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16-Year Old Pepe Oriola Signs Deal with SUNRED

The name Pepe Oriola may not say much to an average motor racing fan out there, but it might become more familiar to the diehard racing fans of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in the year to come. And that's because the Spaniard will become the youngest driver to ever compete in the aforementioned series, at the young age of 16.

Yes, we're not joking! At an age when most teenagers across the European continent are barely getting their drivers' license, Oriola will try to make a name of himself in the WTCC series at the wheel of a Seat Leon.

His first race in the FIA WTCC series will take place in Brazil, where the 2011 season kicks off. The team who'll watch over his first steps in the championship is SUNRED Engineering, for whom Oriola has signed a full-time deal for all the rounds of the 2011 season.

This is a dream that comes true. It will be tough to be the youngest in the field, but I'll do my best to have an impact. Obviously it will be difficult to fight for the title, but I will have the opportunity to learn from the best,” said Oriola, who was ranked 4th in last seasons Seat Leon EuroCup.

We are confident that Pepe is mature enough for delivering a great maiden season. He has the potential to provide more than a surprise,” added SUNRED principal Joan Orus.

Among other impressive results scored by the young Oriola through the last couple of years, one stands out from his first season in the 2009 SEAT Leon Supercopa, where he scored a podium in his first appearance in the championship, aged 15.
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