Comtoyou brings in two TCR Europe stars for WTCR's Middle East double-header

Comtoyou brings in two TCR Europe stars for WTCR's Middle East double-header

03.11.2022: - Viktor Davidovski and Franco Girolami set for WTCR action in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia - Newcomers increase Audi-powered Comtoyou’s WTCR attack from four to six cars - Girolami is the TCR Europe title winner for 2022 and younger brother of WTCR ace



- Viktor Davidovski and Franco Girolami set for WTCR action in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

- Newcomers increase Audi-powered Comtoyou’s WTCR attack from four to six cars

- Girolami is the TCR Europe title winner for 2022 and younger brother of WTCR ace Néstor




Comtoyou Racing has further underlined its support of international touring car competition by entering two extra cars for the WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup’s Middle East double-header this month.



Having recently relocated to new headquarters in Gembloux, Belgium, Jean-Michel Baert’s multiple title-winning team is handing WTCR debuts to two of its existing TCR Europe drivers, Viktor Davidovski and Franco Girolami.



Davidovski, a 42-year-old from Macedonia, is a TCR Europe race winner and helped Comtoyou clinch the TCR Europe Teams’ title in 2022. Argentine Girolami, 30, landed the TCR Europe Drivers’ crown this season and is the younger brother of WTCR title contender Néstor Girolami.



Although their wildcard status means neither will be eligible for Drivers’ points at WTCR Race of Bahrain or WTCR Race of Saudi Arabia, while their Goodyear-equipped Audis will carry 10 kilograms of compensation weight, they will take part in the podium celebrations should they finish in the top three in either of the upcoming rounds.



Leading Swedish team Lestrup Racing will support Comtoyou in the Middle East when the Belgian squad expands from a four-car to a six-car line-up, a WTCR record.



Davidovski will carry #110 on his Audi RS 3 LMS, while Girolami will run #72 on his identical car with both being entered under the Comtoyou Racing banner.



Comtoyou Team Manager François Verbist explained:
“This is a really good opportunity for Franco to show his potential which we really believe in. We’ve worked with him for one year now and he really deserved the TCR Europe title as the best and most outstanding driver.



He’s also a really hard worker and deserves to have his place on the WTCR grid. For us as a team it was a wish to continue the story with him in WTCR. For Viktor, it is an ambition for him to compete in a world-level series and we are very pleased we’ve been able to make this possible. We know what he is capable of.



“Expanding to six cars will of course mean more work so the partnership with Lestrup Racing is really important. But not only are some of their guys joining our team, as part of a common discussion with Audi Sport, we are giving other Audi customers the opportunity to gain experience in a world series and we are very happy to have the support of Lestrup, an Audi customer team in the Swedish Touring Car Championship.”




Verbist continued
: “We have high expectations for both events and we are ready to push to the end. We are definitely positive, coming to Bahrain with zero compensation weight and fully motivated to make the gap to Mikel Azcona as close as possible in the standings.”




Davidovski said:
“For sure these races will be a very big challenge but I have been spending time working with Franco on the simulator and training every day, putting in a lot of effort to do my best. To compete in a world-level event like WTCR has always been an ambition.



While I know WTCR is another step compared to TCR Europe, I have won a race in TCR Europe and nobody gives you victories for free in that series. I am grateful to Comtoyou for this opportunity, it’s lke a dream coming true.”



Girolami, who has limited experience of the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit from last season’s FIA World Endurance Championship Rookie Test, albeit in a GT3 car, said: “This is an amazing opportunity after the incredible year we have had winnng the TCR Europe title with Comtoyou and I want to thank everybody who has made this possible.


It will be a big challenge but I feel ready to make the most of this chance. Obviously it’s going to be step by step, because while the level in TCR Europe is very high right now, the WTCR has the top 10 best drivers in the world in touring car racing so it’s going to be very interesting to understand WTCR and to try to improve and learn from team-mates.



I don’t have any targets, the only thing I always try to do is my best and to prepare all the events in the best way possible with lots of simulator work and training.”



