[WTCC] Volvo enters two cars for Brands Hatch

[JMeissner]

The Volvo team Polestar Racing is going to take part in the World Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch. The team is going to take part with two cars for regular Swedish Touring Car Championship drivers Robert Dahlgren and Tommy Rustad.

"It is going to be very interesting to see where we are compared to Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini who are in the top of WTCC," said Dahlgren.

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=3689

Check the article for a drawing of their "new" design for the race.

[Jon411]

Its good that they are sending both cars over and it will make a great change to have a different team and manufacturer on the grid, I really hope they go well.

I guess the next question will be if they are going to do BTCC Snetterton 2 weeks later as was rumoured early in the year, as the next STCC race after Falkenberg is 2 weeks after BTCC Snetterton.

[touring fan01]

It was announced they are carrying the max ballast which is +60kg. So they aren't going to be very competitive.

[tin-top fan]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

It was announced they are carrying the max ballast which is +60kg. So they aren't going to be very competitive.

http://www.fiawtcc.com/html/uploaded...atch%20(2).pdf

Says that the volvos have 40kg's. So the same as the works BMWs and SEATs. Do that have late-entry ballast on top as well?

[BertMk2]

Good news the Volvo looked good last year so it's great to have two of them this time around. The more the merrier!

[FIRE]

Great news

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by tin-top fan

Says that the volvos have 40kg's. So the same as the works BMWs and SEATs. Do that have late-entry ballast on top as well?

The WTCC weight ballast system works from -20kg to +40kg, so when they say the cars are carrying 60kg it actually means they will be running at 40kg over base weight.

There's no additional late-entry ballast.

[awrb]

Very good news, another manufacturer showing interest in the series (Cant see why they would though and I'm a fan of the series!)

As for the Volvo to BTCC rumours, how will the new regs affect that. IIRC they were rumoured to want to run either the C30 or C50 (even though that car itself is just rumours). With the new BTCC rules, it's a lot less flexible with what can be entered, so could that sway Volvo into the WTCC full time?

I suppose it also depends on what the STCC does, whether it stick with the FIA or goes along with ToCA. If they go with the ToCA rules, I could see Volvo joining, but if STCC takes FIA rules, I don't think Volvo would build a new car for just the BTCC alongside a STCC and maybe WTCC effort with another.

Of course, if the new BTCC cars are as cheap as ToCA say, maybe they'll go for it anyway.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by tin-top fan

http://www.fiawtcc.com/html/uploadedFiles/PDF/CW_Brands%20Hatch%20(2).pdf

Says that the volvos have 40kg's. So the same as the works BMWs and SEATs.

I guess that means there wll be no extra penalty for them running with E85 either.

BTW, that list reveals something else that is interesting. Thommo will be at -20kg in his new Lada already at Brands. He might even make it into the points.

[touringlegend]

Good to see Volvo at Brands Hatch. Really like the C30's just wish they could be in Britain full time.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by awrb

As for the Volvo to BTCC rumours, how will the new regs affect that. IIRC they were rumoured to want to run either the C30 or C50 (even though that car itself is just rumours). With the new BTCC rules, it's a lot less flexible with what can be entered, so could that sway Volvo into the WTCC full time?

I think its the opposite. The WTCC rules (which change too in 2011) are less flexible than the new BTCC rules. The WTCC require expensive FIA homologation, dont allow 3 or 5 door cars etc. etc.

[Sodemo]

With every works team deserting the BTCC now, I think its unlikely Volvo would want to enter a team at the moment.

[awrb]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

I think its the opposite. The WTCC rules (which change too in 2011) are less flexible than the new BTCC rules. The WTCC require expensive FIA homologation, dont allow 3 or 5 door cars etc. etc.

5 door cars are fine in the WTCC.

But the BTCC states the length, and isn't there some rule saying that the three door must follow the same basic silhouette as the four door or something, so a C30 wouldn't be eligible again, and surely neither would a focus hatch.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by awrb

5 door cars are fine in the WTCC.

But the BTCC states the length, and isn't there some rule saying that the three door must follow the same basic silhouette as the four door or something, so a C30 wouldn't be eligible again, and surely neither would a focus hatch.

Sorry, I meant 2 and 3 doors (not 5).

But what I was trying to point out is that the BTCC, like the STCC, are more flexible in allowing those cars that the WTCC doesn't because they have local homologation and allowances. And the BTCC and the STCC have an agreement to accept each others local cars.

So that means the C30 is eligible and could compete in the BTCC until 2013 if they wanted to. But Volvo are not allowed to fully compete in the WTCC with the C30, other than some occassional non-points scoring and maximum ballast guest appearances like at Brands.

[FIRE]

I am almost sure that if Volvo wants to enter WTCC with a factory team and a long time commitment they are welcome. WTCC is also very flexible.

[Mike Sheraton]

ooo, cannot wait to see if the volvos join the btcc for sneterton!
would be great to get two competitive cars to challenge the bmws, chevys and vauxhalls. For all we know it may be a 'Taster session' If they do well, it may even see the manufacturer wanting to enter the btcc next year and then biuld new cars for the new regs
and i think as soon as the BTCC get a manufacturer to commit again, more will come.

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Excellent, can't wait for this event!!

======> goes and puts 2 chairs on the outside of paddock hill bend!! Im ready!!

[brands hatch]

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

Excellent, can't wait for this event!!

======> goes and puts 2 chairs on the outside of paddock hill bend!! Im ready!!

It will be excellent, can't wait!

I can't recall how many times i have been to Brands hatch, (most weekends for many years!) but it will be my first time camping! Should be good fun though!

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

Excellent, can't wait for this event!!

======> goes and puts 2 chairs on the outside of paddock hill bend!! Im ready!!

Im still here!!

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Originally Posted by brands hatch

It will be excellent, can't wait!

I can't recall how many times i have been to Brands hatch, (most weekends for many years!) but it will be my first time camping! Should be good fun though!

I have often fancied camping but im only 5mins from BH so can't really be bothered.

Hope the weather is good 4u

[brands hatch]

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

Hope the weather is good 4u

Cheers...friday night isnt looking great...hope the tent is still waterproof, its been a while since its been used

[ROB IS THE STIG]

Get a few beers in you and you'll be fine!!

Looking 4ward to the F2 support races!!

[Bryan Degerlund]

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

Get a few beers in you and you'll be fine!!

I think you will find "brands hatch" is too young to drink (officially)

[ROB IS THE STIG]

LOL when did that stop anyone!!

[brands hatch]

Originally Posted by Bryan Degerlund

I think you will find "brands hatch" is too young to drink (officially)

Maybe!--Only just!

Originally Posted by ROB IS THE STIG

LOL when did that stop anyone!!

Exactly!