THE EUROPEAN CROATIA RALLY UNVEILED

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The promotion in the FIA European Championship calendar – of which it will be the third seasonal round after the 1000 Miglia in Italy and the Elpa in Greece – has given even more enthusiasm to the organizers of the Croatia Rally, who have prepared for the 2011 edition an even more interesting, meaningful and complete event.
The 2011 Croatia Rally 2011 has been designed to offer not only a selective and attractive route for the drivers, but also to give them the maximum exposure, mediatic return and direct contact with the public, and it will turn one of the most followed and important competitions in Croatia also in a non-sporting event.
In fact, the rally will have its service area in the pedestrian zone in the very centre of the town of Rijeka : a clear sign of the expectation and passion surrounding the event, and of the interest which the local authorities have towards it . The new format of the race, which will see the town of Rijeka host the start, finish and logistic headquarters from May 19th to 21st, is already available, together with most of the detailed information, on the event website www.croatia-rally.com .

WTCC AND STOCK CAR IN JOINT EVENT AT CURITIBA

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The FIA World Touring Car Championship and the Copa Caixa Stock Car, Brazil’s most popular racing car series, will kick off the 2011 season together on March 20th.
The race meeting will take place at the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba that has hosted the WTCC Race of Brazil from 2006 to 2010.
The plan to move the event to Interlagos was dropped because of logistic issues connected to fact that the circuit is undergoing renovation works. The change back to Curitiba is now subjected to the approval of the FIA.
WTCC is pleased to announce the signing of a three-year agreement with Vicar Promoções Desportivas, promoter of the Copa Caixa Stock Car, that will also be promoter of the WTCC Race of Brazil in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
In 2011 WTCC and Stock Car will feature in a joint event that is set to become one of the highlights of the international and Brazilian motorsport season, presenting fans and media alike with the excitement of the very best of touring car racing in the same weekend.
WTCC promoter Marcello Lotti commented on the agreement: "After five years as a stand-alone event, WTCC is now facing an important development through this partnership with Vicar. The opportunity of sharing the event with the Copa Caixa Stock Car and the outstanding joint promotion set up by Vicar will greatly enhance the world championship’s popularity in Brazil. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Municipality of Curitiba that enthusiastically keeps on supporting the WTCC event in Brazil."
A note from Vicar said: "It’s very important for our company to become promoter of an event which is part of a World Championship. We believe that being part of the same race meeting will be a benefit for both series, the WTCC and the Copa Caixa Stock Car, as the Brazilian motorsport enthusiasts will be treated to the great show of two top-level categories racing in the same weekend."


Curitiba will host the WTCC season’s opener for the fifth consecutive year

www.fiawtcc.com

Le Mans Classic 2012

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Le Mans Classic 2012 : c’est déjà demain !

C’est officiel, la sixième édition du Mans Classic aura lieu les 6, 7 et 8 juillet 2012. Une annonce très attendue par tous les passionnés impatients de participer une nouvelle fois à la grande fête de l’automobile historique. Trois jours durant, les plus belles voitures de collection se succèderont sur le Grand Circuit du Mans pour revivre les heures de gloire de la course mythique des 24 Heures du Mans. En dehors de la compétition, les spectateurs pourront partager un moment de convivialité dans une ambiance unique où Gentlemen Drivers, pilotes en herbe, clubs et exposants se côtoieront. La recette du succès reste la même avec le village, les animations, la vente aux enchères, la course ou encore la parade Little Big Mans, devenue l’un des instants clés du week-end.

  Rendez-vous les 6, 7 et 8 juillet 2012 pour une nouvelle édition du Mans Classic.

Le Mans Classic 2012: already tomorrow!

It is now official: the sixth edition of Le Mans Classic will be held on 6, 7 and 8 July 2012. This announcement was eagerly awaited by the many enthusiasts impatient to participate once again in the big classic car event. For three days, some of the most beautiful collection cars will follow each other on the Big Le Mans Circuit and relive the glorious hours of the mythical 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to the competition, the spectators will share a convivial moment in a unique atmosphere bringing together Gentlemen Drivers, budding young drivers, clubs and exhibitors. The recipe of success remains the same with the village, the activities, the auction, the race and of course the Little Big Mans parade, now one of the week-end’s key moments. 

