WTCC targets round in the USA

**nadepalma** · 10-10-2009, 12:26 PM

WTCC targets round in the USA
October 9th 2009

The World Touring Car Championship is eyeing a first race in the United States in 2011, revealed this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.

Series promoter Marcello Lotti wants to take the WTCC to the US to help attract new manufacturers, and Ford is believed to be evaluating entering the WTCC with its new Focus model.

The manufacturer has already committed to a World Rally Championship programme which will use the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the WTCC from 2011.

Lotti says the two most likely venues for the North American round are the road course layout at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Laguna Seca.

MORE AT AutoSport.com

**nadepalma** · 10-10-2009, 12:28 PM

I'd like to see this happen - especially as the Cruze starts selling in the US.

Having Ford jumps into the mix would also be good to start pushing the next Focus.

I don't think we'll see Dodge or Chrysler join WTCC though; Alfa Romeo already competes in the WTCC and since Fiat is in charge at Auburn Hills, its unlikely we'll see their vehicles racing anytime soon.

Still good news though...

Novak454 · 10-10-2009, 02:11 PM

This would be awsome... along the lines of why Corvette went to GT2 = more in line with "real" cars people can buy...
And with the disillusionment with NASCAR and the C.O.T. making it like watching an IROC race every weekend, I think this could really make an impact with perception and thus assist marketing.
Frankly, if I saw that Cruze sitting in a lot next to a DI 2.0 turbo SS Cruze (DO IT !), that would hit home alot more than some one-off SEMA project or NASCAR also-ran on a poster in the showroom...

By the way, that race Cruze is freakin' sweet!

mbukukanyau · 10-10-2009, 02:28 PM

I would make the pilgrimage to see this. My other hope is to see cadillac take on the DTM Series.

stevecmh · 10-10-2009, 03:44 PM

its a cool looking race car.. i would be nice to see it in America

benroethig · 10-10-2009, 04:14 PM

Laguna Seca should be the only venue they look at. Still, they better not be expecting either the red carpet or attendance similar to their european races. This is a niche series here.

Suziebob · 10-10-2009, 04:14 PM

Can someone give me some info on the cars from the WTCC? Are they actually FWD? And does GM run their team in house or is it outsourced to someone else?

Toto · 10-10-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suziebob

Can someone give me some info on the cars from the WTCC? Are they actually FWD? And does GM run their team in house or is it outsourced to someone else?

http://www.fiawtcc.com/

SDRacing · 10-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Dont forget Watkins Glen, very fast layout.

m100 · 10-10-2009, 07:23 PM

+1 on Watkins Glen

Nothing wrong with FWD...it saved Jason Plato

You Tube

mbukukanyau · 10-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m100

+1 on Watkins Glen

Nothing wrong with FWD...it saved Jason Plato

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPCGnkApnDU

Who won the race? So, the BMW was being creamed and he decided to play dirty? Factory corvettes should join that series and just creme em...

m100 · 10-10-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Who won the race? So, the BMW was being creamed and he decided to play dirty? Factory corvettes should join that series and just creme em...

According to their site, I believe Plato (in the Chevrolet-Daewoo Lacetti) won, and handily beat the BMW guy in the points at the end of the season.

RedVee8 · 10-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Who won the race? So, the BMW was being creamed and he decided to play dirty? Factory corvettes should join that series and just creme em...

Dont think they'll let the Corvettes race in a 2litre sedan category somehow.

rsbaker · 10-10-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m100

+1 on Watkins Glen

Nothing wrong with FWD...it saved Jason Plato

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPCGnkApnDU

That's a great video!!! This would be a great race series if they could get some actual television coverage. NASCAR sucks!...it also sucks the air out of all other racing media coverage. We need to see other racing, what ever else it turns out to be, in the US. WTCC or SCCA. I want to see "REAL" cars racing. The video above shows how exciting it can be and best of all we know GM can compete with anyone...in other words, May the best car win!

vsd · 10-10-2009, 11:04 PM

I didn't know they raced Ladas in the WTCC, looks like I have a favorite manufacturer in that series now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsbaker

That's a great video!!! This would be a great race series if they could get some actual television coverage. NASCAR sucks!...it also sucks the air out of all other racing media coverage. We need to see other racing, what ever else it turns out to be, in the US. WTCC or SCCA. I want to see "REAL" cars racing. The video above shows how exciting it can be and best of all we know GM can compete with anyone...in other words, May the best car win!

They just started showing WRC in the US on HDnet. That's good news for me since rally is my favorite type of racing.

10-10-2009, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 6,690	WTCC targets round in the USA WTCC targets round in the USA October 9th 2009 The World Touring Car Championship is eyeing a first race in the United States in 2011, revealed this week's AUTOSPORT magazine. Series promoter Marcello Lotti wants to take the WTCC to the US to help attract new manufacturers, and Ford is believed to be evaluating entering the WTCC with its new Focus model. The manufacturer has already committed to a World Rally Championship programme which will use the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the WTCC from 2011. Lotti says the two most likely venues for the North American round are the road course layout at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Laguna Seca. MORE AT AutoSport.com __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln

10-10-2009, 12:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 6,690	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA I'd like to see this happen - especially as the Cruze starts selling in the US. Having Ford jumps into the mix would also be good to start pushing the next Focus. I don't think we'll see Dodge or Chrysler join WTCC though; Alfa Romeo already competes in the WTCC and since Fiat is in charge at Auburn Hills, its unlikely we'll see their vehicles racing anytime soon. Still good news though... __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln

10-10-2009, 02:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Novak454 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan - What's left of it... Drives: 2005 Vibe 2006 GTO Posts: 235	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA This would be awsome... along the lines of why Corvette went to GT2 = more in line with "real" cars people can buy... And with the disillusionment with NASCAR and the C.O.T. making it like watching an IROC race every weekend, I think this could really make an impact with perception and thus assist marketing. Frankly, if I saw that Cruze sitting in a lot next to a DI 2.0 turbo SS Cruze (DO IT !), that would hit home alot more than some one-off SEMA project or NASCAR also-ran on a poster in the showroom... By the way, that race Cruze is freakin' sweet! __________________ Good bye GM I knew...

10-10-2009, 02:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
mbukukanyau Chevrolet VOLT Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In front of my computer Drives: 2006 HHR 1995 Honda Pasport SUV Posts: 10,013	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA I would make the pilgrimage to see this. My other hope is to see cadillac take on the DTM Series.

10-10-2009, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
stevecmh 6.2 Liter LS3 V8 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Muskego, WI Drives: 04' Grand Prix GT 08' Pierce Impel Ladder Truck Posts: 3,867	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA its a cool looking race car.. i would be nice to see it in America

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10-10-2009, 04:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
benroethig 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,643	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA Laguna Seca should be the only venue they look at. Still, they better not be expecting either the red carpet or attendance similar to their european races. This is a niche series here.

10-10-2009, 04:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Suziebob 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southwestern Virginia Drives: 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Coupe Posts: 671	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA Can someone give me some info on the cars from the WTCC? Are they actually FWD? And does GM run their team in house or is it outsourced to someone else?

10-10-2009, 07:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
SDRacing 3.6 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Huffman, Tx Drives: 95 Chevy C1500 2003 Tahoe Z71 Posts: 1,188	Re: WTCC targets round in the USA Dont forget Watkins Glen, very fast layout. __________________ 1995 Silverado 1/2 ton RC: 350/Auto 2003 Chevy Tahoe Z71 2004 Honda CRF450R

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