WTCC teams ready to hit the track

Everything is set at the Salzburgring for the debut of the World Touring Car Championship, as track action will begin tomorrow with two free practice sessions at 9.00 and 11.45.

The weather has significantly improved after rain and very cold temperatures plagued the first half of the week. Forecast for the weekend are for sunshine and warm temperature, in spite of the snow that whitens the peaks around the track.

Only a couple of drivers (Franz Engstler and Pepe Oriola) have recent memories of the Austrian circuit, while Yvan Muller’s and Gabriele Tarquini’s experience here date back to fifteen and more years ago.

“To be honest I don’t remember much of it,” said Tarquini. “I took a look at the notes from 1999, when I raced here in the German Super Touring Championship. But this did not help me either and I discovered that I had an accident at the Östschleife…”

Muller’s memories are even older: “I raced here in 1997, but that was many years ago and it doesn’t really represent any advantage. It is a very fast track with no slow corners; a pleasant circuit to race on, but also demanding. The back uphill section has two long right corners that pose enormous stress on the front left tire.”