The initial plan was for the championship to open up 2011 action at the Interlagos F1 circuit, but the move was abandoned due to logistic issues linked with ongoing construction work at the site. Under the circumstances, the FIA WTCC field will continue to head for Curitiba, where Race of Brazil has been held for the past 5 years.
In addition to the news, it was confirmed that the FIA WTCC has signed a 3-year partnership with Vicar Promoções Desportivas for the promotion of the Brazilian race. The same company is also known to promote Copa Caixa Stock Car (also known as V8 Stock Car), an event that will run in parallel to the WTCC round at Curitiba this season. Whether this will happen each year until 2013, that's yet to be confirmed.
“After five years as a stand-alone event, WTCC is now facing an important development through this partnership with Vicar,” announced Lotti.
“The opportunity of sharing the event with the Copa Caixa Stock Car and the outstanding joint promotion set up by Vicar will greatly enhance the world championship’s popularity in Brazil. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Municipality of Curitiba that enthusiastically keeps on supporting the WTCC event in Brazil."
“It’s very important for our company to become promoter of an event which is part of a World Championship. We believe that being part of the same race meeting will be a benefit for both series, the WTCC and the Copa Caixa Stock Car, as the Brazilian motorsport enthusiasts will be treated to the great show of two top-level categories racing in the same weekend,” added a statement from Vicar.
The venue switch is yet to be approved by the FIA.
Google News