Photo: Michel Nykjær

Nykjær: Independents Trophy is the goal

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Michel Nykjær will draw on the experience of his SUNRED teammates in his quest to win the WTCC Independents Trophy this season. World Champion Gabriele Tarquini is among the four car SR-Sport team that will run alongside SUNRED Engineering’s Nykjær in the 2010 WTCC, and the reigning DTC Champion sees that as an advantage.

“Thanks to the SUNRED team I can draw from the vast experience of drivers like former Formula One driver Gabriele Tarquini, and I already feel myself well prepared for the challenges. My goal for 2010 is to win the Independents Trophy,” said the double European Touring Car Cup winner.

The Dane has spent the past two days testing at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit alongside 2010 teammates Tarquini, Tom Coronel, Jordi Gené and Tiago Monteiro.

Speaking to his official website, Nykjær said, “To beat Coronel is my first goal.”

SUNRED Chief Engineer Xavier Serra was more than happy with Nykjær’s performance in Spain.

“On a wet surface Michel is already on level with the best, but on a dry track he lacks maybe a half second because he needs to adjust his driving style from a gasoline-engined car to that of a diesel-powered car like the Seat Leon TDI.”

Nykjær made his WTCC debut in September 2009 at Oscherleben in a Performance Racing run Chevrolet Lacetti, with 2010 marking his first full season campaign in the World Championship.