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 Thursday December 04, 2008 |
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WTCC - ROUNDS 11 & 12 - PUEBLA - PREVIEW |
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Written by Jeff Seabrook
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Monday July 24, 2006 |
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2006 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC)
Rounds 11 and 12 - 29th/30th July 2006 - Preview
From Brazil to Mexico: WTCC races in Puebla for the second time.
Munich, 24th July 2006. Six victories in ten races, 92 laps in the lead and first place in the drivers' classification. Following the first half of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the BMW national teams can draw a positive half-time report. In the remaining five events of the season, the drivers are determined to continue to show good performances. Next weekend, the BMW drivers will have their first opportunity to do so, when rounds 11 and 12 of the series will be held in Puebla, Mexico. Following the races in Brazil, the event at the "Autodromo Miguel E. Abed" is the second stop this year for the series outside Europe.
Andy Priaulx (GBR) of BMW Team UK travels to Central America as the leader in the Drivers' Championship with 44 points to his tally. It could, however, prove difficult for the 31-year-old to achieve his fifth victory of the season. Priaulx will be the first driver in WTCC history to enter a championship race with the maximum handicap weight of 80 kilograms. The BMW Team Germany drivers are also forced to carry additional ballast on the 3.36-kilometre circuit. Dirk Müller (GER) will take 50 kilograms on board, Jörg Müller (GER) 45 kilograms.
On the other hand, Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) and Duncan Huisman (NLD) will compete for BMW Team Italy-Spain without any additional handicap weight. Zanardi recently proved he is always capable of recording a good result, when third in the second race in Curitiba secured him a place on the podium. Huisman is also determined to collect points in his third WTCC appearance this season.
Due to the track's high altitude of 2,200 metres, the power output of the engines is reduced by approximately 20 percent at Puebla. This is, however, not the only distinctive characteristic of the "Autodromo Miguel E. Abed". It is the only race track on the WTCC calendar that includes sections of an oval.
Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
"The circuit in Puebla has been modified, particularly to increase safety, which was obviously the right decision. Overall, I don't believe the basic track characteristics have changed dramatically. In 2005, we experienced how difficult it is for us to be at the front in Puebla, especially when we're carrying a lot of weight. But I am familiar with this situation. Recently, I have been able to use the reversed starting grid to my advantage a few times and win, even with a lot of additional weight. Considering the 80 kilogram handicap, the track altitude and the particular layout of the circuit, however, I don't expect an easy race weekend. It was a special moment for me to be a part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the beginning of July. I was invited to drive the BMW Sauber F1 Team's car, as well as the BMW 320i with which I won the World Championship in 2005. It was great to be able to be in front of the British fans again. The weekend was simply fantastic. The same applies to my appearances in the Pit Lane Park. This theme park is just great for all Formula One fans."
History and background:
The drivers of the BMW national teams are quite familiar with the "Autodromo Miguel E. Abed" in Puebla. Last year, two of the FIA WTCC races took place here for the first time. At that time, however, Priaulx was the only current BMW driver who was able to collect a World Championship point in Mexico.
Despite the drivers' experiences in 2005, they will be forced to adapt to several changes as the track layout has been modified. The left-hander after the start/finish does not lead directly into the infield anymore, but into two right-hand corners leading to a section which was not in use last year. The drivers now remain in the oval until they reach the straight in the south-western part of the circuit. A 90-degree left corner eventually leads into the infield from here. Due to the modifications, the track length has increased from 3.13 to 3.36 kilometres. Because of this change, the races will be 15 instead of 18 laps.
Following the races in Curitiba, the teams' equipment was transported to the harbour of Itajai, Brazil, by 14 trucks. The ships were loaded with 28 containers holding the 25 WTCC cars, as well as all the necessary spare parts. The journey continued to Vera Cruz on the freight ship "Libra Santos". In the Mexican harbour city, the freight was then prepared for road transport once more. A truck convoy took the containers on the last part of their trip to Puebla.
Puebla, the capital city of the state with the same name, is populated by approximately 1.4 million inhabitants. The defining event in the town's history was the "Battle of Puebla", during which a French expedition corps attempted to invade the town on 5th May 1862. After local farmers were able to fight back the French army, May 5th became a Mexican national holiday. Because of its impressive colonial architecture, Puebla was named an official UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
From the city of Puebla it is possible to see the two Central American twin volcanoes, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. With a height of 5,462 meters, Popocatépetl, which is also called "El Popo", towers over its majestic neighbour by 176 metres.
Located 15 kilometres outside of Puebla are the city of Cholula and the Tepanapa pyramid. Based on its volume, it is the largest building of its kind in the world. The site is, however, hardly worth a visit. The pyramid is completely overgrown and, additionally, it was overbuilt several times over the course of its history.
In spring, BMW supported the "Festival de Mexico" as a partner for the eleventh time. This important cultural event annually attracts over one million visitors to Mexico City. Musicians, dancers and actors turn the capital city into a gigantic stage.
Both WTCC races will be run over 15 laps, which is an overall distance of 50.4 kilometres. The first race will begin on Sunday at 14:05hrs local time (20:05hrs BST), race 2 starts at 15:15hrs (21:15hrs BST). Due to the track modifications, the drivers will for the second time this year have the opportunity to become acquainted with a track during a 30-minute Friday test session.
Facts and figures:
Circuit / Date Autodromo Miguel E. Abed / 30th July 2006
Lap / Race distance 3.36 km/50.4 km (15 laps)
Winners 2005 Race 1: Fabrizio Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo)
Race 2: Peter Terting (SEAT)
Pole position 2005 Fabrizio Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo), 1:29.993 minutes
Fastest lap
2005 Race 1: Gabriele Tarquini, 1:30.587 minutes
Race 2: Fabrizio Giovanardi, 1:30.867 minutes
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