After a long six week break the FIA World Touring Car Championship kicks back into action this weekend with the first of the flyaway races as the cars and drivers head to Curitiba, Brazil for the eighth round of the 2012 season. For the Arena run Team Aon squad, along with drivers Tom Chilton and James Nash, this marks the first time they will have raced at the Brazilian track.
Entering the WTCC for the first time in 2012, Team Aon have already made headway as they look to develop the Global Ford Focus while also racing in the highly competitive series. Having picked up a string of solid results, Chilton and Nash look to Curitiba with confidence after two positive test days at British race track Snetterton earlier this month.
The relatively short Curitiba track features a mixture of high to medium speed corners with a long 1km start/finish straight. This will offer the greatest overtaking opportunity of the lap as the cars have the chance to line up behind one another after the tricky Curva da Vitoria final corner.
Team Aon have been using the time since Portugal to work on the development of the Global Ford Focus. Two test sessions at Snetterton have proved valuable to the team; working on a variety of aspects to the car before heading to yet another brand new circuit as the 2012 season continues with the flyaway races.
Looking ahead to the challenges of another new track Tom Chilton said, Since Portugal weve had two very positive test days at Snetterton where weve been able to learn a lot more about the cars engine, suspension and aero package which stands us in good stead for this race and the rest of the season.
Ive never been to Brazil before but Im looking forward to the challenges of a new track and Im excited to get back out racing after the long break since the last round. From what Ive seen of the circuit the final corner looks as though it could be a challenge for the tyres but we wont really know more until we hit the track on Friday.
Team mate James Nash added, I cant wait to get back into competition. While Ive been really busy with PR and Sponsor work, and a lot of simulator work there is no substitute for getting behind the wheel of a racing car in competition. Since the last event in Portugal the team have been busy testing some developments for the Ford Focus, so I cant wait get on track again and see what steps forward weve made.
Team Aon