WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP FARFUS’ ALFA 156 WINS POINTS ON THE OSCHERSLEBEN CIRCUIT

The German circuit of Oschersleben hosted the seventh event in the World Touring Car Championship today (Sunday August 28). The official Alfa 156 driven by Brazilian Augusto Farfus collected points for the Alfa Romeo Racing Team with a fifth place in race 2 (ninth place in race 1). The two races were won by Priaulx and Zanardi (both driving BMW). The other Alfa Romeo drivers were extremely unlucky. In race 1, Gabriele Tarquini slipped from fifth place to thirteenth, after a collision with another car; James Thompson of Britain, started in pole position, but was penalised by a “drive through” in the pits while he was leading the race, following a problem on the starting grid (a delay in dismantling the heated tyre covers), and he finished in 19th place. Fabrizio Giovanardi was 26th, having to make a pit stop to change his tyres after being hit from behind. In race 2, Tarquini was 14th, setting the fastest lap, but he was delayed by technical problems caused by the collision in race 1; Thompson retired (due to the collapse of a damper), as did Giovanardi, in third place in the title race (because of an accident). Alfa Romeo remains in second place in the Manufacturers’ race.

The next event in the Touring Car World Championship will be run on October 1, in Valencia (Spain).

Turin, August 28, 2005

World Touring Car Championship standings

Drivers:
1. D. Muller (BMW) 69; 2. Priaulx (BMW) 68; 3. Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo) 57; 4. J. Muller (BMW) 45; 5. Tarquini (Alfa Romeo), Garcia (BMW) and Rydell (Seat) 43.

Manufacturers:
1. BMW 193; 2. Alfa Romeo 164; 3. Seat 136.

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