TouringCarTimes

BTCC : First pics: WSR BMW 125i testing at Brands Hatch [updated]

TouringCarTimes — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:20:19 +0100

The BMW 125i NGTC has made its first public appearance at Brands Hatch today as West Surrey Racing completes their first shakedown with the new car.

"We are looking forward to the testing sessions for our new eBay Motors BMW 125i prior to the Dunlop MSA BTCC season commencing and particularly excited about unveiling the new car livery at the launch event on the 13th March. Well done to the lads at WSR for another all-nighter to get the car ready," said Dick Bennetts, Team Manager of WSR.

Colin Turkington and Nick Foster were driving the car during the shakedown. The team is going to field three BMWs in the British Touring Car Championship this year for Turkington, Foster and Rob Collard.

Also present at Brands Hatch today is RML and Motorbase with drivers Tom Chilton (WTCC) and Liam Griffin (BTCC), among others.

WTCC : Bamboo Engineering show their 2013 colours

Neil Hudson — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:07:55 +0100

Bamboo Engineering have revealed the livery with which they'll compete in the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship, which will also be used in the GP3 Series as the team enters that Championship for the first time.

The Silverstone-based squad's Chevrolet Cruzes will now be white, blue and black, featuring a host of new sponsors, some moving to the team with new signing James Nash.

The team has an all British driver line-up this season, with Alex MacDowall remaining with the team for what will also be his second season in the WTCC.

"Seeing the livery go on is really satisfying," said Team Principal Richard Coleman. "The final pieces are falling into place on what is set to be a really strong season for Bamboo. With a great driver line-up, we feel more organised than ever and Im quietly confident that well perform."

The team will test today at Rockingham ahead of the season opener at Monza in just over two weeks' time.

WTCC : Alain Menu to contest the 2013 Porsche Supercup

Neil Hudson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:31:12 +0100

Alain Menu has confirmed he will contest the F1 supporting Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup this year, leaving the WTCC after eight years in the Championship.

The 49-year-old Swiss is coming off of his most successful season in the WTCC, taking six victories and finishing second in the drivers' table in the Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T.

With no works drives available after Chevrolet's withdrawal and a limited number of opportunities in Championship winning teams available, Menu has instead made the jump to the Porsche Supercup.

The two-time BTCC champion last drove a Porsche competitively in 2004, in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Oulton Park, taking pole position and victory in both races.

WTCC : Fredy Barth joins Wiechers-Sport

TouringCarTimes — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:15:10 +0100

Fredy Barth has joined Wiechers-Sport for the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship season. "After last year's successful comeback in the season finale at Macau, I am more than happy of having the possibility to take part in the full season again," said Barth.

The Swiss is going to drive a BMW 320 TC for the team and he got his first run in the car at Slovakia Ring earlier this week.
"I am convinced that with the BMW and Wiechers-Sport we have the right package to successfully challenge not only for points, but for race victories," said Barth.

The 33-year-old has driven SEATs since 2004 in various championships, last year doing selected races of the WTCC for SEAT Swiss Racing. 2013 will be his first year behind the wheel of a BMW.
"I am delighted that Fredy will be driving for us. We warmly welcome Fredy and his partners and look forward to working together with them. We are facing a new and exciting season and I'm sure that, once Fredy has got to know the BMW, he will be very competitive!" said Team Manager Dominik Greiner.

Due to Barth's preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the Swiss is going to miss the WTCC races in Brazil and Portugal. Wiechers-Sport are in negotiations with other drivers for those two races.

STCC : STCC considers split with Swedish Motorsport Federation

Rob Veltman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:10:10 +0100

The STCC organisation is considering to split up with the Swedish Automobile Sports Federation (SBF) ahead of this season after a long dispute. "Currently we are assuming to run things on our own," said STCC Managing Director to vf.se.

The dispute between SBF and STCC is over the fee STCC is required to pay SBF in order to have the official Swedish Championship status. SBF requires one million Swedish kronor for this year, STCC does not want to pay more than 500.000 kronor.
"We are not willing to pay as much as we have done over the past years. We thought we had exclusive rights for touring car racing in Sweden, but they sold the rights to TTA last year. We consider them to have broken the deal. We are also the only promotor pay SBF to get to arrange a Swedish Championship," said Huzell.

