Saturday, December 27, 2008

Lada’s debut at WTCC

November 21st, in Moscow OAO AVTOVAZ and K.S.O., the WTCC promoter,
signed the agreement on LADA team participation in the World Touring Car
Championship from 2009 onwards.

The document promoting the Russian motor sport and automotive industry
to a new level was signed by Boris Aleshin, Chairman of the biggest
Russian car concern, and Marcello Lotti, K.S.O. general manager. From now
on there will be a new name among global leading car producers
struggling for victory on racing tracks.

AVTOVAZ is the first Russian representative that will participate in the
high level motor racing. The Company has already started preparing three
LADA PRIORAs. Having replaced LADA 110, the new car is to enter the
world touring track in spring next year, when the WTCC European part of
the season starts.

The agreement gives the Russian car company a technological impulse that
will affect AVTOVAZ serial products as well as provides the Company with
an opportunity to become a member of the privileged global car
manufacturers club. The step can be called a Russian breakthrough. Never
before has our country taken part in this level car racing that gathers
best sportsmen and state-of-the-art technologies. Through participating
in prestigious championships, the LADA brand may enter a new quality
level, lay the foundation for further development of automotive
technologies in terms of world motor sport as well as the whole auto
industry, as they are inseparable parts of auto sphere.

Boris Aleshin, “LADA PRIORA has great potential. This year AVTOVAZ plans
to sell 160,000 LADA PRIORAs including export. The Company also intends
to expand its output. We are going to move forward, so motor sport is a
good opportunity for us to prove ourselves. During the first season we
plan to be in a “golden mean”, but then pick up speed. We are highly
ambitious!”

Marcello Lotti, “The arrival of the LADA team is a great honor for us.
It is the leading Russian car producer having 70% of the national
automotive market. We are ready to help AVTOVAZ with preparation and
homologation of the racing LADA PRIORAs. I’d also like to note that WTCC
is beneficial for all its participants. Having invested one euro at the
beginning of a season, a producer receives a media-payoff of EUR 32-33.
Welcome to WTCC!”

Being the arena of struggle between car leaders from various countries,
Touring Car Racing Series has been held since 2005. Due to its
popularity and pilots that take part in, WTCC may compete with Formula 1.

The first round of the Championship is to be held in Curitiba, Brazil,
March 7-8, 2009.


Source: Press service ОAО AVTOVAZ

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Merry Xmas!!!

Lamda Motorsport wishes you Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ladygin involves, van Lagen comments & Aleshin suggests


Third Lada 110 in the entry list

Fiawtcc.com confirmes that the Russian Bears Motorsport team will add a third LADA 110 car for the remaining four events of the season.
The third driver is Kirill Ladygin from Russia. Ladygin is LADA Motorsport's official tester and is currently working on the technical development of the WTCC version of the new Priora, that will be raced from 2009.


Jaap van Lagen comments

Additionally, Jaap van Lagen, in his interview to TouringCarTimes.com referred on the Lada team hard work during 2008:
"I think the season has been great so far! At the start of the season we were five seconds behind the top of the field, but now we are much closer. The main problem with the car is the top speed. We need more power to fight against the top teams. The team is working really hard and we have a good atmosphere. I do want to continue with the team and I hope that we get factory status for 2009!"

About the strong points of Lada 110, Jaap said:
"The chassis is very good. The balance is ok and so is the suspension. The car is also very light, so we can play a lot with the weight distribution. That is a big advantage. All in all it is an easy car to drive, we just need more power."

About the coming races:
"I think we can keep up the performance from Oschersleben at Imola. But Monza and Macau will be a different story as they have very long straights. Then we will most likely be at the back of the grid."

He also referred on his future participation in the Porsche Supercup and said that if he gets the chance again to drive for a top team in the Supercup, he will be on the grid.


