NEWS ARCHIVE
The FIA, in agreement with promoter KSO, decided to cancel as a case of Force Majeure the second race meeting of the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship scheduled to take place in Puebla, Mexico, on April 11th. The FIA’s decision is based on security reports from the region and follows close consultation and guidance from OMDAI, the Mexican National Sporting Authority.
The WTCC, together witn HSBC and the Municipality of Curitiba, once again made a contribution towards the aid of the starving people of Brazil. As they did in the previous three years, free tickets were offered to the public in exchange for two kilograms of food. 43 tonnes of food were collected and donated to the charity society Instituto Pró-Cidadania de Curitiba who will distribute them to those in need. The amount of food collected by WTCC since 2007 totals 152 tonnes.
History repeated in Brazil with Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini taking a victory apiece for the second year in succession in Curitiba and leaving Brazil as joint leaders of the Drivers Championship, the only difference being the teams they are competing for. The Chevrolet team commanded Race 1 with all three of their drivers filling the podium. The good points haul means the USA brand comes away from Curitiba leading the Manufacturers’ Championship with 70 points.
Gabriele TARQUINI – Winner of Race 2: “We have no team orders so it was a great race. I had a tough time over the winter but in qualifying the car was great. The plan was to get a podium and maybe a win and I did that so it’s a fantastic start to the season. The SR-Sport team have done a fantastic job. I feel really satisfied and this victory is special. Last year I knew I could fight for the title but this year my plan is to score some victories and the first one is here.“
Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini led SR-Sport team mate Jordi Gené across the line for a SEAT León TDI one-two, over 5-seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Chevrolet’s Alain Menu rounded out the podium. After the earlier downpour, Race 2 was a different story with a dry track and bright sunshine. Poleman Tom Coronel had a terrible start ending in the gravel at turn one after contact with Rob Huff and then slowly creeping back to the pits.
Yvan Muller led team mates Rob Huff and Alain Menu across the finish line for an all Chevrolet podium at the opening round of the WTCC in Curitiba. A torrential downpour before the start meant the race began behind the Safety Car, but as the drivers came through to start the race two laps later, Muller capitalised on having a clear view from pole position to lead the chasing pack into the first corner.
The SR-Sport cars of Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro sport the sticker “www.saveafonso.com” in support of the website established by Macau driver André Couto to find a donor for a bone marrow transplant for his son Afonso. The 6-year old boy is currently hospitalized at Porto’s Oncological Hospital after he was diagnosed with leukaemia last November. The bone marrow transplant could save his life. Other WTCC drivers, including Andy Priaulx and Tom Coronel are giving their support.
Yvan MULLER – pole position: “My colour has changed from last year but I’m always pleased to be on pole. It’s a good way to start the season and good for building relations with my new team. I am happy for them as it shows all the hard work over the winter has paid off as the Chevrolets are placed first, third and fourth on the grid.”
Former champion Yvan Muller will be on pole for Race 1 in Curitiba tomorrow, for the second year in succession. In a closely fought session the top seven cars ended within 0.2 seconds of each other. Chevrolet dominated the session with Alain Menu (1:23.829) and Rob Huff (1:23.833) being placed third and fourth. Only Jordi Gené in his SEAT León TDI managed to split the team mates by jumping to second with his lap of 1:23.757 in the dying seconds.