A recent Swedish court order which ruled in favor of the new independent motorsport federation SMA, direct competitors to SBF, has made STCC to further consider to hand out the Swedish Championship title on their own.
"We are currently working on two parallel ways, but we are prepared to run the championship without involvement from SBF. Especially as SBF have delayed the process for so long," said Huzell.

The chairman of SBF, Kåge Schildt, states that they hope to reach a conclusion after a meeting on Friday and declines to comment STCC's claims that they are the only promotors paying SBF to arrange an official Swedish Championship.
"I can't say more than that before the meeting. We have a lot of different contracts, but I am forbidden to speak about the content of them," said Schildt.

DTM : Audi reveals new RS 5 DTM and driver line-up

Rob Veltman — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:12:18 +0100

Audi has revealed the look of their 2013 DTM racer in the form of the RS 5 DTM at the Geneva Motor Show. "The abbreviation 'RS' stands for the sportiest Audi models. The performance data of the current RS 5 and RS 5 DTM are very similar. This is why we are of the opinion that both fit perfectly to one another," said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport.

The driver line-up was also revealed with Jamie Green being assigned team mate to Mattias Ekström at Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline.
"I already feel at home here at Audi and can hardly wait to contest my first DTM race for the four rings," said Green.

Timo Scheider and Adrien Tambay will race for Audi Sport Team Abt, Miguel Molina and Mike Rockenfeller for Audi Sport Team Phoenix and Filipe Albuquerque and Edoardo Mortara for Audi Sport Team Rosberg.

The DTM season starts at Hockenheim as usual on the 5th of May.

Superstars : Sini expects new Camaro to be quick on fast tracks

Pietro Casillo — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:50:47 +0100

Just one month before the start of the Superstars Series season, which is scheduled for the 6-7th of April at Monza, Solaris Motorsport is working hard on the new Chevrolet Camaro.

"We built a real racing chassis," said driver Francesco Sini. "The Camaro shares a lot in terms of mechanics with the Lumina, and there will be the same gearbox, engine and differential as seen on the CR8, but the new car has a much shorter wheelbase, despite being slightly longer. We see this as a possible advantage when it comes down to weight balance."

Sini reckons the car will have its best chances on the fast tracks, such as the two opening rounds of Monza and Brno.
"We might be able to have our say for wins in the first two rounds. This car, just like the Lumina, will be quick on fast tracks with wide corners. We may struggle a bit on some of the slower venues, such as Slovakiaring, but on the other hand I expect a great potential in Portimao."

The Italian, who also owns Chevrolet Solaris Motorsport, said that the new Camaro should hit the track later this month for the first time as the car is currently being assembled.

BTCC : Motorbase Performance unveils new look for 2013

Neil Hudson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:08:32 +0100

Motorbase Performance have revealed the new livery on their Ford Focus ST, and confirmed that Airwaves will return as the team's title sponsor for the season. The team have already confirmed that Mat Jackson, Aron Smith and Liam Griffin will drive for the team this year.

The Kent-based team will be known as Airwaves Racing, as it was known in 2011, and will switch from red to a blue colour scheme, after two years of being known as the 'red devils'.

Mat Jackson and Aron Smith will compete in the team's two Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) specification Ford Focus STs, whilst the team will also field an S2000-spec car for Liam Griffin in the Jack Sears Trophy.

"We're absolutely delighted to welcome Airwaves back on board as title sponsor for this season," said Team Principal David Bartrum. " This year marks the brand's fourth year with the team and once again shows the strength and appeal of the championship to attract leading brands such as Wrigley. This week's internal launches at Wrigley's have been a great testament to how far the partnership has come in the past four years. We literally had hundreds of staff come along to see the unveiling of the new Focus livery and it was great to be able to give them a chance to get involved and meet the team for themselves."