Lada plant team in 2009 / WTCC event in Russia in 2010

WTCC organizers are interested in a futute WTCC event in Russia and Moscow, st Petersbourgh and Togliatti are the candidate cities. According to AvtoVAZ Press service, Boris Aleshin, president of AvtoVAZ Group, said:
"This year the LADA car as a private team made its debut in WTCC. Next year we are going to participate in the championship as representatives of the car plant. We are going to use LADA PRIORA cars in the championship and as well as other promising models in future. “AVTOVAZ”, in its turn, offered the WTCC organizers to hold WTCC in Tolyatti in 2010".


And a Lada WTCC video clip

Monday, September 8, 2008

Thoughts about 2009 season...


Lada in WTCC officially...


It seems that a Lada works team will be in the 2009 entry list of the World Touring Car Championship. According to TouringCarTimes.com, Victor Shapovalov said the Lada WTCC is a three-years project:

"This year is only testing and next year we would like to have a new car. When we would have the new model we also would have more technical support from Lada. They want to change their image and for Lada the WTCC is a good base to show what they want to be in the future."

But which car?

The production of the Lada 110 has already stopped and the new Lada Priora (2170) is now in production since April of 2007. Actually the car is a face-lifted 110. This would mean that the S2000-specs development of the Priora is not so difficult as a completely new car. The problem is that there is no a 2-litre version of the car to be homologated. Maybe a 2-litre "sport" edition should be unveiled soon just like Lada 110 2.0 GTI (21106) back in 1996 (at Paris Motor Show in October maybe? why not?). And I think that it will be a "powered by Renault" edition since the Opel C20XE is already old enough and of course now Renault Group owns the 25% of AvtoVAZ.


On the other hand the 2007 Lada Project C (2116) developed by AvtoVAZ and Magna-Steyr is a modern and beautiful car. It could increase the sales of AvtoVAZ dramatically but unfortunatelly it remains just a prototype although it was announced to be in production in 2009. The industry news are lack of information about this vehicle.
However the Lada 2116 sedan participated in the EuroCarBody benchmarking for the first time as “SPECIAL GUEST 2007” (see 9th European Car Body AWARD Event, 2007):
"The clean-cut and well-structured car body positively surprised many conference participants with its low weight", according to the organizers of the event.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

WTCC Rounds 15&16 – Oschersleben, Germany – 30-31 August 2008


photo: fiawtcc.com

RACE 1 RESULT

1. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
2. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
3. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
4. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
5. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
6. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
7. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
8. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
9. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
10. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
11. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
12. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
13. 78 I Marin COLAK - SEAT Leon
14. 29 I Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
15. 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
16. 49 Duncan HUISMAN - BMW 320si
17. 43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
18. 60 I Kristian POULSEN - BMW 320si
19. 13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
20. 28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
21. 45 I George TANEV - BMW 320si
22. 16 I Olivier TIELEMANS - BMW 320si
23. 62 I Aytac BITER - BMW 320si
24. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
25. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
26. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si

------NOT CLASSIFIED------
1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti

------FASTEST LAP------
3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si (1:36.699 min)
23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon (1:37.629 min)



RACE 2 RESULT

1. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
2. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
3. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
4. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
5. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
6. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
7. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
8. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
9. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
10. 49 Duncan HUISMAN - BMW 320si
11. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
12. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
13. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
14. 60 I Kristian POULSEN - BMW 320si
15. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
16. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
17. 78 I Marin COLAK - SEAT Leon
18. 16 I Olivier TIELEMANS - BMW 320si
19. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
20. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
21. 45 I George TANEV - BMW 320si
22. 29 I Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
23. 28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
24. 62 I Aytac BITER - BMW 320si

------NOT CLASSIFIED------
43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si

------FASTEST LAP------
3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si (1:37.556 min)
42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si (1:38.020 min)


The standings after Germany are:

Drivers Championship
1. Yvan Muller ……………....66
2. Gabriele Tarquini ……….64
3. Andy Priaulx ………….....53

Manufacturers Championship
1. SEAT ……………………....216
2. BMW ……………………....192
3. Chevrolet …………………157
4. HONDA …………………….26

Yokohama Independents’ Trophy
1. Sergio Hernandez …………112
2. Stefano D'Aste ……………..109 (2-point handicap)
3. Pierre-Yves Corthals ……..86
…………………….
9. Jaap van Lagen ……………...16
………………..
16. Victor Shapovalov …………..4

Yokohama Teams’ Trophy
1. Proteam Motorsport …………..223
2. Liqui Moly Team Engstler …..124
3. Exagon Engineering ………….....86
……………………………….
9. Russian Bears Motorsport ……20


What's up next?

