Newsletter 49/ WTCC

Newsletter 49/ WTCC

FOCUS WTCC ROAD CAR IS SET TO BE A HIT Team Arena’s Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition road car that was launched at Macau during the final meeting of the 2012 FIA WTCC, is already arousing a huge interest among fans and dealers.The car, that was used as the leading car during the rolling start lap for Macau’s Race 1 has been developed by Arena and built to celebrate Ford’s return to the WTCC; it also benefits of a Ford warranty that includes the specially upgraded engine.The striking looking car is finished in Ford’s Artic White and comes complete with the very same decals that appear on the WTCC racers, including the traditional navy blue racing stripes.Under the bonnet, the car features a 1.6 turbocharged ecoboost engine that has been upgraded by Arena’s race engine partner Mountune Performance to deliver 202 bhp and sits on Team Dynamics alloy wheels identical to those of the racing car, with Yokohama low profile tyres. A Mountune Performance developed short-shift gear change and a Powerflow exhaust also feature on this exciting car.The Focus WTCC Limited Edition will be offered for sale globally with a run of just 2,000 worldwide planned.

MENU GUEST STAR AT MICHEL VAILLANT’S LAUNCH Alain Menu was the guest star at the launch of ‘Au nom du fils’, first comic book of the series Michel Vaillant New Season, that took place last Friday in Paris at the FNAC Montparnasse shop.Menu, who earlier this year had played Michel Vaillant’s role on the racing track during the WTCC Race of Portugal in Portimão at the wheel of a Chevrolet Cruze car disguised as a Vaillante, joined the Studio Graton team on the stage during a crowded press conference.Afterwards, the Swiss racers signed copies of the new comic books together with Michel Vaillant’s scenarists Philip Graton and Denis Lapière, and illustrators Marc Bourgne and Benjiamin Benéteau. Earlier on Friday, the five of them had visited Eurosport headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, for another signing session.The comic book ‘Au nom du fils’, that is set in the FIA World Touring Car Championship and features Michel Vaillant racing against the likes of Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini, Tom Coronel, etc, is now for sale in all the bookshops.

DUTCH TEAM DREAM OF THE WTCC Nederland-based Vuik Racing are setting up a programme to take part next year in the German ADAC Procar championship. But at the same time, team-principal and driver Henk Vuik doesn’t conceal his dream to race in the WTCC.In 2013 the team will run two Mercedes C200 cars. “One is the former Thate Motosport car driven by Jens Weimann, while the sister car has been raced in the Scandinavian Touring Car Cup by G-Rex Motorsport,” Vuik explained.Vuik and his team have built themselves a reputation in the Formula Ford Euro Cup (4th classified in 2000) and Dutch and Benelux championships, before they switched to touring cars this year.“I was looking for a new challenge and took part in the Burando Production Open (the Dutch Touring Car Championship) winning three races! Now we are ready to step up to the ADAC Procar. Both cars have been fitted with new suspension developed in the STCC, and I think they have the potential to win races,” said Vuik.The plans for 2013 have been set, but Vuik has already a secret dream.“My dream is to take part with my team in the WTCC, and to race a Mercedes A-Class powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine…” Image and information, courtesy of www.adac-procar.de

Fabio Ravaioli - FIA WTCC Media Delegate