Sixth WTCC meeting in the Czech Republic
The continuous elevation changes and sweeping bends of Brno’s circuit in the Czech Republic will host the next WTCC meeting, which is the sixth of the season, and signals the halfway mark of the championship. The SEAT Leon TDI will be put to the test on this circuit, as it is one of the most difficult venues on the WTCC calendar.
The front wheel drive cars are at a disadvantage on this circuit, whose quick succession of right and left bends takes their toll on the tyres. Another handicap is the turbo pressure limit to 2.7 bars, especially on the uphill sections, so the SEAT Leon TDI is not the favourite car on this track.
However, this season’s new ballast weight rules have resulted in three of the brands competing to win having to carry the same amount. SEAT, BMW and Chevrolet each have to add 40 kg of ballast, so the spectators can expect an evenly matched competition, especially during the qualifying session. Despite this similarity, the SEAT Leon TDI will still be carrying 20 Kg more than in Valencia and 15 Kg more than BMW in the total weight of the car.
The championship will reach its midway point at the end of the stage in the Czech Republic. Despite the ups and downs of the first five meetings, SEAT expects to finish in Brno in the same position as now, by still leading both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ classifications, in the best condition for going into the second half of the season.
Despite the track’s difficult layout, Gabriele Tarquini managed a great victory there last year. It was SEAT’s first in Brno, one of the event’s milestone venues, which has been hosting the WTCC since 2006 and the ETCC since 2002.
Schedule
Saturday, 20 June
8.30 – 9.00: Free training session
11.00 – 11.30: Free training session
15.00 – 15.35: Qualifying session
Sunday, 21 June
8.30 – 8.45: Warm-up
12.50: 1st race. 10 laps, rolling start
15.05 p.m.: 2nd race. 10 laps, standing start
Weights and ballast of participating cars
SEAT Leon TDI: 1,170 kg + 40 kg ballast = 1,210 kg
SEAT petrol: 1,170 kg – 10 kg ballast = 1,160 kg
BMW: 1,155 kg + 40 kg ballast = 1,195 kg
Chevrolet Cruze: 1,170 kg + 40 kg = 1,210 kg
BMW (Privates): 1,180 kg
Lada: 1,170 kg – 20 kg ballast = 1,150 kg
(Due to a special authorisation by the FIA, the BMW are competing with 15 kg less than the SEAT Leon TDI)
- SEAT Sport
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