Girolami’s participation at WTCR Race of Bahrain and WTCR Race of Saudi Arabia means two brothers will appear on a WTCR grid for the first time with Néstor Girolami competing in an ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Honda Civic Type R TCR.



The younger Girolami’s entry will also ensure that three TCR Europe title winners will be in action with Goodyear #FollowTheLeader Mikel Azcona (2018 and 2021) and Mehdi Bennani (2020) also taking part in the WTCR this season.



Indeed, Moroccan driver Bennani will compete under the Comtoyou Team Audi Sport banner alongside Gilles Magnus, while Nathanaël Berthon and Tom Coronel will fly the Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport flag. All four are WTCR race winners.



Bahrain International Circuit hosts WTCR Race of Bahrain, Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2022 WTCR season, from November 10-12 with Jeddah International Circuit the venue for WTCR Race of Saudi Arabia, Rounds 17 and 18, from November 25-27. Click HERE to view the provisional standings.



The thoughts of brothers Franco and Néstor Girolami going up against each other in the WTCR will be included in a separate press release to be issued soon.






 Richard Rodgers, photos TCR Series



Permanent-URL: http://www.automobilsport.com/comtoyou-tcr-europe-stars-wtcr-middle-east-double-header---244753.html

03.11.2022 / MaP

More News

Girolami: We can still fight for WTCR title
31.10.2022
  Néstor Girolami isn’t giving up on winning the WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup in his ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport Honda Civic Type R TCR.   Argentine ace Girolami is 35 points behind Goodyear #FollowTheLe more >>
With lots of WTCR action expected, Berthon says it's time to bring on Bahrain
28.10.2022
  Nathanaël Berthon is predicting “lots of action” when Bahrain International Circuit hosts the first WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup races to take place in the Middle East next month (November 10-12).Berthon more >>
Catsburg's back! Hyundai-powered Dutch ace in WTCR return with BRC
20.10.2022
- Versatile star joins expanded BRC Racing Team line-up for WTCR’s Middle East adventure- Dutch talent gets third BRC Hyundai Elantra N TCR for races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia- Catsburg: “Hopefully I get strong results and help the team end the season on a high” more >>
New-look Esports WTCR is go! with event dates
20.10.2022
- €10,000 prize fund up for grabs in online version of WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup- Three-event Shoot-out begins soon ahead of five-round season in January 2023- Esports WTCR competitors to decide choice of track for championship decider more >>
Discovery Sports Events developing new format and looking to the future
20.10.2022
With the 2022 WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup set to be the fifth and final season in its current guise, WTCR promoter Discovery Sports Events (DSE) is looking to the future.Preparing to complete its agreement as promoter of the WTCR − more >>
FIA WTCR - Nicky Catsburg joins BRC for the last events
19.10.2022
BRC Racing Team will run three Hyundai Elantra N cars for the last events of WTCR in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with Nicky Catsburg making his return, joining the points leader Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz.Catsburg had alread more >>
Discovery Sports Events developing new format and looking to the future
14.10.2022
With the 2022 WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup set to be the fifth and final season in its current guise, WTCR promoter Discovery Sports Events (DSE) is looking to the future.   Preparing to complete its agreement as promoter of the WTCR − more >>
Back by popular demand: New-look Esports WTCR is go!
13.10.2022
- €10,000 prize fund up for grabs in online version of WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup- Three-event Shoot-out begins soon ahead of five-round season in January 2023- Esports WTCR competitors to decide choice of track for championship decider more >>
Hyundai counts on WTCR stars past and present to meet ETCR objectives
21.09.2022
Hyundai Motorsport will rely on its WTCR – FIA Word Touring Car Cup stars past and present to achieve its objectives in the FIA ETCR – eTouring Car World Cup season decider at the Sachsenring in Germany this weekend.The team heads to Race more >>
Early celebrations: Calendar confirmation means Huff can't be caught in WTCR Trophy
14.09.2022
- British privateer heads to season-deciding events in Middle East with unassailable margin- Tally of 10 wins from 12 starts underlines Zengő Motorsport driver’s category dominance- Huff follows Vernay and Magnus by winning WTCR Trophy for independent racers more >>
FIA WTCR- The season will finish with two events in the Middle East
07.09.2022
