturday and Sunday. Todt spent time with Marcello Lotti, promoter of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, and representatives of the Fédération Royale Morocaine de Sport Automobile. He was then shown around the racetrack and its facilities and took a walk along the pit lane to meet WTCC teams and drivers. He finally joined the drivers for a family picture in support of the United Nations’ Make Roads Safe campaign.

The World Touring Car Championship held a number of events today, to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, prior to the start of the Marrakech round of the championship. Drivers from the championship participated in a Make Roads Safe photo call with FIA President Jean Todt. The photo call forms part of a wide range of initiatives by the championship, such as the branding of its safety car which has been running this season with liveries displaying the Make Roads Safe brand.

Gabriele TARQUINI: “I don’t know why we are so far ahead. I am very happy with the car, it’s easy to drive and I surprised myself as I can push a lot. I saw I had a gap so was able to save my tyres as the lap time was there. The configuration here is much better for us than last year. If the conditions don’t change, I feel very optimistic for tomorrow.”