27.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Lufttemperatur: 24,3 °C
Streckentemperatur: 22,4 °C
In einem von einer Regen-Unterbrechung geprägten Rennen der Formel 3 Euro Serie auf dem 2,3 Kilometer langen Norisring gewann Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) vor Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport) und Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam). Bianchi übernahm die Führung nach dem Restart, der wegen eines Unfalls in der ersten Runde und der nachfolgenden Safety-Car-Phase nötig wurde und fuhr einem sicheren Sieg entgegen. Für den Tabellenführer der stärksten Nachwuchsserie der Welt war es der zweite Saisonsieg im fünften Rennen des Jahres.
Das Rennen begann mit einem Massenunfall, bei dem insgesamt fünf Fahrer ausschieden. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatte Rookie Alexander Sims die Führung inne, doch beim Restart zog sein Verfolger Bianchi an ihm vorbei und setzte sich vom Feld ab. Sims hingegen steckte in einem Kampf mit Stefano Coletti, Esteban Gutierrez (ART Grand Prix) und Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport), in dem sich der britische Rookie schließlich durchsetzte. Für den Mücke-Piloten war es der erste Podestplatz in der Formel 3 Euro Serie. Stefano Coletti komplettierte das Podium.
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): „Mein Start war nicht besonders gut, aber mein Restart nach dem Safety-Car dafür umso besser. Ich habe dann versucht, eine Lücke zu meinen Verfolgern herauszuarbeiten, was mir gelungen ist. Mein Auto war gut und ich bin immer noch Führender der Formel 3 Euro Serie, damit bin ich zufrieden.“
Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport): „Es war komisch, das Rennen nach der Unterbrechung noch einmal zu starten, um noch eine Runde hinter dem Safety Car zu fahren. Beim Restart nach dem Unfall in der ersten Runde war ich nicht gut und Jules zog an mir vorbei. Aber was soll’s, ich stehe zum ersten Mal auf dem Podest in der Formel 3 Euro Serie.“
Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam): „Es war seltsam, für nur noch eine Runde hinter dem Safety-Car noch einmal loszufahren. Man hätte sich das sparen können oder sollte noch zwei oder drei Runden mehr fahren. Über den dritten Platz freue ich mich trotzdem.“

www.f3euroseries.com

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27.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

German driver becomes fourth winner in five races 

Tobias Hegewald took a commanding maiden win at Spa-Francorchamps this afternoon (Saturday), ahead of Andy Soucek and Miloš Pavlović.
The race got off to a dramatic start when Robert Wickens failed to get away from the line. It looked as though the whole pack would be able to avoid him but Jason Moore collected him at speed, spreading the track with debris and bringing the safety car out for two laps.

At the restart, Soucek tried desperately to get past Hegewald but ended up running off the circuit at Les Combes. The Spaniard held on to his second place, but baulked Julien Jousse as he returned to circuit. Pavlović managed to overtake Jousse in the process and the two went on to enjoy a race-long battle.

Philipp Eng and Alex Brundle both retired after coming together in an incident that also involved Jolyon Palmer, whilst the trio fought for sixth place. Palmer suffered wing damage and eventually dropped down the order.

At the flag, Hegewald had increased his lead to four seconds to take his first victory of the season. Soucek was able to take a comfortable second as Pavlović came under increasing pressure from Jousse, but the Serbian defended gallantly to take a well deserved podium.

Behind Jousse came the British pair of Jack Clarke and Tom Gladdis - both drivers enjoying storming drives from 12th and 15th respectively on the grid to score top six finishes. Henri Karjalainen and Edoardo Piscopo also enjoyed similarly exciting races, making several overtaking manoeuvres on their way to seventh and eighth. Mirko Bortolotti and Kazim Vasiliauskas rounded out the top ten - narrowly missing out on championship points.

Soucek now leads the championship standings, having moved to 23 points ahead of Bortolotti and Jousse on 21. Wickens is currently fourth on 20 points. Round six will take place tomorrow at 15:05.

Tobias Hegewald said: "I’m just hoping for more of the same tomorrow! My first two weekends unfortunately weren’t so good, but hopefully now I am running better and I have put myself into championship contention. I was under a bit of pressure from Andy but I managed to get a gap and relax towards the end."

Andy Soucek said: "I tried to overtake Tobias in the early laps, at the start and after the Safety Car, but I saw he was too quick and I couldn’t match his rhythm. I had a few big moments - including going across the grass at the chicane - so I decided to settle for second and with it the championship lead. I have to apologise to Julien Jousse because he had to avoid me when I went over the grass and he ended up losing third to Miloš. I’m happy with my race and the result, but I do have to apologise for this move."

Milos Pavlović said: "I really wanted a podium today and I pushed hard to get it. Maybe I was fortunate to get past Julien in the way I did, but I took my chances and the race went well. I got a really good start and was alongside Julien Jousse going into the first corner, and after I got by him I couldn’t catch Andy so I just guided it home to third. I know I have to improve my feel for the car, but after this result I’m confident I can get there."

