The fourth edition of the FIA European Touring Car Cup will take place on October 19th at the Salzburgring, Austria.
This will be the first FIA event at the 4.2 km superfast racetrack located 15 km East of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's home town since twenty-three years, as the Salzburgring used to be a regular venue for the European Touring Car Championship from 1970 to 1985.
Austrian ace Dieter Quester claimed three ETCC victories there, in 1975, 1977 and 1980, always at the wheel of BMW cars.
SHORT STORY OF THE EUROPEAN CUP
The FIA European Touring Car Cup is reserved for cars complying with the FIA Super 2000, Super Production and (from this year) Super 1600 technical regulations. Drivers' titles are awarded for each of the three categories.
The first edition, held in Valellunga, Italy, on 16th October 2005 was won by Richard Göransson from Sweden in a BMW 320i (Super 2000) and Lorenzo Falessi from Italy in an Alfa Romeo 147 (Super Production).
The second edition took place in Estoril, Portugal, on 22nd October 2006 and saw victories of Ryan Sharp from Scotland in a SEAT León (Super 2000) and Alexander Lvov from Russia in a Honda Civic (Super Production).
In last year's edition, hosted by the Italian Adria Raceway, on 28th October 2008, Denmark's Michel Nykjær (SEAT León) and Russia's Aleksey Basov (Honda Civic) claimed the Super 2000 and Super Production titles respectively. Super 1600 cars made their first appearance, but they were only allowed to compete for a dedicated trophy that was won by Jens-Guido Weimann from Germany in a Ford Fiesta ST.
NATIONS CUP AWARDED FOR THE SECOND TIME
In addition to the three FIA European Touring Car Cups for Super 2000, Super Production and Super 1600 drivers, the FIA Touring Car Nations Cup will be awarded for the third time.
This title goes to the National Sporting Authority (ASN) whose drivers have scored the highest number of points in the two races. The best two cars entered by competitors belonging to same ASN will be taken into consideration for the Nations Cup's classification.
The Nations Cup was awarded to the British Motor Sports Association in 2006 and the Dansk Automobil Sports Union in 2007.
COMPETITORS MAY ENTER FROM TODAY
Applications to compete in the Cup must be submitted to the FIA, from today until four weeks prior to the event.
Applicants must use the proper entry form that may be requested to the FIA or KSO, accompanied by entry fees of Euro 4,000 (Super 2000) or 2,000 (Super Production and Super 1600).
For further information: Nunzia Corvino, email: nunzia.corvino@fiawtcc.com.
ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE PART IN THE CUP
To be eligible for the European Cup, drivers must take part in a minimum of 50% of the National Championships and Series that adopt the FIA Super 2000, Super Production or Super 1600 technical regulations: Baltic States, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Competitors from other countries may be designated by their own ASN.
Eligibility may also be obtained by participating in the following qualifying events:
a) Vallelunga, Italy, 13th April 2008
b) Braga, Portugal, 14th September 2008
c) Sachsenring, Germany, 21st September 2008
- Fabio Ravaioli - FIA ETCC -