The 2022 FIA World Touring Car Cup will be decided by two events in the Middle East, in Bahrain (November 10-12) and Saudi Arabia (November 25-27).The two events replace the planned Asia leg in China, Macau and South Korea that could not go ah more >>
Saudi Arabia to host the FIA World Touring Car Cup 2022 Finale
01.09.2022
Kingdom set to host season-deciding WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup races for the first time this November 25th - 27th at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit’s newly configured 3.45km layout   Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), in conjunc more >>
FIA WTCR @ Anneau du Rhin - Berthon and Huff share race victories
10.08.2022
Nathanaël Berthon and Rob Huff shared race victories in the FIA WTCR event at the Anneau du Rhin.At the start of the first race, Berthon took the lead, running around Néstor Girolami who sat on pole. The Arge more >>
Azcona warns of sleep risk in pursuit of WTCR title dream
10.08.2022
Goodyear #FollowTheLeader Mikel Azcona insists there’s no time to sleep as he bids to become the first Spaniard to win an FIA World Touring Car title.Azcona heads the provisional order by 35 points following his podium double at WTCR Race of Alsace G more >>
Audi - Victory on home turf
08.08.2022
Nathanaël Berthon managed his first victory of the year in front of a home crowd on the seventh race weekend of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup. The Audi Sport driver had missed the pole position for the first sprint on the Anneau du Rhin by o more >>
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst Race 2 press conference transcript
07.08.2022
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 5-7, 2022WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup, Rounds 13 and 14 of 20Press Conference Room, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 7In attendance:Rob Huff (Zengő Motorsp more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst - Huff hangs tough to win race 2 at Anneau du Rhin
07.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Sunday, August 7th 2022Rob Huff resisted 18 laps of pressure to brilliantly claim his second win of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season in Race 2 at WTCR Race Al more >>
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst Race 1 press conference
07.08.2022
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 5-7, 2022WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup, Rounds 13 and 14 of 20Press Conference Room, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 7 &nbs more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst - Guerrieri clash costs Magnus Race 1 WTCR podium
07.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Sunday, August 7th 2022Gilles Magnus has lost his third-place finish in Race 1 at WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst after he was handed a five-second time penalty for an on-track clash wi more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst- Berthon claims first win of season in Alsace thriller
07.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Sunday, August 7th 2022Nathanaël Berthon claimed his first WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup victory of the year with a commanding performance in Race 1 of the WTCR R more >>
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst post-Qualifying press conference transcript
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 5-7, 2022WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup, Rounds 13 and 14 of 20Press Conference Room, Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin, August 5-7In attendance: more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst- Bennani on Anneau du Rhin Race 2 WTCR pole
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Saturday, August 6th 2022Comtoyou Team Audi Sport driver Mehdi Bennani is set to start Race 2 at WTCR Race Alsace GrandEst from pole position on the partially more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst - Girolami storms to Alsace GrandEst pole position
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Saturday, August 6th 2022Néstor Girolami stormed to his third WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup pole position of 2022 with a perfect performance in qualifying at WTCR Race A more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst - Michelisz puts Hyundai-powered BRC on top in FP2 at Anneau du Rhin
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Saturday, August 6th 2022Norbert Michelisz showed that BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse will be a force to be reckoned with at Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin by heading more >>
Race of Alsace GrandEst Practice 1 - Home hero Berthon best ahead of Michelisz and Azcona