The Race of Europe will be the next event on 20th & 21th of September at Imola, Italy. Russian Bears Motorsport team is preparing a third car for that race. Kirill Ladygin, the Lada Sport team driver, will be behind the wheel of this Lada 110.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Lada 110 2.0 WTCC



The two Lada 110 2.0 competing in 2008 WTCC series are two 4-door sedans which have begun their lives as completely stock bodies descended from the AvtoVAZ factory. They were delivered to “Russian Bears Motorsport” with already mounted safety cages fully according to all WTCC’s technical regulations.


The engine is the well-known “red top” Opel C20XE and is prepared by Swindon Racing Engines. RML Motorsport also uses similar engines for their Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car. Swindon Racing Engines used to prepare engines for RML, too, until 2006.



Technical Specifications

BODY: LADA AvtoVAZ 110 2.0, 4 doors.

ENGINE: 4-cylinder in line, transversally installed; distribution: two overhead camshafts, 16 valves; displacement: 1998 cc; bore x stroke: 86 x 86 mm; compression ratio: 11:1; maximum output: 270 bhp @ 8500 rpm; maximum torque: 265 nm @ 5600 rpm; engine management: Bosch Motronic; lubrication: wet sump.

TRANSMISSION: front-wheel-drive; gearbox: Hewland 6-speed, sequential shift; clutch: twin-plate; differential: mechanical limited slip differential.

CHASSIS: front suspension: McPherson strut, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar; rear suspension: dual link axle, coil springs, gas-filled dampers, anti-roll bar; steering: power assisted rack and pinion.

BRAKES: power assisted dual circuit system; front brakes: 4-piston calipers, 332 mm steel ventilated discs; rear brakes: 2-piston calipers, 280 mm steel discs.

DIMENSIONS: length: 4245 mm; width: 1809 mm; wheelbase 2540 mm; minimum weight: 1140 kg including the driver.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

WTCC Rounds 13&14 – Brands Hatch, UK – 26-27 July 2008


Six more points for Russian Bears Motorsport and Lada at the Yokohama Independents' Trophy after the Brands Hatch event.


RACE 1 - RESULT


1. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
2. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
3. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
4. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
5. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
6. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
7. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
8. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
9. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
10. 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
11. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
12. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
13. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
14. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
15. 60 I Kristian POULSON - BMW 320si
16. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
17. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
18. 13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
19. 28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
20. 76 I Lourenco BEIRAO - SEAT Leon
21. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
22. 62 I Aytac BITER - BMW 320si
23. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
24. 63 T Robert DAHLGREN - VOLVO C30

------NOT CLASSIFIED------
3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si

------FASTEST LAP------
7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti (1:34.607 min)
63 T Robert DAHLGREN - VOLVO C30 (1:35.591 min)
26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si (1:35.591 min)


RACE 2 - RESULT

1. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
2. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
3. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
4. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si 5
5. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
6. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
7. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
8. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
9. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
10. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
11. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
12. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
13. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
14. 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
15. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
16. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
17. 60 I Kristian POULSON - BMW 320si
18. 29 I Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
19. 76 I Lourenco BEIRAO - SEAT Leon
20. 28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
21. 62 I Aytac BITER - BMW 320si
22. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon

------NOT CLASSIFIED------
1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI

------FASTEST LAP------
3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si (1:34.429 min)
31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si (1:34.566 min)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

WTCC Rounds 11&12 – Estoril, Portugal – 11-13 July 2008


photo: fiawtcc.com

The first podium for Russian Bears Motorsport and Lada!