ETCC : Jordi Oriola to compete for Tuenti Racing Team in ETCC

Neil Hudson — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:24:26 +0100

16-year-old Jordi Oriola, the younger brother of World Touring Car Championship driver Pepe, will compete in the European Touring Car Cup this year behind the wheel of a Tuenti Racing Team-run SEAT León.

Oriola, who has competed in the 24 Hours of Barcelona as well as last year's SEAT Supercopa France championship, will follow in the footsteps of his brother Pepe in entering this year's ETCC.

Pepe Oriola competed in the single event 2011 FIA European Touring Car Cup in a TDI-powered SEAT León, and finished runner-up to Fabrizio Giovanardi.

Jordi Oriola will compete in this year's ETCC, which is now a five event series, starting in support of the WTCC at Monza and finishing in October at Brno.

"In this first year, my priority is getting experience in this competition," said Oriola. "The results won't be as crucial as my adaptation to the championship."

"I would love to emulate my brother, who was runner-up in the ETCC two years ago, being the youngest driver in its history."

Last year's ETCC was won by Fernando Monje, driving for SUNRED Engineering, who also drove for Tuenti Racing Team, run by SUNRED, in the final five rounds of last year's WTCC.

WTCC : Nika Racing enters one Cruze for 2013 WTCC

TouringCarTimes — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:54:54 +0100

Swedish team Nika Racing (Chevrolet Motorsport Sweden) is going to field one Chevrolet Cruze for full season of the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship. "This is a significant day in the history of NIKA Racing. We've been working towards a WTCC campaign for a number of years - mostly behind the scenes - and today's announcement marks the realisation of a long-time ambition," said Team Manager Nicklas Karlsson.

The team has made one-off appearances in the WTCC before, most recently in the 2012 premiere at Monza with Rickard Rydell. The driver for this year's WTCC campaign has not yet been announced.

Nika Racing has run the official Chevrolet dealer team in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship since 2007, claiming the drivers' title with Rydell in 2011 and three consecutive teams' titles from 2010 to 2012.
"Following two highly successful seasons with Chevrolet back home in the STCC, we now feel ready to make this leap and to do battle with the very best of touring car racing. We are fully aware that this is going to be an exceptionally tough challenge and we head into this season in a very humble frame of mind, but our target is definitely to establish ourselves at this level in the longer term. Big, big thanks to all our partners who have been instrumental in transforming this dream into reality," said Karlsson.

V8SC : Nissan: V8 Supercars is best value for money

TouringCarTimes — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:28:31 +0100

Nissan Motorsport Global Director Darren Cox visited the 2013 V8 Supercars premiere in Adelaide and says the Australian championship gives the best value for money of their motorsport programs. "I think I'm on record saying that this year, cost versus value, the best program will be this one. Any motorsport budget you put in front of someone, they will always say 'it's crazy, it's mad, it's big'," said Cox.

Other than V8 Supercars, Nissan is also taking part in the Japanese Super GT, LMP2, GT3 and GT4.
"But in terms what it costs to go racing in Australia versus the value, whether that be the amount of eyeballs that are here, on TV, watching online, reading about it in the media, the value proposition is probably the best across all of our championships," said Cox.

The four Nissan Altimas of Todd Kelly, Rick Kelly, James Moffatt and Michael Caruso had a mixed debut weekend in the Clipsal 500. The best scoring driver of the quartet was Rick Kelly with 11th in the first race and 14th in the second, despite being tapped in to a spin.
"I was really happy about the race at that point. I put a good pass on (Scott) Pye who had more straight line speed than us, which was quite obvious. For us that was really, really good and a top 10 was well without our sights at the restart. I got spun round, it was all a bit hectic out there, and unfortunately I was the bloke who ended up at the back. We are very lucky to finish 14th with a spin like that and to get away without a DNF," said Rick Kelly.

A total of 95 000 spectators watched the premiere weekend, a figure Cox says beats the tin top championships of Europe.
"It's great to see that motorsport is alive and well and kicking in Australia ... outside of NASCAR, this is level pegging with DTM as the premier national category in the world. In terms of crowds and people paying to attend, you're actually ahead of DTM. A lot of countries, including my own native country (England), would kill to have a championship like this," said Cox.