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Saturday, August 6th 2022Nathanaël Berthon and Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport set the pace in the opening free practice sesson at Circuit l’Anneau du Rhin as WTCR Race of Alsace Gr more >>
How to watch WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst
06.08.2022
WTCR Race of ALSACE GRANDESTAnneau du Rhin6-7 August 2022Saturday, August 6th 2022In addition to full coverage on Eurosport Player, here’s a summary of how WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst can be watched either live, delayed more >>
WTCR on track in Alsace GrandEst
05.08.2022
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst 2022Circuit Anneau du Rhin5-7 August 2022Friday, August 5th 2022WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup drivers and their teams ramped up their final preparations for the inaugural WTCR Race of Alsace GrandE more >>
WTCR FIA World Touring Car Cup update
05.08.2022
Discovery Sports Events and the FIA are surprised by the decision of Cyan Racing and Geely Group Motorsport to discontinue their participation in the 2022 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, which was not expected in light of extensive dialogue between the FIA, Cyan Racing, Geely Group Motorsport, Goodyear and TCR category creator WSC to address concerns following the tyre issues that more >>
Marcello Lotti comments on Lynk & Co’s withdrawal
04.08.2022
Following Lynk & Co Cyan Racing’s decision to withdraw from the remaining events of the 2022 FIA WTCR, WSC president Marcello Lotti stated:“WSC has always respected the competitors’ decisions, but in this case I can’t find any rationales. Especially after WSC has elaborated, together with the FIA, the series promoter and the t more >>
FIA WTCR preview - Muller and Ehrlacher to race at home
03.08.2022
The FIA WTCR visits for the first time the Anneau du Rhin, located between the cities of Colmar and Mulhouse, in Alsace the native region of Yvan Muller and Yann Ehrlacher. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to race at least more >>
WTCR Race Alsace GrandEst - Did you know, stats
01.08.2022
FIA World Touring Car ChampionshipWTCR Alsace GrandEstAnneau du Rhin5-7 August 2022DID YOU KNOW?*The WTCR is now 102 races old following Race 2 at WTCR Race of Italy earlier this month. Four more >>
WTCR Race Alsace GrandEst entry list, teams and drivers
01.08.2022
FIA World Touring Car ChampionshipWTCR Alsace GrandEstAnneau du Rhin5-7 August 2022WTCR − FIA World Touring Car Cup all-season entry list 2022#5 Norbert Michelisz (HUN) BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse, Hyundai Elantra more >>
WTCR Race of Alsace GrandEst essentials, schedule
01.08.2022
FIA World Touring Car ChampionshipWTCR Alsace GrandEstAnneau du Rhin5-7 August 2022THE WTCR IN SHORTThe WTCR, which is broadcast in more than 185 countries, is the pinnacle o more >>
Race preview: WTCR stars aim to be the best in Alsace GrandEst
01.08.2022
FIA World Touring Car ChampionshipWTCR Alsace GrandEstAnneau du Rhin5-7 August 2022     - FIA World Touring Car racing heading for an all-new Anneau du Rhin adventure- Goodyear #FollowTheL more >>
Best result of the season for Comtoyou Team Audi Sport
26.07.2022
Jean-Michel Baert’s Belgian Audi customer team was delighted with a one-two and another podium result at Vallelunga. The sixth weekend of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup started with a recovery by Gilles Magnus.   The Audi Sport driv more >>
Solid points’ haul and class win for Tom Coronel in FIA WTCR Vallelunga
25.07.2022
“And yet another trophy to bring home!” Tom Coronel, the only Dutch driver in the highest global touring car series, was happy after the race weekend of the FIA WTCR – World Touring Car Cup at the Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi near Rome. In the first race, the driver of the Audi RS 3 LMS run by the Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport was classi more >>
WTCR Race of Italy Race 2 press conference
24.07.2022
FIA WTCR Race of ItalyVallelungaSunday, July 24th 2022 In attendance:Gilles Magnus (Comtoyou Team Audi Sport), first position, Race 2Nathanaël Berthon (Comtoyou DHL Team Audi Sport), second position, Race 2Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), third position, Race 2 more >>
WTCR Race of Italy - Magnus scores second win of 2022
24.07.2022
FIA WTCR Race of ItalyVallelungaSunday, July 24th 2022Gilles Magnus led all the way in Race 2 at WTCR Race of Italy to score his second win of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup season at Autodromo Vallelunga Piero Taruffi. more >>
WTCR Race of Italy - Race 1 press conference
24.07.2022
FIA WTCR Race of ItalyVallelungaSunday, July 24th 2022In attendance:Néstor Girolami (ALL-INKL.COM Münnich Motorsport), first position, Race 1Mikel Azcona (BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse), second position, Race more >>

Kategorien

2001-2023 automobilsport.com full copyright