Jaap van Lagen finished the first race into the third position between the independents and managed to collect the first points for the team.
Below the official results as were announced by mstworld.com

RACE 1 - RESULT

1. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
2. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
3. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
4. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
5. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
6. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
7. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
8. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
9. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
10. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
11. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
12. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
13. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
14. 60 I Kristian POULSEN - BMW 320si
15. 29 I Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
16. 43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
17. 13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
18. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
19. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
20. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si

------NOT CLASSIFIED------
31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
16 I Olivier TIELEMANS - BMW 320si
28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
77 I Tom BOARDMAN - SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI

------FASTEST LAP------
6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti (1:49.423 min)
26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si (1:50.839 min)


RACE 2 - RESULT

1. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
2. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
3. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
4. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
5. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
6. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
7. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
8. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
9. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
10. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
11. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
12. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
13. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
14. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
15. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
16. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
17. 77 I Tom BOARDMAN - SEAT Leon 2.0 TFSI
18. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
19. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
20. 43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
21. 29 I Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
22. 60 I Kristian POULSEN - BMW 320si
23. 13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
24. 28 I Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110

------FASTEST LAP------
6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti (1:49.075 min)
31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si (1:49.935 min)

Saturday, July 12, 2008

WTCC Rounds 9&10 – Brno, Czech Republic – 14-15 June 2008


RACE 1 - RESULT


1. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
2. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
3. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
4. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
5. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
6. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
7. 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
8. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
9. 7 Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti
10. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
11. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
12. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
13. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
14. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
15. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
16. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si
17. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
18. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
19. 16 I Oliver TIELEMANS - BMW 320si
20. 43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
21. 29 T Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
22. 22 I Michal MATEJOVSKY - SEAT Leon
23. 54 I Alexander LVOV - Honda Accord Euro R
24. 55 I Andrey SMETSKY - Honda Accord Euro R
25. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si

------NOT CLASSIFIED--------------
28 T Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si

------FASTEST LAP-------------------
5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si (2:10.108 min)
43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si (2:12.229 min)
29 T Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 (2:13.608 min)



RACE 2 - RESULT

1. 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI
2. 4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si
3. 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si
4. 5 Felix PORTEIRO - BMW 320si
5. 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI
6. 8 Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti
7. 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si
8. 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si
9. 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R
10. 18 Tiago MONTEIRO - SEAT Leon TDI
11. 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti
12. 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon
13. 31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si
14. 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI
15. 23 I Pierre-Yves CORTHALS - SEAT Leon
16. 43 I Andrei ROMANOV - BMW 320si
17. 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI
18. 28 T Viktor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110
19. 13 I Ibrahim OKYAY - BMW 320si
20. 54 I Alexander LVOV - Honda Accord Euro R
21. 26 I Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si
22. 55 I Andrey SMETSKY - Honda Accord Euro R
23. 42 I Franz ENGSTLER - BMW 320si

------NOT CLASSIFIED----------------
29 T Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110
16 I Oliver TIELEMANS - BMW 320si
22 I Michal MATEJOVSKY - SEAT Leon

------FASTEST LAP-----------------------
4 Alessandro ZANARDI - BMW 320si (2:10.371 min)
31 I Sergio HERNANDEZ - BMW 320si (2:10.888 min)
29 T Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 (2:13.469 min)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Let's Brno!

This weekend the WTC Championship visits Brno in Czech Republic. A classic circuit with 5,402 m of lap distance.

Today at the qualifying, Alessandro Zanardi of BMW Team Italy-Spain scored his first pole position in WTCC (Time: 2:08.913). Alain Menu (Chevrolet) was qualified second (Time: 2:09.039) and Felix Porteiro (BMW) was qualified third (Time: 2:09.100).