FIA Formula Two Championship, Spa-Francorchamps, Race One results:

1. Tobias Hegewald, 11 laps
2. Andy Soucek, +4.149s
3. Milos Pavlovic, +7.896s
4. Julien Jousse, +8.619s
5. Jack Clarke, +19.406s
6. Tom Gladdis, +19.955s
7. Henri Karjalainen, +21.720s
8. Edoardo Piscopo, +27.003s
9. Mirko Bortolotti, +34.193s
10. Kazim Vasiliauskas, +36.390s                               www.formulatwo.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Liverpool FC opened the scoring as this year’s ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ roared into action with a four-hour pre-season test session at Magny-Cours in France. The former home of the French Grand Prix stages the opening rounds of the 2009 football-themed championship on Sunday and the competitors were given a chance to fine tune their upgraded V12 race cars today (Friday).
Earlier this evening thousands of fans packed the downtown pavements to watch a dramatic demonstration as three V12-engined Superleague Formula race cars roared up and down the Avenue General de Gaulle. To the obvious delight of the locals, one of the cars wowing the enthusiastic crowds was the new Olympique Lyonnais entry driven by Nelson Panciatici. The all French rookie team was joined by similar 750bhp race cars representing two of Europe’s other top football clubs: Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven driven by Adrian Valles and Dominique Muermans.

The street show was followed by a public autograph session in Place Carnot and then the Drivers’ Draw for qualifying groups at the Palais Ducal. The draw placed Olympique Lyonnais, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Al-Ain FC, Flamengo, Anderlecht, Atlético de Madrid, Tottenham Hotspurs, Liverpool FC, AS Roma in Group A for tomorrow’s first qualifying session; the remaining eight clubs (AC Milan, Galatasaray , PSV Eindhoven , Olympiacos, Basel , Corinthians, FC Porto, Glasgow Rangers, FC Midtjylland) into Group B. The fastest four cars from each group will qualify for the final shoot-out for the top eight starting positions on the grid for the opening race of this year’s Superleague Formula by Sanangol on Sunday morning

www.superleagueformula.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Lufttemperatur: 21,9 °C
Streckentemperatur: 26,1 °C
Der Brite Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport, 0:55,367 Minuten) erobert seine erste Pole-Position in der Formel 3 Euro Serie. Auf dem abtrocknenden Norisring fuhr er im letzten Augenblick die beste Rundenzeit und verdrängte das ART Grand Prix-Trio Jules Bianchi (0:55,620 Minuten), Adrien Tambay (0:55,644 Minuten) und Esteban Gutierrez (0:55,712 Minuten) auf die Ränge zwei bis vier.
Das Qualifying begann im Regen. In der zweiten Hälfte des 30-minütigen Zeittrainings trocknete die nur 2,3 Kilometer lange Strecke um die Nürnberger Steintribüne aber mehr und mehr ab. Die besten Rundenzeiten wurden folglich in der Schlussphase gefahren. Bis zum letzten Augenblick wechselten die Namen an der Spitze, ehe Alexander Sims sie schließlich nicht mehr abgab. Nach Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 0:56,268 Minuten), der am EuroSpeedway die Qualifying-Bestzeit holte, ist Sims in diesem Jahr bereits der zweite Rookie, dem die schnellste Rundenzeit im Qualifying gelang.
Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport): „Ich freue mich über meine erste Pole-Position in der Formel 3 Euro Serie und meine zweite Pole in meiner gesamten Karriere. Allerdings ist mir der Punkt, den man für die Qualifying-Bestzeit erhält, fast wichtiger, denn es ist mein erster Zähler in diesem Jahr. Ich hoffe, diese Pole-Position ist der Beginn einer ab jetzt erfolgreichen Saison, nachdem es bisher noch nicht so toll lief.“
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): „Ich bin zufrieden, auch wenn es nicht die Pole-Position ist. Meine Rivalen um den Titel stehen hinter mir und das ist gut so. In meiner schnellsten Runde musste ich Pedro Henrique überholen, was sicher etwas Zeit gekostet hat. Aber ich muss auch zugeben, dass Alexander Sims eine tolle Rundenzeit gefahren ist und hier sehr schnell ist.“
Adrien Tambay (ART Grand Prix): „Es war mein erstes richtig gutes Qualifying in der Formel 3 Euro Serie und es ist ein gutes Gefühl, so weit vorne zu stehen. Es wäre sogar noch mehr möglich gewesen, aber die letzten beiden Runden habe ich wegen des vielen Verkehrs nicht optimal getroffen. Im Rennen morgen möchte ich so viele Punkte wie möglich mitnehmen.“

www.f3euroseries.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

German racer leads from Andy Soucek and Robert Wickens

Tobias Hegewald has continued his superb run of form today at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, by taking a stunning maiden pole for tomorrow’s first F2 race.
The German, who has topped every session so far in Spa, set his best time of 2:08.890s shortly after a red flag period to recover Sebastian Hohenthal’s stricken car from the top of Eau Rouge.

