[WTCC] Race 1 & 2 - Curitiba (BRA), 1/2 March 2008

[FIRE]

Schedule

Test session has just started.

[OJB]

Farfus fastest in first test, but its pretty close. Top 11 covered by just 1 second.

http://dnl.fiawtcc.com/results/14729/result_226376.pdf

[touring fan01]

Only 21 cars and more than 50% of them are BMW's.

Not very impressive is it?

[touringlegend]

I'd wait till we're back in Europe before really judging the grid.

[Stefvh]

21, exactly like last year.

[OJB]

There are 3 more full-time entries to come - 1 Honda and 2 Ladas (hopefully...). It's more of a case of spot the BMWs in the Indy category - only Corthals is running a SEAT.

Also, I see SEAT aren't running those, erm, lurid coloured wheels this weekend.

[Bramzel]

Thank god they arent. Also a clear difference between 2 parts of that team; Tarquini and Gene run Valeo sponsoring, while Rydell, Monteiro and Muller are running Red Bull.

Good spread by the way. Surprised to see Engstler quite far back, expected him faster. It seems Okyay and Romanov can have a nice little scrap at the back, they're superclose together at 2 seconds from the rest of the field.

[FIRE]

It looks the Engstler Bimmers have good backing from Liqui Moly, it's a shame they put not a pro-driver in the 2nd car.


Live timing not working?

[Robbe]

Live timing was working for me, J Müller fastest in front of Menu, Farfus, Larini, Huff and Y Muller; best independent Corthals.

[FIRE]

Results practice 1

[touringlegend]

Good to see the Chevy's doing well so far. We badly need them to do well in the races to save this championship being dominated by BMW's and Seat's.

[E46]

I begin to think Leon TDI won´t competitive anymore. Maybe the secret is to cry (so much) like Eric Neve does.

[FIRE]

Results practice 2

The TDI's are indeed struggling. Sandbagging?

So far Tielemans is doing well.

At 19:00 CET qualifying.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by E46

Maybe the secret is to cry (so much) like Eric Neve does.

I think Neve got training from Puig actually They do courses together in 'Whine to talk us past BMW instead of working on the cars like they do'

[OJB]

I reckon the TDI's will be up there come qualifying - I can imagine they've spent most of practice concentrating on getting set-up right to look after their tyres as that's where they've struggled before.

[duke_toaster]

Is quali starting at 18:00 WET (In 23 minutes) or 18:00 CET (One and a half hours or so)?

[gregc]

Eurosport listings say it starts at 18:00 UK time

[Vicky B]

Quali starts in 10 mins. (19:00 CET)

[Knowlesy]

I hope Chevrolet and also Priaulx do the business this year.

I hope SEAT are banned for running an engine damaging to motorsport and its spectacle.

[E46]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I hope SEAT are banned for running an engine damaging to motorsport and its spectacle.

Say so in Le Mans 24 hours.

[Knowlesy]

I have done so.

If I want silent cars I'll play Scalextric.

Anyhow, back to the racing... Menu has shunted.

[FIRE]

Heavy crash for Menu. Same corner as last year.

[Knowlesy]

That bid for consistency is off to the best possible start.

[rdjones]

That was a big hit for Menu.

[stedevil]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

I think Neve got training from Puig actually They do courses together in 'Whine to talk us past BMW instead of working on the cars like they do'

BMW does their fair share of whining as well. Just remember the start of the 2007 WTCC season... they even managed to biatch and whine enough to get an overal weight drop because 1 of the races being a rolling start... WTF!?!

With only 3 big teams they have way too much leverage/influence on the governing body. Hopefully we will see 3-5 more manufacturers in the future and no extra random rules crap for any manufacturer.