THE BIGGEST AUTOMOTIVE EVENT IN AFRICA IN THE COLORS OF AFRIQUIA
* The opening of the FIA WTCR World Cup has? Marrakech in the colors of Afriquia, the first fuel and lubricant distribution network in Morocco
* National champion Mehdi Bennani in the position of title contender in front of his Moroccan audience has? the opening of the Championship has? Marrakech on April 7/8
* National and international TV coverage for the spectacular Marrakech race
* Quality? AFRIQUIA fuels at the heart of the decision to associate a World Cup with the market-leading Moroccan oil company?
The event, the only African round of a World Motor Show, will also take place in the colors of its historic official partners BMCE Bank of Africa, Wafa Assurance, and Renault.
THE WTCC EXPANDS AND BECOMES THE WTCR
From the merger of the two Championships that were the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and the Touring Car Cup (TCR), the brand new FIA-labeled World Cup has just been born, and called? the WTCR.
And the season already promises? strong, since no less than 13 manufacturers have counterpart? cars to take part in the WTCR, which confirms 28 cars entered for the opening of the Championship at? Marrakech on April 7/8.
The Promoter Eurosport Events has already? announcement? an exciting season with all the new features announced.
“The combination of the new technical rules, the expertise of the FIA, linked to? the promotional strength of Eurosport Events will allow us to have a very competitive grid and very interesting races for the fans” declared? the director of Eurosport Events, Francois Ribeiro.
NEW REGULATIONS
The technical regulations of the all-new WTCR include two-wheel drive cars, four or five door sedans or cars with? hatchbacks, using production turbo engines with capacity? between 1750 and 2000cc, and a maximum power of 350 hp.
A VARIED TRAY
This results in a substantial reduction in budgets for all factory or private teams and therefore also in an expansion of the number of manufacturers having approved models according to this technical definition.
So no less than 13 manufacturers like Alfa Romeo, Audi, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, KIA, Lada, Opel, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Subaru and VW have counterparts? models now eligible for WTCR.
This opening allows WTCR promoters to fully display a? a few weeks from the start of the season to? Marrakech with no less than 28 participants!
BIG NAMES AT THE DEPARTURE
If the 2018 calendar is disputed? has? new on 4 Continents, Morocco will have the honor of opening the season on the famous Circuit Moulay El Hassan a? Marrakech.
The format of the race weekends will be slightly different since no less than 3 races will now be contested.
Cost? stables, the manufacturers will be in force on the starting grid at? Marrakech with of course prestigious teams like Sebastien Loeb Racing. The team of the nine-time World Rally Champion will for once leave the PSA group to run the reigning TCR Champion, the VW Golf GTI.
With 2 cars, we will find two sure names in tourism, the British Robert Huff (2012 WTCC World Champion) and the Moroccan driver Champion of the 2016 Indian Trophy, Mehdi Bennani. The latter speaking to the official WTCR website admitted: “The WTCR cars are slightly different from the previous ones that I have driven but with our technical team having already demonstrated their professionalism and expertise, I am confident that we can fight for early victories with the Golf GTI TCR,” said Bennani.
Concerning his decision to extend with the French team SLR, he added: : “Staying with Sebastien Loeb Racing for one more campaign was an easy and obvious decision to make, as we have built a strong relationship of trust over the years.”
The return behind a wheel after a season of retirement of the Quadruple WTCC World Champion, the Frenchman Ivan Muller who within his own team will also race the Swede Thed Bjork, the last World Champion of the WTCC era, on Hyundai last year.
THE FRMSA NATIONAL PLATEAU IS ALREADY FULL
And if Mehdi Bennani will defend the colors of Morocco in the World Cup, more than 40 Moroccan drivers will compete for the local title of the entirely Moroccan support race of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Motor Sports (FRMSA).
2 DAYS OF FUN
If the races follow one another at? a sustained pace, the activities are also permanent within the Circuit. Fan Village with its interactive activities, drivers’ autograph sessions, car-moto exhibitions, motocross, stunts on the starting line, 5D racing simulators, relaxation and catering areas, karting track for challenges all day long… sport and spectacle will be there all weekend of April 7.
source: consonews.ma