Spaniard Andy Soucek, who has an excellent record at Spa, was second, with Canadian Robert Wickens in third - both drivers also setting their time in the final half of the session.

Julien Jousse held provisional pole prior to the red flag, but the Frenchman failed to improve in the latter stages and had to settle for fourth. Kazim Vasiliauskas took fifth, with Henry Surtees sealing an impressive day by securing sixth on the grid.

Milos Pavlovic and Alex Brundle rounded out the top eight ahead of Jolyon Palmer, who enjoyed his best qualifying performance of the season in ninth, with Philipp Eng completing the top ten.

Mikhail Aleshin didn’t take part in the session following damage sustained in an earlier free practice crash.

Tobias Hegewald said: "I’m really happy with today. I tried my best to do a good lap and I didn’t make any mistakes, so it has been a good day for me. After the red flag I was worried that I had wasted my new tyres, and I tried to save them as best as I could on the way back to the pits. After the red though I think the track was in perfect condition. It’s my favoruite circuit and I love driving here, so I’m really happy to be starting from pole tomorrow - hopefully I can finish where I start!"

Andy Soucek said: "After free practice I was a bit disappointed - it’s the first time I’ve been to Spa and not been in the top five. We made a few changes for qualifying and the new rubber made a massive difference which we hadn’t expected, so that was a nice surprise. I have a good position for tomorrow, and with Bortolotti and Aleshin down the order there is a chance to score some valuable points. It’s all about leaving Spa with at least a top three so I can go into the next round with good points in my pocket."

Robert Wickens said: "After the weekend I had in Brno I’m just glad to be back in a press conference! I got caught out a little by the red flag, and then my next lap had the potential to be better until I caught traffic, so I’m a little disappointed. However a top three is still good for the race tomorrow, and I’ll be treating the race as if it were my last - points are so critical, and in the end it could be one point that decides the champion. I’m hoping to pounce on this opportunity to score, especially as some of my championship opponents are starting down the grid."

FIA Formula Two Championship, Spa-Francorchamps, Qualifying One results:

1. Tobias Hegewald, 2:08.890s
2. Andy Soucek, +0.091s
3. Robert Wickens, +0.375s
4. Julien Jousse, +0.559s
5. Kazim Vasiliauskas, +0.923s
6. Henry Surtees, +1.435s
7. Milos Pavlovic, +1.529s
8. Alex Brundle, +1.597s
9. Jolyon Palmer, +1.631s
10.  Philipp Eng, +1.854s                                    www.formulatwo.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Die 7. Rallye Triest-Wien nähert sich mit Riesenschritten - in 2 Monaten ist es soweit, knapp 100 Fahrzeuge setzen sich von Opatija aus in zwei Klassen in Bewegung Richtung Wien.

Eine Veranstaltung in dieser Größenordnung ist ohne die Unterstützung von Sponsoren nicht möglich. An dieser Stelle wollen wir sie kurz vorstellen.
An vorderster Stelle steht ein treuer Unterstützer seit vielen Jahren - Horst Linn, Inhaber der erfolgreichen Firma Linn High Therm, die sich auf Hochtemperaturöfen für Labor, Werkstatt, Forschung und Industrie spezialisiert. Horst Linn ist selbst begeisterter Rennfahrer und hat auch als Teilnehmer der Race Class beachtliche Erfolge feiern können.
Heuer neu an Bord ist die Allianz, die ab sofort in Kooperation mit Oldie Car Cover Oldtimer-Versicherungen in Österreich anbietet. Als eines der größten Versicherungsunternehmen promotet die Allianz ihre neue Kooperation über die Rallye Triest-Wien - Details folgen demnächst.
Triest-Wien >>

Schöne Strecken und anspruchsvolles Fahren
Wir freuen uns über unseren neuen Sponsor Jochen70, der mit hochexklusiven Taschen, die speziell auf die Bedürfnisse von Oldtimer-Fahrern zugeschnitten sind, reüssiert. Die Kollektion, die vom weltbekannten Designstudio Lucy D entworfen wurde, wird auch auf der Triest-Wien zu sehen sein.
Vitallo spezialisiert sich auf hochwertige Schuhe und hat unter anderem spezielle Rennfahrerschuhe im Programm. Zwei Paar davon gibt es bei Sonderprüfungen auch zu gewinnen!

Walter Röhrl nimmt an der 7. Classic Rallye Triest-Wien teil
Medienpartner sind dieses Jahr Powerslide und meinklassiker.com. Powerslide ist ein quartalsmässig erscheinendes Magazin rund um den Oldtimer-Rennsport, mit brillianten Fotos und tollen Inhalten. Meinklassiker.com ist ein Portal, das auf die Informationsbedürfnisse von Oldtimer-Besitzern zugeschnitten ist - News, Veranstaltungs- und Werkstattsverzeichnisse sind nur einige der Funktionen.
An dieser Stelle wollen wir unseren Sponsoren für ihre Unterstützung danken - Sie machen es möglich, dass die Teilnehmer von Opatija bis Wien wunderschöne Strecken, harten Rennsport und ausgelassene Abend-Events erleben können!