V8SC : Erebus expected better performance in Adelaide

TouringCarTimes — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:38:46 +0100

The Mercedes team Erebus Motorsport struggled in the V8 Supercars premiere in Adelaide and team manager David Stuart expected better peformance. "To be honest and fair, I thought our performance before coming here was going to be better than it was," said Stuart to Speedcafe.com.

The Mercedes trio qualified at the very bottom of the field and Tim Slade scored the teams' best result in race one with 15th position. The main struggle currently, according to the team, is lack of engine power.
"We've still got quite a bit of work to do with the engine and chassis. Having said that, we progressed the chassis quite well throughout the weekend, and all drivers have commented that the balance is improving. We still have some straight line speed to sort out, but it (struggling) was always going to be expected, given the tight nature of the project," said Stuart.

The team has got four test days remaining this year and Stuart is not expecting strong results until the second half of the season.
"Like most teams, we need to get on top of all our spares and things like that. What we need to do is get back to the workshop, regroup and pinpoint the areas that we need to solve first. We always knew we'd be underdone coming here. We've said that a few times, but we'll progress through the year and get them to the front of the grid," said Stuart.

WTCC : RML confirms Muller and Chilton for 2013 campaign

Neil Hudson — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:14:49 +0100

RML will remain on the grid in this year's World Touring Car Championship, fielding a pair of Chevrolet Cruzes for three-time champion Yvan Muller and their new signing Tom Chilton.

After eight years running Chevrolet's programme in the WTCC, RML will enter as an independent team this season, which is believed to be a holding pattern before a new works programme begins in 2014.

"Our partnership with Chevrolet reached a natural conclusion and whilst we are immensely proud of what we achieved, time moves on and we are treating this as a whole new challenge," said RML Chief Executive Ray Mallock.

"Competition in the WTCC remains formidable and we do not underestimate the scale of the challenge ahead of us, particularly as we will have very limited pre-season testing."

Yvan Muller, who won the drivers' title twice for the team in 2010 and 2011, will stay on and for the first time in his touring car career will not be part of a manufacturer programme, after having previously raced for SEAT, Vauxhall, Audi and BMW prior to his three year spell with Chevrolet.

"I'm very fired-up for the new season and highly motivated to challenge for the title again," said Muller. "I have been with RML for four years and I am very happy to continue our long association. I have the highest respect for the team and a lot of faith in their ability to prepare and race a winning car."

Although effectively an independent team after Chevrolet's departure, it's certain that under the rules of the independents' trophy, Yvan Muller will not be eligible in that category just as Gabriele Tarquini, Tom Coronel and Tiago Monteiro haven't been in recent years due to their ex-works driver status.

Muller's new team-mate will be 27-year-old Tom Chilton, who moves over from Arena Motorsport. It'll be Chilton's second season in the WTCC after nine years in the British Touring Car Championship, and will be his best opportunity to fight at the front in the highly developed Cruze 1.6T. It remains to be seen as to whether Chilton will be deemed eligible for the independents' trophy, as RML's record in the Championship alone could preclude anyone driving for the team from competing for the trophy.

Tom Chilton's continued presence in the WTCC along with his brother Max's debut in Formula One for Marussia will mean there are Chiltons competing in two of the three FIA World Championships in 2013.

"2013 is looking very exciting for me," added Chilton. "Last year was a real learning curve, both in terms of getting used to a new championship and in quickly adapting to new circuits. Now I have the experience and my target for this year is to be competitive from the start and to focus on consistent podium-worthy performance. RML is a top team and I really can't wait to get behind the wheel of the Cruze. I know there is a lot to learn quickly, but I believe I am with one of the best teams to teach me."

Of RML's former drivers, Rob Huff, who won the title with RML last season, has already confirmed he will be driving for Münnich Motorsport this season in one of their SEAT Leóns, whilst RML's other driver Alain Menu, who finished as runner-up last year in one of his strongest seasons to date, plans to announce his new programme at the Geneva Motor Show on Wednesday.

