WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP THE ALFA ROMEO RACING TEAM IN ISTANBUL

The Turkish racing circuit of Istanbul, which was inaugurated recently with a Formula 1 Grand Prix, will now host the eighth event in the World Touring Car Championship, on Sunday, September 18. It is a new circuit, where the Alfa Romeo Racing Team will be represented by four 156s driven by Fabrizio Giovanardi, Gabriele Tarquini, James Thompson and Augusto Farfus. The four official Alfa drivers will tackle the 5.38 km Turkish track for the first time. All eyes will be on Giovanardi, who has won three races this year (at Imola, Puebla and Spa-Francorchamps), and is battling for the lead with D. Muller and Priaulx (BMW). The Alfa Romeo driver did not pick up any points in the last race, in Germany, but remains in the running for the title. With three races to go to the end of the season, it is still an open race between Alfa Romeo, BMW and Seat for the Manufacturers Title, thanks in part to wins by Gabriele Tarquini (at Silverstone) and James Thompson, who won the opening event at Monza.
The programme for the weekend in Istanbul is as follows: Saturday September 17, two practice sessions (from 9 am to 12.30 pm) and qualifying from 3.15 to 3.45 pm. Sunday 18, after the warm-up at 10 am, races 1 and 2, with the green light at 4.15 and 5.20 pm.

Turin, september 16, 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 160; 3. Seat 133.

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