The two Lada 110 2.0 race as transparent cars again. Jaap van Lagen and Victor Shapovalov were qualified 23rd (8th indepedent) and 25th (10th indepedent) respectively with times 2:12.144 for Lagen and 2:13.754 for Shapovalov.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

WTCC Rounds 7&8 – Pau, France – 31 May-1 June 2008


photo: fiawtcc.com

The two Lada 110 2.0 WTCC were present at the WTCC event at Pau, France last weekend. However the russian cars failed again to pass the scrutineering because the intake and outlet ports of the cylinder head did not conform to the homologation form. With the agreement of all the other competitors, the Stewards decided to let them race as transparent cars in Pau and in the next meeting at Brno (14-15 June). The team has to introduce the needed changes so that their cars comply before Estoril (11-13 July) as no further derogations will be conceded.

(The Opel C2OXE motors of the Lada 110), which were prepared by English company Swindon (Racing Engines) for our cars according to neat samples and similitude of Chevrolet's mill team engines, were not correspond able to homologation map on one of the parameters. The point is Chevrolet uses slightly different variation of a power plant from that was installed on assembly line on Lada 1106. At "our" engine canals in cylinder head have slightly smaller cuts, Victor Shapovalov, the “Russian Bears” team owner, said after the Valencia event.

So, like in Valencia two weeks ago, the two Lada 110 cars of Victor Shapovalov and Jaap van Lagen were not eligible to score championship points in Pau.

31/05 Free Practice 1 Results:

1) 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI - 1:36.923
2) 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si - 1:36.929
3) 11 Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI - 1:37.157
…………………………………………………………….
13) 26 Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si - 1:38.869 (1st independent)
The two Russian Bears Motorsport Lada 110 cars did not take part in the session


31/05 Free Practice 2 Results:

1) 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si - 1:35.426
2) 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si - 1:35.651
3 20 Tom CORONEL - SEAT Leon - 1:35.937
………………………………………………………….
7) 32 I Oscar NOGUES - SEAT Leon - 1:36.307 (1st independent)
……………………………………………………………
22) 29 T Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 1:42.045
………………………………………………………….
25) 28 T Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 1:50.053


31/05 Qualifying Results:

1) 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si - 1:21.960
2) 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI - 1:21.980
3) 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI - 1:22.276
………………………………………………………….
16) 32 Oscar NOGUES - SEAT Leon - 1:23.652 (1st independent)
……………………………………………………………
23) 29 Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 1:26.685
----------QUALIFICATION MAXIMA 1:27.697-------------
28 Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 1:28.812


1/06 Warm Up Results:

1) 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si - 1:23.951
2) 15 James THOMPSON - Honda Accord Euro R - 1:24.205
3) 2 Jorg MULLER - BMW 320si - 1:24.453
……………………………………………………..
6) 32 Oscar NOGUES - SEAT Leon - 1:24.793 (1st independent)
Jaap van Lagen did not participate


1/06 Race 1 Results:

1) 3 Augusto FARFUS - BMW 320si - 52:20.842
2) 12 Yvan MULLER - SEAT Leon TDI - 52:38.693
3) 9 Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI - 52:38.953
…………………………………………………………
16) 33 Laurent CAZENAVE - BMW 320si - 52:58.254 (1st independent)
……………………………………………………………….
21) 29 Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 53:24.689


1/06 Race 2 Results:

1) 1 Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si - 36:01.406
2) 6 Nicola LARINI - Chevrolet Lacetti - 36:05.934
3) 10 Rickard RYDELL - SEAT Leon TDI - 36:06.406
………………………………………………………………
14) 26 Stefano D'ASTE - BMW 320si - 37:08.730 (1st independent)
…………………………………………………………..
18) 29 Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 37:31.709

photo: fiawtcc.com

Friday, May 23, 2008

Lada 110 - from rallies to WTCC


The history of the Lada 110



Lada 110 is the second front-wheel drive car manufactured by AvtoVAZ (the first was the Lada Samara). The production started in 1996. There is also a station-wagon version named 111 (1997) and a hatchback named 112 (2000).

The car was designed and developed in the end of 80's - early 90's by AvtoVAZ and Porsche engineers (The Lada Samara was also partly developed by Porsche in 1984). The engine was the known from the Samara 1.5litre with electronic fuel injection unit developed by GM. In 2005 it was replaced with a 1.6litre euro4 engine.