An appointment is made on 6, 7 and 8 July 2012 for a new edition of Le Mans Classic.

Van Asseldonk bei Van Amersfoort

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Rookie im Cup: Hannes van Asseldonk

Niederländisches Team, niederländischer Fahrer, niederländische Namen – bei Van Amersfoort Racing wird Hannes van Asseldonk im ATS Formel-3-Cup 2011 eines der drei Cockpits besetzten. Der 19-Jährige wurde am 02. Februar 2011 in seiner Heimat als neuer Formel-3-Pilot präsentiert. Van Asseldonk nimmt damit auch an der internen Wertung SONAX Rookie-Pokal teil.
Van-Amersfoort-Racing, eines der führenden Teams im ATS Formel-3-Cup, wird unter anderem mit dem Niederländer Hannes van Asseldonk in Deutschlands schnellster Formel-Rennserie an den Start gehen. Van Asseldonk wechselt aus der Formel BMW Europa in die deutsche Formel 3. „Ich freue mich sehr, mit so einem erfolgreichen Team wie Van Amersfoort Racing in so eine renommierte Serie einsteigen zu können“, strahlt dieser bei der Präsentation seines neuen Fahrzeuges.
Hannes van Asseldonk kommt aus Boekel, einer Gemeinde im Dreieck der niederländischen Städte s-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven und Venlo gelegen. Dort wird vor allem Motocross groß geschrieben. Deshalb verwundert es nicht, dass Van Asseldonk auf einer grünen Kawasaki einst sein Motorsportdebüt feierte. 2006 erfolgte der Umstieg in den Kartsport, ehe er dann 2010 in die Formel BMW Europa ins Team Josef Kaufmann Racing wechselte.
Nach einigen vielversprechenden Tests soll nun der nächste, große Karriereschritt erfolgen: der Einstieg in den ATS Formel-3-Cup. Neben den 18 Rennen sind auch 15 Testtage angesetzt. „Ich weiß, dass ich noch viel lernen muss“, so der junge Niederländer. „Trotzdem bin ich optimistisch, dass ich mich schnell an die Formel-3-Verhältnisse gewöhnen werde und schnell um Punkte, Podiumsplätze und hoffentlich auch um Siege kämpfen kann.“
Auch Teamchef Frits van Amersfoort freut sich über den Neuzugang: „Van Amersfoort Racing hat schon immer versucht, mit niederländischen Fahrern zu arbeiten, mit Carlo van Dam haben wir beispielsweise den ATS Formel-3-Cup 2007 gewonnen. Hannes hat großes Potenzial, das haben die Wintertests gezeigt, deshalb freuen wir uns auf eine starke gemeinsame Saison.“
Van Asseldonk, der am 01. Januar 1992 geboren wurde und noch vier Schwestern hat, kann sich seinen niederländischen Fans in der Saison 2011 mehrmals auf heimischem Terrain präsentieren. Der ATS Formel-3-Cup wird zwei Mal auf dem TT-Circuit im niederländischen Assen zu Gast sein.

