WTCC 2008 Off-season: News & Rumours

[Bramzel]

I'd say that Cobalt would look pretty mean with a S2000 bodykit, the Lacetti is extremely boring design-wise in my opinion. GM is developing a new model though, which will be the replacement for both cars.

[OJB]

The Lacetti will continue to be used in 2008 - that is pretty certain. Then something new (provided Chevrolet continue, and it hasn't been confirmed beyond this year....) will be developed.

[Ellmau]

Zanardi not in WTCC next year?

http://www.touringcartimes.com/news.php?id=1432

[FIRE]

It's a shame if he leaves WTCC because he's a great personality and good promotion for WTCC. But I think a driver change (Fisichella, Liuzzi, Pantano?) at BMW Italy could result in more victories or even a WC title. Zanardi is a good driver but sometimes his Italian temperament is causing crashes.

[Ellmau]

I don't think it would. I don't think Fisichella, Liuzzi or Pantano are that good that they will be able to change so quickly from single seaters to touringcars. Häkkinen, Alesi and Monteiro didn't do that either.

(plus that Zanardi is my hero )

[Bramzel]

I won't be too dissapointed to see him leave. Yes, it is a fantastic personality and an admirable person, yes it is a great name for the series. But on the other hand in my opinion it is also a driver who lets his emotions take over the wheel way to often and therefor will never be a consistent frontrunner. The Oschersleben incident wasn't the only incident we've seen with him over the last years so to speak.

[touringlegend]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

I don't think it would. I don't think Fisichella, Liuzzi or Pantano are that good that they will be able to change so quickly from single seaters to touringcars. Häkkinen, Alesi and Monteiro didn't do that either.

(plus that Zanardi is my hero )

Fisichella had a spell in the DTM around 1996 before Formula 1. I can't recall his success though.

[Go_For_Pole]

Little. He also attempted to drive for Alfa in the final race of the 03 (or 02, do not remember) season in Monza but he destroyed his 156 in qualifying and Monica Sipsz was not impressed enough.

[Robbe]

Fisichella was in ITC 1996 and one of the best Alfa drivers. P6 overall (only Nannini better), gave one victory to Nannini.

Monza was a disaster though.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Fisichella had a spell in the DTM around 1996 before Formula 1. I can't recall his success though.

Almost as succesfull as his period with Minardi

[Lam Pak]

whatsoever with Brilliance China wtcc car? Ready for 2008?

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by Lam Pak

whatsoever with Brilliance China wtcc car? Ready for 2008?

Oops, you made a typo there. I'm sure you ment 2018

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

Oops, you made a typo there. I'm sure you ment 2018

C'mon, that's hard to make a mistake like that!. It likely they meant 2080. 2800 would be ridiculous. By 2080, they should get a very well sorted out S2000 car. That will definitely give BMW and the other makes a run for their money.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by kmchow

C'mon, that's hard to make a mistake like that!. It likely they meant 2080. 2800 would be ridiculous. By 2080, they should get a very well sorted out S2000 car. That will definitely give BMW and the other makes a run for their money.

By the time they've build a very well sorted out S2000 car, S2000 won't excist anymore

[kmchow]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

By the time they've build a very well sorted out S2000 car, S2000 won't excist anymore

Yeah, it would exist--in a motorsport museum! They can put their well developed S2000 Brilliance car in their own Brilliance museum.

Both the stillborn Volvo DTM 760 sedan and Zakspeed DTM Volvo C70 are in Volvo's museum.

[429CJ]

Originally Posted by Lam Pak

whatsoever with Brilliance China wtcc car? Ready for 2008?

Brilliance failed so miserably on ADAC crash test, I wonder if even a safety cage can make it safe enough to race.

[cos]

Provisional 2008 WTCC calendar was announced today...

2 March Brazil Curitiba
6 April Mexico TBA
18 May Spain Valencia
1 June France Pau
15 June Czech Republic Brno
6 July Portugal Estoril
27 July Sweden Anderstop
31 August Germany Oschersleben
21 September Great Britain Brands Hatch
5 October Italy Monza
26 October/2 November Japan Okayama
16 November China Macau

[werner]

The Okayama circuit in Japan is maybe better known as Aida. In the mid-ninethies, the GP of the Pacific was held there. Not a great succes, due to the twistiness of the circuit. For touringcars it might be better though. A few nice corners, the hairpin after the backstraight is very good overtaking opportunity. There are some mickey mousesections as well though, but thats' good for equality.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by kmchow

Yeah, it would exist--in a motorsport museum! They can put their well developed S2000 Brilliance car in their own Brilliance museum.

Both the stillborn Volvo DTM 760 sedan and Zakspeed DTM Volvo C70 are in Volvo's museum.

That must going to be one small museum.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by 429CJ

Brilliance failed so miserably on ADAC crash test, I wonder if even a safety cage can make it safe enough to race.

Well yeah, they failed at the NCAP test too. But still that road car is much saver than the cars that were produced before the NCAP test was introduced. So most of the cars on European roads are less save than that Brilliance.

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by werner

The Okayama circuit in Japan is maybe better known as Aida. In the mid-ninethies, the GP of the Pacific was held there. Not a great succes, due to the twistiness of the circuit. For touringcars it might be better though. A few nice corners, the hairpin after the backstraight is very good overtaking opportunity. There are some mickey mousesections as well though, but thats' good for equality.

Ah, is it that circuit. I always loved to drive that track in GP2 :')
Did they do any changes to it since F1 left there? Is it still a privately owned track? I remember it was in the backyard of a wealthy Japanese guy.

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by Ellmau

Well yeah, they failed at the NCAP test too. But still that road car is much saver than the cars that were produced before the NCAP test was introduced. So most of the cars on European roads are less save than that Brilliance.

Brilliance revised the car and now claims 3 stars in NCAP test.

[Mr Pink]

The calender looks nice! Good to se Estoril instead of Porto.

However I really don´t like Oschersleben, they should do the german run on Sachsenring!

[Ellmau]

Originally Posted by Mr Pink

Good to se Estoril instead of Porto.

How on earth can that be a good thing? Haven't you seen any races on that track? It's even more boring as a visit to the Brilliance museum.

[werner]

I'm in favor of Estoril to. It's safer, witch can as well save al lot of damage, and make the results more likely to be a real resemblance of performance. Add to that the probably better views for spectators, and the fact that no city has to be disrupted for a week or so.