In 1996 a 2litre version (21106) was also unveiled by Mega-Lada. Well designed aerodynamic bodykit, wheels put wide apart and lowered suspension to emphasize the sport character of the car. The positioning of the engine fixtures was changed, the wheel-base was increased by 48 mm and the width of track had also being increased by 76 mm. The engine was the well-known "red top" Opel C20XE.


Rally versions

In 1997 the Lada 110 2.0 "kit car" was presented in order to compete in the World Rally Championship (F2 class). The car was prepared in Great Britain by Motor Sport Developments (MSD). The max power of the car was 240 HP @ 7000 rpm and the weight was about 980 kgr.

In the beginning of the 21st century FIA introduced the S1600 class in rallies (also known as JWRC). Lada Motorsport started to develop the Lada 112 S1600 rally car. MTEC-Sport from Germany also helped in this project.


The next ambitious step was the Lada 112 S2000 project, a four wheel drive rally car with turbo unit, based on the Lada 112 and developed by MTEC-Sport and Lada Motorsport.


And now WTCC...

In 2005 AvtoVAZ and MTEC-Sport founded Lada Racing in order to compete in World Touring Car Championship starting in 2006.


However the Lada WTCC project was cancelled.
In the end of 2007 there were rumours about the return of the brand in the WTCC. This time a private team, Russian Bears Motorsport, would prepare two Lada 110 2.0 to compete. When FIA announced the WTCC 2008 entry list, it was confirmed.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

WTCC Rounds 5&6 - Valencia, Spain - 16-18 May 2008

On the first European event of the season, at Valencia on 16-18 of May, the Russian Bears Motorsport team and the Lada 110 2.0 S2000-spec made their maiden apperance in 2008 WTCC series.

However the two Lada 110 cars of Victor Shapovalov and Jaap van Lagen were considered transparent during the FIA WTCC races in Valencia, because of a technicality (the intake and the outlet ports of the cylinder head were not conform to the homologation form), and the cars were allowed to race upon the agreement of all the other competitors.
The team is due to make the needed adjustments in time for the next championship event, that will take place at Pau (France) on May 30th - June 1st.

16/05 Test Results:
20) Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 1:47.226

17/05 Free Practice 1 Results:
The two Russian Bears Motorsport Lada 110 cars did not take part in the session

17/05 Free Practice 2 Results:
20) Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 1:46.691
24) Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 1:48.983

17/05 Qualifying Results:
21) Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 2:04.796
Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 17:00.998 (DNQ)
(qualifying session on wet track, finally those who were DNQ were allowed to race)

18/05 Warm Up Results:
21) Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 1:46.050
22) Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 1:46.706

18/05 Race 1 Results:
1) Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti - 22:52.987
2) Gabriele TARQUINI - SEAT Leon TDI - 22:58.363
3) Jordi GENE - SEAT Leon TDI - 23:03.082
........................................................................................
20) Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 24:12.195
Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 3:08.796 (DNF)

18/05 Race 2 Results:
1) Alain MENU - Chevrolet Lacetti - 22:47.994
2) Robert HUFF - Chevrolet Lacetti - 22:50.435
3) Andy PRIAULX - BMW 320si - 22:51.946 13 3.952
.................................................................................................
Jaap van LAGEN - Lada 110 - 15:21.784 (DNF)
Victor SHAPOVALOV - Lada 110 - 3:50.218 (DNF)

photo: fiawtcc.com

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Lada in WTCC

Next weekend, May 17th & 18th, the third WTCC event will be held at Valencia (Spain). Two Lada 110 2.0 are expected to make their first appearance there. The cars are prepared and run by "Russian Bears Motorsport", a russian private team which has already participated in two races of 2007 WTCC with three BMW 320 E46.

The two drivers are the russian Victor Shapovalov (No 28) and the dutchman Jaap van Lagen (No 29).

The car has already been tested at Zandvoort (the Netherlands) and in the official WTCC test session at Oschersleben (Germany) and the results are encouraging by now.