www.formel3.de

DAVID SALOM DESTACA EN SU PRIMER TEST OFICIAL DE LA TEMPORADA

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Excelentes resultados del piloto mallorquín en el primer test oficial de la temporada para el Campeonato del Mundo de Supersport.
Salom acudía al test de Portimao con los deberes hechos, después de unas primeras tomas de contacto con la Kawasaki ZX6 del equipo Provec, consiguiendo una buena adaptación a su nueva montura.
En la primera tanda de entrenamientos, sobre seco, David Salom se hacía con el mejor tiempo parando el crono en 1:47,134, no se podía empezar mejor la jornada de pruebas en Portugal, contento con el resultado y concentrado en mejorar siempre como objetivo principal.
En la siguiente sesión todos los pilotos bajaron sus tiempos y apretaban al máximo para conseguir el mejor crono, que lograba al final, el británico Lowes tan sólo 0,086 segundos por delante de David Salom que bajaba su marca en más de un segundo y medio, consiguiendo el segundo mejor tiempo con 1:45,931.
A partir del jueves la lluvia seria la protagonista en el trazado luso y el equipo aprovechaba para probar algunos cambios en la configuración de mojado de la moto. Consiguiendo el viernes el segundo mejor tiempo también sobre mojado, a tan sólo 0,16 segundos del primero.
Pero no todo han sido buenas noticias, ya que terminando la tanda de entrenamientos del viernes, Salom ha sufrido una caída que le ha costado la rotura de la cabeza de la pelvis y deberá reposar unos días antes de volver a entrenar.
La lesión no reviste gravedad y Salom estará preparado y al 100% para la primera prueba del Campeonato el próximo día 27 en Philip Island.
David Salom: "Estoy muy contento porque mi adaptación a la Kawasaki está siendo muy buena, me encuentro cómodo y puedo ir muy rápido. Hemos conseguido un tiempo excelente y pienso que podemos estar delante con este equipo, luchar por el pódium y por la victoria.
La caída ha sido lo único malo de estos tres días, he abierto mas gas de la cuenta y eso se paga, a mi me ha costado un hueso roto, pero estaré al 100% para la primera prueba y preparado para luchar por los resultados."

Departamento de prensa David Salom
Piloto Mundial de Supersport
www.davidsalom.com   prensa@davidsalom.com
Calle Jeroni Pou   Esquina Reina Constança    Palma de Mallorca    T. 971 291 321   M. 616 99 26 87

WTCC AUDIENCE IS SET TO BREAK THE HALF-BILLION WALL

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TV audience for the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship improved by ten percent compared to the previous season. The figures were unveiled by Eurosport Events, the championship promoter, following the annual broadcast report published by independent German Institute IFM.
Despite the championship was run on eleven events, one less than in 2009, audience figures of the WTCC HD programmes during the 2010 season recorded a gain of 40 million viewers compared to the previous year.
During 900 hours of coverage, the cumulative global reach totalled to 470 million viewers worldwide, against the record figure of 430 millions achieved in 2009.
Especially good performances were delivered by free-to-air channels in Germany (RTL) and Japan (TXN network, which includes TV Tokyo and TV Osaka).
Overall, 51% of broadcast duration has been delivered in Asia, whereas Europe still represents 65% of cumulative audience.
The TV distribution of WTCC is increasing year after year, with 86 channels under contract in 2010. Eurosport, the "host broadcaster" of WTCC and its live coverage throughout Europe and Asia Pacific, reached 38.9 million different viewers. Eurosport’s viewership now represents less than 9 per cent of WTCC’s worldwide cumulated audience. An evidence that WTCC TV coverage is steadily expanding all around the world.
Ulrich Lacher, managing director of IFM, commented: "Despite the FIFA World Cup was dominating sports global coverage for about two months, the WTCC continued to grow just like in the previous years. This was due to the growing popularity as a result of the good TV distribution of the series, which has made its way onto a number of major national networks in key motorsport markets like Japan, USA, China and Germany."
WTCC can now look at another record breaking season in 2011, with the conservative aim of exceeding the symbolic mark of half-billion viewers.


2010 was another record season for WTCC TV audience

TARQUINI AND DUDUKALO TESTED AT LLEIDA
Only a few days afther they tested in Barcelona last week, SUNRED Engineering moved to Lleida, located in the middle of Catalunya region, for another test session.
Gabriele Tarquini and Russian youngster Aleksey Dudukalo shared testing duties for two days with very low temperatures.
"We had to work hard on the set up to compensate the cold. The team focused to help Aleksey in getting to know the car and Gabriele’s support was crucial as he showed him all the secrets to drive the SEAT León Tdi at a fast and effective pace," team engineer Conrado Avila explained.
Dudukalo completed the two-day testing without any mechanical or driving problem.  
"We were very pleased with the job Aleksei and Gabriele have done at Lleida and now we can focus on preparing cars and parts for the shipping to Brazil," Avila concluded.


Gabriele Tarquini and Aleksei Dudukalo tested this week in Lleida, Spain

www.fiawtcc.com

Nelson Panciatici joins the KMP Racing team

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Nelson Panciatici has joined the Franco-Russian KMP Racing team for the World Series by Renault Formula 3.5 championship.

