BRC Racing Team prepares for Pau-Arnos
BRC Racing Team is aiming for more podiums this weekend (October 16-17) in Pau-Arnos as the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup heads to Race of France for the sixth round of the 2021 season.
BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse claimed an emphatic Race 2 victory in the Czech Republic last weekend with Norbert Michelisz powering his Hyundai Elantra N TCR to the top step of the podium. His team-mate Gabriele Tarquini finished the first race in 10th, but was taken out by another car in the opening lap of the second race.
The team hopes to leverage its winning momentum from the previous round and continue to fight at the front of the pack in Pau-Arnos. The main target is an upward trajectory in the championship standings, in which it is currently sixth, while in the drivers’ battle Michelisz and Tarquini are 11th and 14th.
The second consecutive new event on the revised 2021 WTCR calendar, Race of France, will be the first time an FIA series will race at the Circuit Pau-Arnos. Measuring 3.030km in length, the track features just seven corners for drivers to contend with. With no teams boasting previous experience of the circuit, the two free practice sessions will play a crucial role in getting up to speed.
Race of France begins with two free practice sessions on Saturday 16th October, followed by qualifying. This sets the grid for Race 2 (21 laps), with the top ten reversed for Race 1 (18 laps).
Team Principal of BRC Hyundai N LUKOIL Squadra Corse Gabriele Rizzo said: “While the entire team was elated with our victory last weekend, we know that there is still work to be done to ensure we remain on a successful streak of results. It wasn’t easy to win the race in the Czech Republic, and we will face a similar challenge at the Race of France as we venture into the unknown in Pau-Arnos. The motivation is high to bring home good results; we just need to maximise each session to extract the full performance possible from the Hyundai Elantra N TCR.”
Gabriele Tarquini said: “Circuit Pau-Arnos is another new track for me! I’ve watched some videos to try to get to know the track, but once again free practice will be very important to find our feet in time for a good qualifying effort. It is difficult to know what to expect from the weekend when you have never been to a circuit before, but I believe we have a strong package with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR that will allow us to fight in France.”
Norbert?Michelisz?said: “I’m looking forward to Race of France and experiencing another circuit. Last weekend in the Czech Republic we were able to get up to speed with a brand new track quite quickly and got through to the pole position shoot-out with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. Our goal is to attempt a repeat performance at Circuit Pau-Arnos and challenge at the front of the pack in qualifying and the races to ensure we score as many points as possible for the championship.”