STCC : Graff replaces Wirdheim at Picko Troberg Racing

TouringCarTimes — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 22:28:31 +0100

Alexander Graff takes over the seat from Björn Wirdheim at Picko Troberg Racing (PTR) for the 2013 STCC season. "It is an honor to put on the PTR shirt and to work with DHL (team partner) at the same time," said Graff.

Graff finished third in Camaro Cup Sweden last year and was the Junior Touring Car Championship Sweden champion in 2008.
"We have chosen one of the most promising young drivers of Swedish racing. I have followed him for several seasons and I have been impressed by his efforts, both in JTCC and especially in Camaro Cup," said PTR Team Owner Picko Troberg.

Wirdheim announced his exit from the team two days ago as Picko Troberg Racing was unable to fulfill the financial commitments of their contract.

The team is going to field one car in this year's STCC, expected to be a Saab 9-3. Graff made a one-off appearance in the 2011 STCC for Volkswagen at Gothenburg City Arena, finishing outside the points.

WTCC : LADA Sport Lukoil reveal 2013 WTCC livery

Neil Hudson — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 18:23:36 +0100

The car with which LADA Sport Lukoil will race on their two Lada Granta Sport cars in this year's World Touring Car Championship has been revealed. The team's two cars will be campaigned by two-time BTCC champion James Thompson and Russian driver Aleksei Dudukalo.

The team has been testing recently out of engine-builder ORECA's base at Magny-Cours in preparation for their first full season after the Russian manufacturer withdrew from the Championship at the end of the 2009 season.

The team will start the year with two Lada Grantas but may add a third car for selected events later in the season.

The team will have prominent sponsorship from Russian oil company LUKOIL this season, with Aleksei Dudukalo joining the team after two years driving a SEAT for Lukoil Racing.

James Thompson, who raced the Granta in two rounds of the 2012 WTCC and before that raced for Volvo Polestar Racing in the STCC and Motorbase Performance in the BTCC in 2011, will return to the WTCC fold for his first full season in racing since 2009.

V8SC : Bright and Courtney penalised after incidents

TouringCarTimes — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:41:53 +0100

Jason Bright and James Courtney left the V8 Supercars premiere in Adelaide with 15 championship points removed in penalties for incidents in the first two races of the year.

Bright got his penalty for the incident pictured above, when turning around Rick Kelly in the last part of the race which also eliminated Todd Kelly and Garth Tander.

Holden Racing Team driver Courtney got his penalty for a race one incident. Courtney clashed with Bright in turn nine. Today's race also saw Courtney being involved in an incident with Scott McLaughlin, turning him around, but with no action from the stewards.

The V8 Supercars continues on the 7th of April at Symmons Plains.

V8SC : Van Gisbergen wins ahead of Whincup in Adelaide

TouringCarTimes — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 09:51:34 +0100

Shane Van Gisbergen claimed Tekno Autosports' first V8 Supercars victory in the second race of the weekend at Adelaide ahead of Jamie Whincup. "It's been great... It's been overwhelming. I'm stoked to put a good race together, said Van Gisbergen.

The Holden driver had a tough and long battle with Whincup for the lead, with Whincup snatching the lead at mid-point of the race. But Van Gisbergen was able to get back in to the lead towards the end of the race and also survived a safety car restart, caused by Alex Davison crashing in to the wall in turn eight.

The safety car restart saw an incident between Jason Bright and Rick Kelly, with Garth Tander and Todd Kelly also being involved. All four drivers retired from the race.

Whincup crossed the line in second despite hard pressure from Red Bull Racing Australia team mate Craig Lowndes in third.

Russel Ingall claimed fourth ahead of the Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford duo of Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison. Both Ford drivers were in the podium fight earlier in the race, but lost out due to lengthy pit stops.

James Courtney, Tony D'Alberto, Scott McLaughlin and Jonathon Webb rounded off the top ten. The best Nissan driver was Norton 360 Racing's James Moffat in 13th with Lee Holdsworth as the best Mercedes driver in 17th and last position.

Lowndes heads the championship standings 12 points ahead of Whincup and a further 27 points ahead of Davison in third.