Having spent a year with Lotus Junior Racing, the French driver, 22, Spanish vice-champion of Formula 3 in 2008, is ready to step into the fray and fight for the title.

“I improved all through last year and I learnt a lot. I feel pretty confident now that I can go for the title this year,” says Nelson Panciatici.

“To start with, I’m going to have to win some races. To be a KMP Racing driver gives me that opportunity and I’m going to work hard to maximise my chance of success. I got to appreciate the quality of the team’s work during the winter trials and I’ve already picked up a few “tricks” with regards to the car’s performance. Even though you never know how a new season is going to pan out, I feel quietly confident.

Not only do I have technical staff who know the discipline, I also have Bruno to give me sound advice. It is a real bonus to have an ex-pilot at the head of a team because they know what we need to go fast. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity and I want to thank the team for putting their trust in me.”

Bruno Besson, Team Manager of the KMP Racing team, says : “I followed Nelson’s progress closely all of last year and he fits our ethos perfectly. We got to know each other better during the winter trials, he’s a “winner” and I like that quality. Nelson has the skill to finish in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship. However, it is a very competitive championship and one can lose ten places for a small one or two tenths of a second in the qualifiers. Hard work and success will be key to take the title.”

Nelson Panciatici has applied himself really hard physically and mentally to prepare for what could be a landmark season. His main objective will be to win the title, how he gels with the team will be decisive to get to pole position, without which one cannot hope to win!

For more information on Nelson Panciatici, please visit: www.nelsonpancia.com


Join Nelson’s Fan Club on Facebook !

Thiemo Storz to make Formula Two bow in 2011

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German confirms participation in F2’s third season following positive debut in winter testing

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Germany’s Thiemo Storz will contest his maiden season in international single seater racing after becoming the latest name to be confirmed for the 2011 FIA Formula Two Championship.

Storz has enjoyed success in a wide variety of series since making his single seater debut in 2008 – including a dominant campaign in the 2009 Formula 2000 Light Italy series, where he claimed nine wins, ten podiums and 11 poles from the 11 races.

Still only 19, Storz elected to sit out much of the 2010 season in order to prepare for his final exams. He did however test in a multitude of championships in order to assess his options for 2011, including a successful spell in Formula Palmer Audi where he finished second behind champion Nigel Moore in his maiden race at Rockingham. He gained his first experience of the Williams JPH1B F2 car when he joined all four days of winter testing at Portimão and Barcelona at the end of 2010.

"Formula Two is a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m very excited to be joining," Storz said. "It’s a quality championship, with a great car, fantastic calendar and very good price, and I’m very happy to be a part of it this year.

"In 2010 I didn’t do much racing mainly because I was focussing on my education, but I did use the time to test in a lot of series to find a solution for 2011 and we came across F2. I feel it is the perfect moment for me to join, and also the perfect moment for F2 in motorsport – if you look at the prize, the price and what the championship offers you, its absolutely one of the best series in the world for young drivers like me!

"It’s a bit difficult to know exactly how I’ll get on in 2011, but winter testing gave me a lot of confidence in the car and I was constantly around the top ten, so it would be good to repeat that kind of performance during the season. There are some great events, especially racing at the Nürburgring which for me will be very special, and I hope to keep improving throughout the year so that I can be fighting for podiums at the end."

Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Chief Executive, said: "Thiemo did a fantastic job when he first raced with us in Formula Palmer Audi in 2010 when I was impressed with his pace and competitiveness from the very start.  Although some may think F2 is a big step for Thiemo, we have seen time and again how the total equivalence of car performance in F2 and ability to learn rapidly by comparison with the fastest enables relatively inexperienced drivers to be very close to front running pace, often surprising and impressing with their results.  I have no doubt Thiemo will do just that in F2 during 2011.”

www.formulatwo.com

Jubiläums-Engagement beim ‚Ball des Sports 2011’

