WTCC to visit the Hungaroring, Michelisz to race at home

2011. április 13. 13:52 | még nem szólt hozzá senki.  szerző: Viktor Adorjan

The 2011 season of the FIA World Touring Car Championship is set to feature another highlight by including a home race for Zengő Dension Team’s Norbert Michelisz who will be given a chance to shine in front of the home crowd with his BMW 320 TC racecar.

Series organizers have announced that Hungaroring will replace the previously cancelled race in Marrakesh and will welcome Round 4 of the FIA World Touring Car Championship on the 5th of June 2011. The race just outside the Hungarian Capital will be one of the two rounds that will be hosted by a state of the art Formula One venue.

Touring cars are going to make their return to the Hungaroring following 10 years of absence. The last year when the European Touring Car Cup visited Hungary was back in 2001 but this year the world championship drivers will be racing for the victories. This year Norbert Michelisz, the first ever Hungarian winner of a world championship race will be among the contenders once again. 

A huge opportunity

The race in June will be the first occasion in Michelisz’s career when he will compete in a European or World Championship race on home soil with his BMW 320 TC. Previously he took part a total 25 races in the Hungarian Suzuki Swift Cup, Renault Clio Cup, SEAT Leon Super Cup, 12H Hungaroring and Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo races beside the many test sessions including his maiden outing in a racecar back in 2006.

„It is a huge opportunity to race in front of the home crowd, the idea of a Hungarian race has an absolutely motivation effect on me,” said Michelisz who was visibly boosted by the support of his fans last year in Brno.

He added: “This will be the first occasion when I will have an advantage in terms of track knowledge compared to my opponents. Based on the characteristics of the circuit, I’m not expecting that either of the cars will be more competitive than the others but the high number of corners might result high tyre degradation, this might give the edge for the BMW.”

Hungaroring is often criticized for offering limited possibilities for the drivers to overtake but based on his experiences; Michelisz believes there will be at least two points where he or his opponents might be able to get ahead of their rivals.

“Though there are spots for overtaking at the end of the start-finish straight or in Turn 12, it will be tough to pass unless the others make mistakes. It will be important to do well on qualifying on Saturday afternoon.”

Michelisz is key for the Hungarian round

Race of Hungary will bring an unprecedented opportunity for Norbert Michelisz to race on home soil which was a priority for chiefs of Hungaroring to make this possible for the driver and his fans.

“We sincerely hope that the WTCC Race of Hungary will be exciting and interesting for the Hungarian and the foreign fans. It is of high importance to us that Hungarian driver Norbert Michelisz can compete in front of Hungarian audience and at a Hungarian track for the first time in the series' history," said Zsolt Gyulay, CEO of Hungaroring Sport Plc.

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