Wir sehen einander bei der 7. Triest-Wien vom 27. - 29. August 2009!
Mit freundlichen Grüssen
Ihr Veranstaltungsteam der Classic Rallye Triest-Wien

Tel. +43 1 236 62 58
Fax +43 1 236 62 58 - 9
info@wientriest.at

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Liverpool FC opened the scoring as this year’s ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ roared into action with a four-hour pre-season test session at Magny-Cours in France. The former home of the French Grand Prix stages the opening rounds of the 2009 football-themed championship on Sunday and the competitors were given a chance to fine tune their upgraded V12 race cars today (Friday).
The pace was set by two of last year’s front-runners with Adrian Valles powering the Liverpool FC entry to the top of the time sheets, the Spaniard lapping fractionally faster than local French hero Tristan Gommendy in the FC Porto car. Causing an early upset, Kasper Anderson was third quickest for FC Midtjylland, the ambitious Danish club is new to the series.
A total of 15 cars took the track today among them several late driver signings including Ho-Pin Tung representing Athletico Madrid and Duncan Tappy in the Galatasaray entry. Several drivers tipped for the top in 2009 including ex-F1 stars Giorgio Pantano (AC Milan) and Enrique Bernoldi (Clube de Regatas do Flamengo) only completed a handful of shakedown laps and therefore did not set competitive times.

Superleague Formula by Sonangol – Friday test session:
1- Adrian Valles, Liverpool FC - 1m 27.758s
2- Tristan Gommendy, FC Porto - +0.237s
3- Kasper Anderson, FC Midtjylland - +0.287s
4- John Martin, Glasgow Rangers - +0.376s
5- Antonio Pizzonia, FC Corinthians PTA - +0.381s
6- Craig Dolby, Tottenham Hotspur - +0.669s
7- Ho-Pin Tung, Athletico Madrid - +1.707s
8- Pedro Petiz, Sporting Clube de Portugal - +2.352s
9- Miguel Molina, Al-Ain FC - +2.527s
10- Max Wissel, FC Basel - +2.572s
11- Enrique Bernoldi, Flamengo - +3.568
12- Dominique Muermans, PSV - +3.909
13- Giorgio Pantani, AC Milan - +4.045
14- Duncan Tappy, Galatasaray SK - +5.003
15- Davide Rigon, Olympiacos - No time

www.superleagueformula.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

German driver tops both free practice sessions

Tobias Hegewald topped both free practice sessions at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, today (Friday) to take early control of FIA Formula Two Championship weekend at the legendary venue.

Hegewald led the way in the first practice session after setting a time of 2:10.110s, with a comfortable margin over Mikhail Aleshin and Alex Brundle. In the second session Aleshin damaged his car after making contact with the barriers, whilst Brundle improved to set the second fastest time ahead of Julien Jousse.

Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek, who has taken podiums at Spa-Francorchamps in GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5, was fourth in both sessions. Behind him there were strong showings from the likes of Milos Pavlovic, Henry Surtees and Philipp Eng, whilst Robert Wickens guided his car to eighth in each session.

Championship leader Mirko Bortolotti could only manage 15^th in the opening session, but improved to tenth as practice drew to a close. On his birthday Carlos Iaconelli claimed fifth spot in opening practice, but fell to 18^th in the second session.

Tobias Hegewald said: "I am happy with the way things have been going so far today, and I just hope I can do the same in qualifying. I have driven here many times and I have a good feeling with the car and the circuit. I am sure it will be very close and I will have to fight hard in qualifying, but I am looking forward to it. This is my favourite circuit, so I am hoping for some good times this weekend.”

Alex Brundle said: "I am obviously happy to show my pace. There is still a lot of work to do for qualifying, but I am happy with the set-up and with this being such a long lap, there is always more time you can gain as a driver. I will see what I can do but I will just keep driving the car the way I am - everything seems to be working and I hope to take some points away from the weekend."

Julien Jousse: "We have worked really hard on set-up as you have to find the right compromise with the fast straights and corners here. We have worked hard and I have learnt a lot, so I am feeling quite good for qualifying. To be towards the top always feels good, but conditions will change and it will be a lot cooler late this afternoon so we will just have to see what happens."

Drivers will return to the circuit at 16:50 later today for the opening qualifying session of the weekend, with rain having just begun to fall in the Ardennes forest.

www.formulatwo.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

The 13^th and 14^th rounds of the FIA WTCC will take place next week on Porto’s Circuito da Boavista.
This is the second visit the championship pays to this racetrack that winds along the streets of the Portuguese city and was revived in 2005, half-a-century since it hosted the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix.
In 2007 - on WTCC’s first visit - Chevrolet and BMW shared the glory. In the first race Alain Menu led home a trio of Chevrolet Lacetti cars, followed by team mates Robert Huff and Nicola Larini. The second race saw a BMW double, with Andy Priaulx emerging as the winner ahead of Jörg Müller.
Next week the WTCC competitors will benefit from a 30 minute test session on Friday to re-discover the track; the only major change to the layout that was used two years ago concerns the infamous paddock chicane, which has been completely redrawn.