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Wiesbaden. Europas erfolgreichste Sport-Benefiz-Gala, der ‚Ball des Sports’, findet am 5. Februar erneut in den Wiesbadener Rhein-Main-Hallen statt. In diesem Jahr unterstützt die DTM bereits zum fünften Mal in Folge die Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe bei der Ausrichtung dieses exklusiven Abends.
„Die DTM ist nun seit fünf Jahren Partner der Deutschen Sporthilfe im Rahmen des ‚Ball des Sports’ und leistet alljährlich einen bemerkenswerten Beitrag. Allein durch die Unterstützung unserer Förderer ist es überhaupt möglich, eine nationale Veranstaltung auf einem solch hohen Niveau durchzuführen. Ich freue mich sehr, dass wir auch künftig mit dieser Partnerschaft rechnen können und sich die DTM als erfolgreiches internationales Motorsportformat für Sportarten außerhalb der Rennstrecke engagiert“, so Dr. Michael Ilgner, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Stiftung Deutsche Sporthilfe. Seit 2007 übernimmt die populärste internationale Tourenwagenserie mit dem ‚DTM Race Club’ die Organisation der offiziellen After-Show-Party im Rahmen der Veranstaltung.
Bei diesem gesellschaftlichen Ereignis dürfen natürlich auch DTM-Piloten nicht fehlen: So werden sich Timo Scheider (Audi) und seine Lebensgefährtin Jessica Hinterseer, Martin Tomczyk (Audi) und seine Verlobte Christina Surer sowie die Mercedes-Benz-Piloten Jamie Green und Gary Paffett unter die illustre Ball-Gesellschaft mischen. Neben den DTM-Fahrern der beiden Premium-Automobilhersteller wird auch der ITR e.V. (DTM-Rechteinhaber und Vermarkter) gleich durch mehrere Vorstände in Wiesbaden vertreten: Hans Werner Aufrecht, Dr. Thomas Betzler und Jürgen Pippig sind bei der 41. Auflage des ‚Ball des Sports’ mit von der Partie. „Uns war es schon immer ein Anliegen als erfolgreiche Rennserie auch soziale Verantwortung zu übernehmen und diesbezüglich Engagement zu zeigen. Ich kann schon jetzt mitteilen, dass wir unsere Unterstützung der Deutschen Sporthilfe in Zukunft noch einmal intensivieren werden“, verrät Dr. Thomas Betzler, Vorstand für Recht und Finanzen beim ITR e.V.
Die Schirmherrschaft für den Ball unter dem Motto „Bewegende Momente“ übernimmt in diesem Jahr erstmals Bundespräsident Christian Wulff. Erwartet werden namhafte Gäste aus Sport, Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft. Angekündigt haben sich u.a. Franziska van Almsick, Rainer Calmund, Felix Magath, Matthias Steiner, Hans-Joachim Stuck, unzählige Top-Athleten der verschiedensten Sportarten sowie zahlreiche Bundes- und Landespolitiker. Durch den Abend führt traditionell Johannes B. Kerner. Musikalisches Highlight wird die Mitternachtsshow im großen Ballsaal: Unter dem Synonym „Alive & Swingin’“ haben sich Xavier Naidoo, Sasha, Rea Garvey (Reamonn) und Michael Mittermeier zusammengetan, um einen Tribut an das berühmte „Rat Pack“ der 60er Jahre zu zollen.
Parallel zum Programm im großen Saal öffnet ab 22:00 Uhr die Erlebniswelt der Veranstaltungs-Partner und lädt zum Flanieren ein. Seinen Abschluss findet die Nacht der ‚Bewegenden Momente’ dann im ‚DTM Race Club’, wo alle Ballgäste etwas Rennatmosphäre schnuppern können.

www.dtm.com

Jolyon Palmer graduates to GP2 with Arden

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2010 F2 runner-up to partner Josef Král for GP2 Asia and Main Series campaigns

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2010 FIA Formula Two Championship runner-up Jolyon Palmer will graduate to GP2 for the forthcoming season after signing a deal to contest both the Asia and Main Series championships with Arden International.

Palmer’s progression into GP2 follows an outstanding campaign in Formula Two in which he claimed five race wins and ten podiums, and remained in contention for the title until the final round of the year. He also recorded the most successful weekend of any driver, taking a superb two pole positions and two race wins at Monza in May.

