NEWS ARCHIVE
The field of BMW Independent drivers in Monza will count on two additional competitors: Kristian Poulsen and Fabio Fabiani. The 34-year old Dane will start in Italy his WTCC campaign that will last for the rest of the season; ; he will be at the wheel of a BMW 320si car run by his own team Poulsen Motorsport. Fabiani, 35 from Italy, will drive Proteam Motorsport’s third BMW 320si car.
On the occasion of the WTCC Race of Morocco last weekend, the FIA World Touring Car Championship decided to support the charity association L’Heure Joyeuse in its action against the social exclusion. The WTCC brought its contribution to the Opération-Vélo which aims to collect funds to offer bikes to the most destitute children in order to ease them the access to school. So far, the association L’Heure Joyeuse has collected enough donations to supply 107 bicycles to Moroccan children.
Belgian driver Pierre-Yves Corthals, who was a WTCC regular in 2007 and 2008, will make a one off return to the FIA World Championship on the occasion of his home event at Zolder on June 20th. Like in 2007 and 2008, Corthals will be driving a petrol-powered SEAT León car run by Luc Marchetti’s Exagon Racing and backed by SEAT Belgique.
Swiss driver Fredy Barth has clearly emerged as the fastest of the competitors in the new WTCC Rookie Challenge after the first two events in Curitiba and Marrakech. Not only has Barth claimed three victories out of four races, but he was also consistent in scoring overall points and lies a brilliant ninth in the Drivers’ Championship. At Marrakech Barth was especially effective in the first race, setting the overall fastest lap and being classified immediately behind the podium finishers.
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.
