More ETCC news, Alfa, BMW, Honda, Nissan and Volvo info

[JMeissner]

More ETCC news

ETCC 05/11/01

BMW

Since it was decided to introduce the Super Production+ rules the number of starting cars for the 2002 ETCC season grew quickly. BMW has announced that they will come with at least 6 cars, and this does not include privately owned BMW's with update kits bought from BMW.
"We are developing a update-kit for the customers who wants to upgrade their Super Production cars. We have guaranteed that at least 6 BMW will be at the start line. But since there are many more ready Super Production cars we will probably see many more. The 17" wheels in the new rules are no problems and when it comes to the aerodynamic it is only small changes," says Dr.Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport, to stcc.se.

Volvo

It was earlier uncertain if Volvo would come to start in the ETCC 2002 at all.
But we have learned from certain sources that Volvo will come to start
officially with at least one car. Rickard Rydell will most certainly be behind
the wheel, but according to Motoring News Prodrive, who tunes the Volvo S60
cars, ran a test with Rickard Rydell, Alain Menu and Jan Lindblom behind the
wheel.

Rumours has it that the Swedish team Flash Engineering, which ran the STCC
Volvo team this year, will run one two-car team in the ETCC 2002. Team owner
Janne "Flash" Nilsson will of course be behind the wheel, but it has also been
reported that Jan Lindblom could drive the second car.

Nissan

Nissan was representated by RJN Motorsport in the ETCC this year with one car
only. Tommy Rustad made an excellent second half of the season with several
polepositions and race wins. RJN Motorsport is belived to get the contract from
Nissan to run two to four cars officially. It has also been said that Nissan will
switch to the new Primera during the 2002 season, the old Primera will then
only be run by privateer and/or semi official teams.

No drivers has been signed, but to assume that Tommy Rustad would drive one
of the cars isn't too far off. Swedish team Elgh Motorsport, who ran the Nissan
STCC team this year, will most probably enter with a two car team. Rumours
say that Elgh Motorsport tried to get the contract to run one of the
semi-official Volvo teams but got beaten by Flash Engineering. Instead they
will get two updated Super Production Nissan Primeras from RJN Motorsport
for ETCC 2002. Drivers Carl Rosenblad and Henrik Roos, both from Sweden, are
supposed to get behind the wheel.

Alfa Romeo

There hasn't been much said about the Alfa Romeo ETCC programme for ETCC
2002. TouringCarTimes recived inside information earlier this year that Alfa
would run their new Alfa 156 GTA model in the ETCC. But since the Super
Proudction+ rules will be used for 2002 the GTA model will probably not be
seen until 2003 when the new Super 2000 rules will be taken in place.

Instead Alfa will probably run their 147-model which has been run in the ETCC
this year quite succesfully with semi official status. No drivers has been
mentioned, but Larini and Giovanardi are supposed to get new contracts. Alfa
has promised that six cars will be on the grid.

Honda

As written in an earlier article Honda will also be on the grid with their new
model Civic Type-R. Honda has gotten a dispensation from the ETCC
organisation allowing them to use this 2-door model even though the rules
demand four-door cars. But this dispensation demands Honda to switch to the
four-door model Accord in 2003 to the new Super 2000 rules. Honda is only
expected to come with a two-car team this year.

Johan Meissner
johan@meissner.se