Jolyon, who only recently turned 20, has previous experience of GP2 having joined the series‘ official winter tests at Abu Dhabi in November last year – where he impressed by regularly breaking into the top ten despite being one of the youngest drivers in the field. Arden meanwhile have a proud history in GP2, having won races in every year of the F1-feeder series’ history.

"I’m really excited to be joining the Arden GP2 Team for 2011, and I can’t wait for the season to start," Jolyon enthused. "It’s obviously going to be very tough, as indeed it should be, but Arden are a very good team who have won races in every year of GP2 and I’m confident I can do a good job.

"It’s going to be difficult, because last year in F2 I was one of the more experienced guys and now I’m a rookie again in a series with some of the world’s best young drivers, but given time and experience I hope I can be challenging at the very sharp end. I wouldn’t have entered if I didn’t believe in myself and you can’t improve unless you’re competing against the top drivers in the world, so I’m looking forward to rising to the challenge.

"I feel confident that two seasons of Formula Two have given me a very good grounding and really helped me develop as a driver, especially through the data sharing concept which really is the best way for young drivers to learn.

"Now I really need to reward the faith shown in me by Arden through my performances – I need to be on it from the outset and start the Main Series on the right foot. Ultimately my goal is Formula One, and with a lot of hard work, application and of course results hopefully that will be a realistic possibility for me."

Arden founder Mr Horner commented: "We are delighted to have Josef and Jolyon join our team for GP2 Asia and Main Series in 2011. Both drivers are young but have a lot of talent, which I’m sure we will see throughout the year. Despite Josef’s modest attendance in GP2 last year, he has shown a good understanding of the GP2 car and collaborated well with the team during the Abu Dhabi test. Jolyon demonstrated strength during the post-season tests and will no doubt be a front-running rookie. We look forward to a successful year together."

Formula Two Series Director Jonathan Palmer said: "I am obviously delighted Jolyon will be racing in GP2 this year with Arden. His strong rookie GP2 testing performance in Abu Dhabi was sufficiently encouraging to Jolyon, the GP2 teams and me to demonstrate that F2 is not only very competitive but also provides excellent experience to lead directly to GP2 for a young driver. It is clearly going to be a big challenge and I’m sure like most drivers he will need several seasons to reach his peak. Arden is great team for Jolyon to be with; they have a great history and proven ability to help drivers develop."

www.formulatwo.com

Pedro Vallcaneras – Renovación con el Ymes Folch Endurance

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El piloto balear Pedro Vallcaneras ha renovado con el Ymes Folch Endurance, equipo con el que ha participado en el Mundial de Resistencia en el 2010, consiguiendo como mejor resultado la tercera posición en el Bol d’Or, una prueba de 24 horas celebrada el circuito de Magny Cours (Francia), el pasado 11 de septiembre. Tras puntuar en tres de las seis pruebas de las que contaba el certamen, el equipo que dirige José Mª Folch consiguió acabar en la séptima posición final. Otro resultado digno de mención, es la segunda posición en las 6 Horas de Bahreim, una prueba fuera del calendario, pero que contó con la presencia de los mejores equipos del Mundial de Resistencia.

El calendario del 2011 constará de seis pruebas, dos de 24, tres de 8 y una de 6 horas. La temporada comenzará el 16 de abril con las 24 horas Bol d’Or, continuando con la cita española, las 8 Horas de Albacete el 21 de mayo. Suzuka será el escenario de la tercera prueba, el 31 de julio, mientras que el 21 de agosto se celebrarán las 6 Horas de Donington, una prueba de corta duración que hará su estreno en este certamen. En septiembre se celebrarán las 24 Horas de Le Mans, para acabar el campeonato dos meses después con las 8 Horas de Doha Qatar.

Pedro Vallcaneras ya ha comenzado una exhaustiva preparación para llegar en óptimas condiciones a la primera carrera, aunque antes, en breves semanas, el Ymes Folch Endurance celebrará unos test’s para poner toda "la maquinaria" a punto.

!cid_F0795C4D-67D8-44E2-A7FA-8C979ED9AD54@Belkin pedrovall

Koldo Zuazaga – Ferbis Press