V8SC : Craig Lowndes scores first COTF win in Adelaide

TouringCarTimes — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 09:56:41 +0100

Craig Lowndes became the first to win in the new Car Of The Future (COTF) regulations as he crossed the line over 20 seconds from his closest competitor in the first race of the 2013 V8 Supercars season in Adelaide. "It's been sensational. It's been a hell of a Christmas for the team at Red Bull Racing Australia. To get out here in front of the massive crowd is sensational," said Lowndes.

As pole position man Shane Van Gisbergen stalled on the grid and retired later due to engine problems, Lowndes took command early and was able to pull clear from the rest of the field in his Holden VF Commodore.
"I think (the new car) suits my style a bit better than last year. I can throw it through the corner and look after the tyres. We've still got more to come. I can't say any more - its been a hell of a day," said Lowndes.

Will Davison was the best Ford driver in second for, ahead of Triple 8 drive Jamie Whincup in third. Fabian Coulthard was right up in the fight for a podium in the early stages, but the Lockwood Racing driver lost a lot of ground as he had to pit for technical problems.

Alexandre Premat scored his best ever V8 Supercars finish in fourth for Fujitsu Racing GRM, closing in on Whincup towards the end of the race.

James Courtney was final driver in to the top five ahead of Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander. Jonathon Webb, Alex Davison and Russell Ingall rounded off the top ten.

The best Nissan driver was Rick Kelly in eleventh, with Tim Slade as the best Mercedes driver in 15th position.

The 78 lap race was uninterrupted by the safety car for the third time ever in V8 Supercars history and a total of 80 200 spectators watched the race.

V8SC : Van Gisbergen breaks silence on team switch

TouringCarTimes — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 23:12:25 +0100

Shane van Gisbergen has spoken about his controversial switch from Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) to Tekno Autosports for the first time with the Daily Telegraph. "I didn't want to stay somewhere where I wasn't happy. I was hating life and had to get out," said van Gisbergen to the Daily Telegraph.

Part of the reason for van Gisbergen to leave was the planned switch for SBR to Mercedes and Erebus Motorsport as well as personal clashes within the team.
"There were a couple of clashes. It wasn't a happy atmosphere and it was going to get more political with the takeover. Just the big glitzy stuff with Mercedes. I want a fast race car. I want to race and have fun. I wasn't allowed to do NZ Super Tourers," said van Gisbergen.

While him leaving the team was announced as a retirement, van Gisbergen says that those words were never uttered by him.
"Not by me. Never from my mouth. No one has heard my side and it has all come from other people," said van Gisbergen.

The Holden driver even got a bonnet signed by all drivers of the field as a retirement gift.
"I know there have been a lot of comments by the drivers. I feel quite bad because they signed it, but at that point I was going home. Things have changed now," said van Gisbergen.

The switch to Tekno Autosports was not about money according to van Gisbergen, but results and he is aiming for the title this year.
"No, I want results. That is what I am driven by. I love racing and I love the atmosphere. I want a good car, a good time and I want to do my best. So far that is all happening here at Tekno. I want to win championships. I think I can do that here. I want to win races and go for it. We have a great car run by good people. That is the reason I came back," said van Gisbergen.

BTCC : WSR nearing completion of first NGTC BMW

TouringCarTimes — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:53:26 +0100

West Surrey Racing are close to complete their first NGTC specification BMW 125i M-Sport. "The guys on the team are doing a fantastic job on the preparation side of things, as they have created a mini assembly plant, so once the first eBay Motors car is finished, the second and third will hopefully go together a lot quicker," said WSR Team Manager Dick Bennetts.

The team is going to have all three cars ready for the season premiere at Brands Hatch on the 31st of March. A first track shakedown with the first BMW is expected to be completed within seven to ten days, according to the team.
"We would also like to thank eBay Motors, BMW, all our suppliers, the BTCC NGTC suppliers, especially GPRM, for all their help when we are working to such tight deadlines," said Bennetts.

Drivers signed for the coming season are Colin Turkington, Rob Collard and Nick Foster.