Two years later, the WTCC goes back to Porto’s Circuito da Boavista

JAMES THOMPSON JOINS LADA SPORT
Touring car ace James Thompson returns to the FIA WTCC joining the LADA Sport team.
Yesterday at Zolder, the 35-year old Englishman had his first test in the brand new LADA Priora he will drive in Porto next week. Thompson will replace team principal and driver Viktor Shapovalov in four of the remaining six events: Porto, Brands Hatch, Okayama and Macau, missing Oschersleben and Imola due to previous commitments. His team-mates Jaap van Lagen and Kirill Ladygin will also switch from the current LADA 110 to the new Priora from the meeting in Oschersleben on September 6^th.
Thompson boasts an outstanding WTCC record, having raced for Alfa Romeo, SEAT and Honda claiming 4 victories and 12 other podium results; in 2007 he classified third in the drivers’ championship. He has started the current season competing in the Danish and the British Touring Car Championships, achieving four wins so far.
"I’m very excited to be back in the WTCC and I feel very privileged that LADA has asked me to be the first person to race their new car," said Thompson. "It’s a great challenge to be involved in a new project like this from the beginning and I am looking forward to it very much."

James Thompson tested the new LADA Priora in Zolder

WTCC TO RACE AT ZOLDER IN 2010
On Wednesday in Paris the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the calendar for the 2010 World Touring Car Championship.
The series will visit two new venues: Zolder and Algarve. The former that hosted one meeting of the FIA European Touring Car Championship back in 2001, replaces the French round of Pau and will mark WTCC’s return to Belgium after its only visit (at Spa in 2005). As for the new Portuguese racetrack, it will receive the championship for the first time, stepping in for Porto.
Other changes compared to the current season are the dates swapped between Italy and Spain (the name of the Italian venue that will host the first European event will be communicated soon) and the postponement of the Czech event to August 1^st.

YOKOHAMA CONFIRMED UNTIL 2012
Following an invitation to tender, the FIA World Motor Sport Council appointed the Yokohama Rubber Company to supply the control tyre for the next three seasons of the FIA World Touring Car Championship: 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The Japan-based manufacturer has been WTCC official tyre supplier since the 2006 season.

SEAT AND CHEVROLET ARE LIGHTER IN PORTO
The SEAT León Tdi and Chevrolet Cruze LT cars will benefit from a reduction of the compensation weight for the next event of the season in Porto.
According to the calculation that took into account the lap times set in the three previous events (Pau, Valencia and Brno) BMW remains the fastest model and will receive once again the maximum 40kg ballast. At the same time SEAT’s turbodiesel machines will run on the minimum weight fixed by the sporting regulations (1170 kg), while Chevrolet will be a further 10 kilos lighter, just like Alessandro Zanardi’s BMW 320si (the only one equipped with a sequential gearbox).
Both the SEAT León TFSI and the LADA 110 cars will have 20kg deducted from the minimum weight, while the newly homologated LADA Priora will be laden with the maximum ballast for its first two events in the championship.

Compensation weights Porto
+ 40 kg BMW 320si, LADA Priora
± 0 kg SEAT León TDI
- 10 kg BMW 320si Zanardi , Chevrolet Cruze LT
- 20 kg LADA 110, SEAT León TFSI

FASTEST CARS IN THE PREVIOUS EVENTS
Lap time calculation as per art. 79 Sporting Regulations
Curitiba: 1^st SEAT León Tdi; 2^nd BMW 320si (+ 0.252); 3^rd: Chevrolet Cruze LT (+ 0.337)Puebla: 1^st BMW 320si; 2^nd SEAT León Tdi (+ 0.419); 3^rd: BMW 320si GBS (+ 1.497)
Marrakech: 1^st Chevrolet Cruze LT; 2^nd SEAT León Tdi (+ 0.191); 3^rd: BMW 320si (+ 0.831)
Pau: 1^st BMW 320si; 2^nd Chevrolet Cruze LT (+ 0.579); 3^rd: SEAT León Tfsi (+ 1.002)
Valencia: 1^st SEAT León Tdi; 2^nd BMW 320si (+ 0.294); 3^rd: Chevrolet Cruze LT (+ 0.965)
Brno: 1^st BMW 320si; 2^nd BMW 320si Zanardi (+ 0.393); 3^rd: SEAT León Tdi (+ 0.809)

PUYO IS THE SEAT CUP WINNER FOR PORTO
Diego Puyo has won participation in the next World Touring Car Championship races at Porto by winning the SEAT León Eurocup’s second event last Sunday at Brno.
On the Czech racetrack the 25 year-old Spaniard completed the first race in fifth position and won the second one, climbing on top of the standings.
Thanks to these results, Puyo will take the wheel of SUNRED Engineering’s third SEAT León at Porto, succeeding Tim Coronel who successfully drove it at Brno.

