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WTCC newsletter #21

KARAMYSHEV FACES WTCC DEBUT
Russian driver Nikolay Karamyshev will make his first appearances in the World Touring Car Championship at Moscow and Porto, at the wheel of a SEAT León car run by Spanish outfit Campos Racing.

On the occasion of the Russian event at the Moscow Raceway, on June 9, the 24-year old from Kursk will replace Hugo Valente; the Spaniard will rejoin the championship for the overseas events.

In spite of his young age, Karamyshev has already grown a solid experience in touring car racing, especially in the FIA European Touring Car Cup and the Russian championship. Last year he grabbed the ETCC title for the Super Production class at the wheel of a Honda Civic and was classified third in the RTCC.

Karamyshev is currently taking part in the ETCC once again, fighting for the title of the Single-Make Trophy class; at the wheel of a SEAT León he won the second race of the opening race meeting at Monza.

LADA WAS SECOND FASTEST IN AUSTRIA
James Thompson's ninth place in the first race in Austria last Sunday, has been the best placing for the LADA Sport Lukoil team so far in the current season. An encouraging result in view of the next race meeting at the Moscow Raceway.

However, more than the two points scored by the Briton in the Drivers' Championship, lap times proved that performance of the LADA Granta car is improving. After topping the time sheet in Sunday morning's warm up, during the second race at the Salzburgring Thompson clocked the second fastest lap of 1:27.059, slower than Yvan Muller's 1:26.875, but faster than race winner James Nash's 1:27.180.

"I'm satisfied with the results. We scored points and were fastest in the warm-up. However even the ninth place in Race 1 doesn't fully reflect the potential speed of our car. I had some contact with one of the drivers and broke the front suspension, so my main goal in the second part of the race was just to finish it. In Race 2 I started from 17th but managed to overtake some of our competitors, although it was very difficult. But we still did it and even set the second-fastest lap in the race," said Thompson.
Team principal Victor Shapovalov commented: "I'm pleased that all our hard work is starting to bring in some results. This has been an extremely positive weekend for LADA. The pace of the car is definitely improving. This is something that we saw in the warm-up and also in Race 2. We need just a little more luck and a little more pace to be closer to the pack. I'm also very happy with Mikhail's progress, as in Race 2, he had almost the same pace as James."

YOUNG GUESTS FOR BARTH AND YOKOHAMA
Fredy Barth and Yokohama Switzerland set up a praiseworthy action last weekend, during the WTCC event at the Salzburgring.
In the scope of their support to "Kind und Krebs" (Kids and Cancer), a Switzerland-based medical research foundation which helps kids to benefit from new therapies and suitable medicines - Barth and Yokohama invited seven young-patients to attend the race meeting.

On Saturday evening the young guests enjoyed a bus-ride on the circuit and visited the Wiechers-Sport garage, where Barth provided technical and sporting information about the car, team and championship.

On Sunday the seven boys and girls were treated like VIP guests in the Yokohama hospitality and received copies of the 2012 WTCC yearbook signed by all drivers. Later on they were shown the Yokohama service area and attended the tyre fitting process.
Finally they participated in the WTCC grid walk and watched the races from the grandstand.

"The kids were totally happy and very much enjoyed their day at WTCC. Yokohama and Fredy Barth offered them a ‘money-can't buy' experience," commented Farid Al-Samarrai, Yokohama Department Manager European Motorsport.

SOME FAMOUS WORDS FROM SALZBURGRING
Marcello Lotti, after qualifying: "... it is not permitted to drive too slowly and without any reason... This is what happened; all those drivers were driving around the track at 46kph. It's really too slow!"

Rob Huff, after qualifying: "I've never experienced crashing in first gear in a line of ten cars in qualifying before, but I experienced it today!"

James Nash, after Race 2: "When Muller passed Michelisz, for the first time I looked at how many laps there were to go."

Stefano D'Aste: "We have managed to be competitive again, for the first time from some times and this makes me confident for the next races."

Tom Coronel, after Race 2: "Towards the end, there was a crash involving several BMWs. I saw that coming, I braked hard and could avoid the mayhem."

Norbert Michelisz: "After this weekend, it is quite obvious that we have the biggest disadvantage on the straights, so that should be the area we need to focus on."

Daisuke Horiuchi, Honda R&D: "It is important that we look at possible improvements in aerodynamics for the next race."

Yvan Muller: "I never expected to have such a point advantage in the championship - it's much larger than at the same point last year - but we will see."