Photo: FIA media

Provisional entry list ETC cup released

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The third edition of the FIA European Touring Car Cup will take place on October 28th at the Adria Raceway, Italy. The provisional entry list is released and shows 32 drivers from ten different countires at the wheel of cars from 10 differecnt car manufacturers. New for this year is that cars in the 1600-category are allowed. Six cars have been entered for this category, while 28 of competitors will fight for the FIA Super 2000 Cup and 7 for the FIA Super Production Cup.

Some names are still to be unveiled, including those of the men who will drive the two SEAT León cars entered by the GR Asia team that dominated last year’s edition in Estoril.

In addition to the two FIA European Touring Car Cups for Super 2000 and Super Production drivers, the FIA Touring Car Nations Cup will be awarded for the second 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 for the first time last year in Estoril and won by the British Motor Sports Association.

The European Cup fully adopts the FIA World Touring Car Championship format: two 30-minute free practice sessions and one 30-minute qualifying session on Saturday; 15-minute warm-up and two 50 km (25 laps) races on Sunday. The grid for the second race is determined by the results of the first race, with the top-eight of the overall classification in reverse order. Four 60-minute test sessions will be held on Friday, October 26th.

Further to the requests coming from some National Sporting Authorities, Super 1600 cars will be accepted for the first time. “The Super 1600 class is becoming more and more popular in a number of national championships and the FIA Touring Car Commission is now working to establish common international regulations,” KSO General Manager Marcello Lotti explained. “Therefore it was the logical choice opening the door to these cars.” In order to encourage Super 1600 competitors, a special Yokohama Trophy has been created; a prize money of euro 10,000 will be awarded to the first four drivers classified in this category.

The event is promoted by the Italian Company Peroni Promotion, which also promotes the Italian Touring Car Championship. General entrance to the Adria Raceway for the FIA European Touring Car Cup will be free by presentation of the appropriate invitation. Invitations will be distributed through the regional newspapers and motor sport weekly magazines Autosprint and SportAutoMoto. Entrance to the paddock will be on sale for 10 Euro.

Eurosport will broadcast both the FIA European Touring Car Cup races live from Adria on Sunday 28th October. Race 1 will be televised on Eurosport International from 12.30 to 13.15; Race 2 on Eurosport 2 from 15.15 to 16.00 (all times are CET). Highlights of both races will be aired on Sunday evening by Eurosport International (19.00 to 19.45) and Eurosport 2 (from 23.15 to 00.15).