ARTISTIC LIVERY FOR MENU’S CHEVROLET
Chevrolet chose the Portuguese event to sport - on Alain Menu’s Cruze car - the special livery winner of this year’s ‘Young? Creative? Chevrolet!’ pan-European contest.
Like in 2008, the brief in the visual arts discipline of Chevrolet’s competition for art school students was the design of a unique livery to be sported one-off by one of the WTCC cars.
The winning project comes from Belgium and was conceived by Britt Raes, from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) in Ghent.

www.fiawtcc.com

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26.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Miguel Ferrer, Circuito Renn Arena (Llucmajor, Illes Balears)._Tras conseguir un buen resultado en el curso académico que acaba de finalizar, Juan Carlos Resoagli, Miguel Socías y Anna-Maria James-Wyatt han sido tenido una recompensa, un cursillo privado de karting de dos días de duración.

Los instructores de este miniprograma tienen mucha experiencia acumulada a sus espaldas. El australiano John Smith Darrell actualmente es piloto probador de la casa Rotax, él es el encargado de poner en funcionamiento las nuevas modificaciones de la marca y de su evolución. Lleva casi cuarenta años en el karting y atesora varios campeonatos europeos de karting y varias victorias en el antiguo campeonato de Fórmula A, con varios triunfos destacando el GP de Suzuka en Japón.

Por otra parte James Geidel afincado en Suiza es el director del equipo Mira Motorsport, desde pequeño ha estado vinculado al karting, ha sido piloto, mecánico de competición y actualmente ocupa la función de manager dentro del equipo.

En la jornada del miércoles los dos “profesores” conocieron a sus tres alumnos y se interesaron por sus monturas. Lo primero que les enseñaron fue un poco de mantenimiento de su kart, mirar presiones antes y después de las tandas de entrenos, engrasar la cadena etc.. y la importancia de estos pequeños ajustes que puede hacer todo piloto. Tal vez esa fue la parte más aburrida para los jóvenes pilotos. (Muy agradecida por los mecánicos, que tuvieron sus momentos de relax)

Tanto James como John pasaron rápidamente a la acción y durante toda la jornada del jueves estuvieron en la pista enseñándoles diferentes técnicas sobre adelantamientos, salidas lanzadas, buscar huecos, como cerrar a tus rivales etc.. Las tandas se iban acumulando y los tres pilotos mantenían intactas sus cualidades y su atención en los diferentes ejercicios que iban haciendo.

Justo antes de comer pilotos y profesores se tomaron un pequeño descanso y después de nuevo al trabajo, las lecciones eran interesantes y más aun los ejercicios por lo que la atención de los alumn@s fue mayúscula. En la tarde del jueves pudimos ver una buena progresión en su nivel de pilotaje, no obstante su prueba de fuego será este domingo en el Circuito de los Ángeles en Jumilla donde tendrán que poner en práctica lo aprendido y demostrar sus buenas manos.

Los comentarios de los dos alevines fueron:

Miguel Socías: “Me lo he pasado muy bien, estoy algo cansado, pero ha valido la pena. He aprendido muchas cosas, entre ellas a mirar la presión de las gomas y a engrasar la cadena. Este fin de semana tendré la oportunidad de desarrollar estos conocimientos en carrera.”

Juan Carlos Resoagli: “Ha sido fantástico, hemos estado todo el día compitiendo Miguel y yo siempre bajo la atenta mirada de John y James que nos han estado corrigiendo nuestros fallos, lo mejor han sido las últimas tandas compitiendo nosotros dos contra John.”

Créditos fotos: Wolfgang Lindner

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25.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Top five drivers seperated by just six points as F2 arrives at Spa
Rounds five and six take place this weekend at legendary Belgian venue

After a wide open weekend in Brno, the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship rolls into the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium this weekend (26/27/28 June) for rounds five and six of the season.

Mirko Bortolotti currently holds the championship lead, but with the top five drivers separated by just six points he will have his work cut out defending his position. The Italian took a stylish maiden victory in Race One at Brno, but a spin when challenging for fifth in the second race allowed his rivals to close the gap.

Experienced Spaniard Andy Soucek will be hoping to carry his winning form into Spa, after capitalising on an error by Nicola De Marco to take victory in the second race at Brno. Soucek has previously scored podiums at Spa in Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2, and will be hoping to again be challenging at the front in Formula Two.

Separating Bortolotti and Soucek in the overall standings are the Red Bull duo of Robert Wickens and Mikhail Aleshin, and Frenchman Julien Jousse. Wickens lies second in the championship courtesy of a sensational opening weekend in Valencia where he took both pole positions and both race wins, but after failing to register a points finish at Brno he will be hoping to get his season back on track here in Belgium. Aleshin meanwhile lies third after a string of top-six finishes, but he too must bounce back from a non-finish in race two last weekend.

