One of our favorites here at My Life at Speed, Robb Holland, shared some big news today. A full time ride in the WTCC with Rotek Racing. As you may know, Robb is the first, and still the only, American driver to ever turn laps in the WTCC, and this new development will ensure that the 45 year old Touring Car standout will remain a part of the series. Congratulations Robb!
Here are the contents of the press release from Event Sports Media and Rotek Racing:
Rotek Racing Acquire Arena WTCC Focuses
Wednesday 24th April 2013:
Sonoma, CA based Rotek Racing is pleased to announce that it has acquired from Capsicum the two Ford Focuses that were run under the Team Aon banner by Capsicum’s touring car arm, Arena last season in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
Rotek Racing who already run a VLN team out of their European headquarters at the Nurburgring will test and develop the cars before entering the WTCC full-time later this year, possibly in time for the late European rounds but certainly for the ‘fly away’ races in the Americas and Far East. The team will initially be based in Germany at their Nurburgring facility but will move in early summer to new premises at Sonoma Raceway, CA, USA.
American Robb Holland will race one of the cars while negotiations are well advanced with another driver for the second Focus. The cars have been updated to 2013 specification and will be powered once more by the Mountune Performance developed 1.6 turbo ecoboost engine.
Full details including sponsorship will be announced at a later date.
Robb Holland: “Last season I became the first and to date the only American to race in the WTCC and so to be moving full-time into the series with an American team and an American manufacturer is very exciting.”
“The guys at Rotek Racing have acquired two well-built cars from Arena and I can’t wait to get started on the extensive test program they have planned between now and our WTCC race debut together.”
“The WTCC is packed with highlights but for me as an American, racing later this season, in September at home at Sonoma with an American team and manufacturer will be extra special.”
Rupert Swallow, Capsicum: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to pass the WTCC baton to Rotek Racing. On behalf of Capsicum I would like to wish them and driver Robb Holland every success when they take to the track later in the season.”
“I would also like to record Capsicum’s gratitude to Mike Earle and his team at Arena who have continued to work on the Focuses in difficult circumstances and have delivered two well-engineered and updated cars for Rotek Racing to develop further.”
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Issued on behalf of Rotek Racing by Eventsportsmedia.