Elsewhere it was a weekend of mixed fortunes for De Marco, who impressed in Brno by taking pole for race one and leading much of race two, before a mistake dropped him down to third. Henry Surtees also impressed with pole for race two, but suffered heartbreak after failing to get away from the start. Henri Karjalainen was the surprise package of the weekend, the Finn taking his maiden points with fourth in the opening race, whilst Armaan Ebrahim had two storming drives through the field to take sixth in both races.

Cut into the forests of the Ardennes, the sweeping Spa-Francorchamps is set to provide some fantastic racing this weekend with many of the 25 F2 drivers having previous experience of the circuit. Incredibly 17 drivers have already scored points after just four rounds of the championship, with nine claiming podium finishes.

Championship leader Mirko Bortolotti said: “I’m really looking forward to Spa – this is the first time I’ve been here, which is a bit of a disadvantage, but the circuit has a great reputation and I think we will have a good package. I’m keen to do my best on Friday and to see where I stand. I can be very happy with my start in Formula Two this season, especially my victory, but the championship is long so I have to look forward and continue winning.”

Robert Wickens said: “Spa is the kind of track that you dream of driving when you’re young – it’s a blast! It’s also good timing as it allows me to get Brno out of my system quickly. I’ll be targeting wins and podiums this weekend, and I’m confident whatever the weather does. It’s just a matter of getting things together and not making the same mistakes we did in Brno.”

Andy Soucek said: “I have been in love with Spa since my first race here in Formula Renault 3.5, and I’m really looking forward to racing here in Formula Two. More than just my victory, I am very happy about the fact I have really closed on the top three drivers after Brno. From the first test my aim has been to win the championship, and I think Spa could set the tone for the rest of the season.”

www.formulatwo.com

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25.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Let’s discover the 1000 Km of Algarve timetable. This night race, which will take place on Saturday night, is announced as an exceptional round and will be the nail of a very complete show. There will be no less than six support races among which the CER, the Formula Le Mans, the Formula Renault 3.5…and a lot of other ones.

Under Portimao’s sun, teams and drivers will meet for the very first time since the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Even if the atmosphere will be very a summer one, the third round of the season promises to be…very hot!

Click here to read more

www.lemans-series.com.

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25.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

El Circuito de Los Ángeles acoge la cuarta cita del murciano de karting
SOCÍAS AMPLIA SU PROGRAMA Y CORRERÁ EN JUMILLA

Campanet, (Illes Balears, España), miércoles 24 de junio de 2009.
Vista la buena progresión del pilotaje de Miguel Socías a lo largo de esta
temporada, el equipo MS Motorsport ha decidido ampliar un poco su programa
deportivo y este fin de semana competirá en el Circuito Internacional de
Jumilla, el más grande de esta comunidad, que acogerá la cuarta prueba del
regional de karting de la región de Murcia. Esta es la segunda vez que este
certamen visita la comarca del altiplano, no obstante para el piloto de la
Escudería Mallorca Competició será su bautismo de fuego sobre este trazado.
Miguel Socías está preparando esta carrera de la mejor manera posible y hoy
y mañana entrenará en el Circuito de Llucmajor probando algunos reglajes
y nuevas configuraciones. Como viene siendo habitual el campaneter correrá
al volante de un kart AVK con motor Puma, aunque para esta ocasión empleará
un chasis corto cedido por Vicente Vallés. Las expectativas para esta cita son
alentadoras ya que se espera una buena participación al estar ya muchos de
los jóvenes pilotos de vacaciones.
En la jornada del sábado se realizarán las verificaciones técnicas y administrativas
y a la vez los participantes podrán realizar entrenamientos libres. En la matinal
del domingo se celebrarán los entrenamientos oficiales y las dos mangas de
carrera de cada categoría siendo los alevines los primeros en saltar a la pista.
Por otro lado está previsto que este meeting finalice sobre las 14:00 horas.
El balear al conocer la noticia sobre su participación en la carrera de Jumilla
nos comentaba:
"Para mí es una gran satisfacción que el equipo haya decidido ampliar mi
programa deportivo, además nunca he corrido en el Circuito de Jumilla, es
un trazado nuevo para mí, y ello es un motivo más para afrontar esta prueba
con gran motivación, espero hacer un buen resultado, aunque soy consciente
de que soy nuevo en esto y todavía tengo mucho que aprender, pero las ganas
de estar arriba, uno siempre las tiene."

Miguel Ferrer
tn.+34 619.674.644
www.ferbispress.com

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25.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

The final countdown has begun: there are now just days before the spectacular 2009 ‘Superleague Formula by Sonangol’ race series kicks off this weekend (27/28 France) at Magny-Cours in France.
The former home of the French Grand Prix not only will witness the start of what promises to be an even more dramatic second season for the ground breaking Superleague Formula series – that combines the gusto and exhilaration of premier league motor sport with the passion and obsession of football – but also will witness several significant evolutions for the dynamic championship.
Major new developments for 2009 include the arrival of three new soccer clubs, a thrilling new race format, the introduction of upgraded and more powerful V12 engines, the addition of three famous new venues, even more top class drivers as well as the advent of a new title sponsor following confirmation that Angolan-based multinational oil giant Sonangol has entered into an important two-year partnership with Superleague Formula.

As well as the three Superleage Formula headline races (see Super Final below), this weekend’s busy track schedule includes rounds of both the Euroseries 3000 and popular MitJets championships.
However, as always, there is far more to a Superleague Formula event than on-track action. Adding an extra fun dimension to each race weekend, meetings include a programme of off-track entertainment with festival activities for all ages to add extra value to the admission ticket. At Magny-Cours fans can enjoy a wide range of amusing entertainments including: stunt moto displays, slot car racing, minikarts, Playstation contests and many more.

An ‘open-to-all’ philosophy also allows fans to get access to the paddock, to the rear of the pit garages and to meet their football and racing heroes. Adding to the excitement, in the final build up to the opening weekend at Magny-Cours there will be a spectacular demonstration featuring the Olympique Lyonnais, Liverpool and AS Roma cars on the streets of the local city of Nevers. This dazzling street show is being organised by Superleague Formula, Magny Cours and the city hall.
Three new clubs:
The majority of those internationally renowned soccer clubs contesting the inaugural Superleague Formula are back for more action in 2009. This time, though, European champions such as AC Milan and Liverpool FC are joined on the 18-car grid by three ambitious rookies: FC Midtjylland, Olympique Lyonnais, and Sporting Clube de Portugal. Olympique Lyonnais is the series’ first French club and sure to be the ‘fans favourite’ this weekend at Magny-Cours.
New Super Final climax:
Magny-Cours will witness the introduction of an exciting new race format. As in 2008, race day will feature two 45-minutes showdowns, the second with a reverse starting grid taken from the finishing results of the first. However the action-packed schedule will now reach its thrilling climax with a third race for the top three finishers from the first two races. This special six-car ‘shoot-out’ will decide the overall ‘Weekend Winner’. Extra championship points will not be on offer but the final results will determine the distribution of each event’s €333,000 prize fund.
More powerful V12 engines:
Specially designed and manufactured exclusively for the series by Menard Competition Technologies in Oxfordshire, England, the advanced 4.2-litre V12 is fitted to all the single-seater racers that represent many of the world’s top football clubs on the vibrant Superleague Formula grid. Since its introduction in 2008, the high-tech 750+ horsepower engine has received widespread acclaim for both its power and reliability as well as for delivering stirring sounds, which have added greatly to the football-inspired fervor in the grandstands. Now, with a year’s racing experience successfully completed, MCT has introduced several significant upgrades aimed at increasing both power and durability. Notable new developments include an improved water system plus revisions to the oil system to reduce oil surge in high g-force corners.

www.superleagueformula.com

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25.6.2009 von Wolfgang.

Streckenlänge: 2,300 Kilometer
Rundenrekord:0:48,902 Minuten / Nico Hülkenberg 2008
Distanz: Sa: 35 Runden / So: 48 Runden
Sieger 2008: Nico Hülkenberg / Christian Vietoris
Der Norisring, wegen seines außergewöhnlichen Flairs auch „Deutsches Monaco“ genannt, ist am kommenden Wochenende Schauplatz der Saisonrennen fünf und sechs der Formel 3 Euro Serie. Das Rennwochenende auf dem nur 2,3 Kilometer langen Stadtkurs um die Steintribüne am Nürnberger Duzendteich ist traditionell der Saisonhöhepunkt der stärksten Nachwuchsserie der Welt. Der Franzose Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) reist als Führender der Tabelle in die fränkische Metropole, doch sein Vorsprung auf die beiden punktgleichen Zweitplatzierten Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport) und Sam Bird (Mücke Motorsport) ist mit zwei Punkten sehr gering.
Bianchis Verfolger standen jeweils schon zweimal in dieser Saison auf dem Podium und werden am Norisring beide versuchen, ihren ersten Sieg einzufahren. Das ist Bianchi bereits auf dem EuroSpeedway Lausitz gelungen. Der aktuell beste Rookie Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix) konnte zwar noch keinen Lauf der Euro Serie gewinnen, hat aber vor zwei Wochen das Masters of Formula 3, das wohl wichtigste Formel-3-Rennen Europas, für sich entschieden. Der Finne reist mit großem Selbstvertrauen nach Nürnberg und will seiner ersten Pole-Position, die er in der Lausitz eroberte, nun den ersten Sieg folgen lassen.
Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport): „Ich wohne nur 40 Kilometer vom Norisring entfernt und freue mich wahnsinnig auf das Rennen. Die Atmosphäre in Nürnberg ist immer etwas Besonderes. Die Strecke sieht zwar einfach aus, ist es aber nicht. Jede Kurve hat ihre Tücken. Wichtig ist beispielsweise, den Ausgang der Duzendteichkurve gut zu erwischen, damit man Schwung auf die Gerade mitnimmt, aber auch die Bremspunkte immer möglichst genau zu treffen. Mein Ziel ist die Top 8 und das sollte auch möglich sein.“

www.f3euroseries.com

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