2010 Argentinian TC2000 Series

[Belatti]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I thought the new spec engine has more power and therefore quicker lap times.

The spec engine makes TC2000 not 2000 anymore because they are based on the Ford/Mazda Duratec 2300cc. Thats why they have more torque than the previous engines, they are cheaper (service every 5000km) spin 1000rpm less and have less than 310HP (the "old" 2000cc engines reached 320HP)

Since 2009 together with the spec engine, the Pirellis size was increased and new compounds where used I have heard, that helped quicker lap times

[Belatti]

Last weekend, the first endurance race of the season (round 6) has been held in Termas de Rio Hondo track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1Ga_...eature=related

It was an Honda 1-2-3 with Pernia-Altuna-Lopez in that order.

The rules for this special event stated that there were 2 mandatory pit stops: 1 for fuel and 1 for tyres. Also you couldnt refuel after saturday Qualy.

I did not understand the dumb strategy of some teams, for example Renault (who set the Pole and retired Rossi´s car from parc-ferme to refuel it). Rossi (and many others) started the race from the back of the grid and then stoped for tyres in the early laps of the race.

Many cars pited early and then had to stop again with tyre punctures.

I think some teams didnt realize to vent the fuel tanks as the reload was by gravity. You could see teams were fuel practically dissapeared inside the tank and others fuel pitstops seemed to last forever...

Other teams apparently didnt practice tyre changing enough. The pitstops lasted a million hours, some mechanics seemed lost sometimes and there were several errors, like when a wheel came out of a Peugeot.

It may sound like Im but everything Im writing now are the same thoughts I had while watching the race on sunday.

The only one that did everything fine was Honda. Hene the 1-2-3. Lopez was taken out of the track by Ledesma´s Chevrolet (who was penalized) but could recover.

[NaBUru38]

Drivers should have been banned to manke the mandatory in the earlier and latter 15 laps / 25 minutes, and forced to make the first and seccond at least 15 laps / 25 minutes apart.

[Belatti]

anyways, the facts prove that those strategies where not good and that the ones that went for middle distance stops ended winning

[NaBUru38]

The Buenos Aires 200km, to be held on November 7, is the only of TC2000's endurance races this year with guest drivers. Yesterday it was announced that Toyota's Mariano Werner will be partnered by Esteban Guerrieri.

Guerrieri was guest driver of Renault last TC2000 season in the three endunrace races. In 2008 he finished 8th in Formula Renault 3.5 with one win and a third place, having missed five races. In 2009 he won two races and finished second another race at the Superleague Formula. Despite missing three Formula Renault 3.5 races this year, he stands fourth in the championship with three wins and a second place. However, he's still looking for funding for his European open-wheel career.

[FIRE]

Just watched the race. Good racing.

[Belatti]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Just watched the race. Good racing.

The whole 2 hours?

[FIRE]

Yes I enjoyed the race, but that's almost always with TC2000 races. Only problem I don't speak Spanish so it's difficult to follow everything.

[kobefly]

Next race will be held in La Rioja (first time in that circuit for TC2000 I think) on Sunday 22nd.

[NaBUru38]

"Va a ganaaaaar... ganóóóóó!!!" means "(He)'s gonna wiiiiiin... (he) wooooon!!!"

[Belatti]

Only problem I don't speak Spanish so it's difficult to follow everything.

Well, its not that you are loosing a lot.

Its more entertaining on saturdays qualy coverage where it gets a bit more technical when they show the cars closely.

[NaBUru38]

Minnesotan technology company 3M is now title sponsor of the Argentine TC2000 Championship, which is the rarely used full title (until now). I had never heard about an Argentine series with a title sponsor (except Formula Renault and the like).

[kobefly]

I have already uploaded torrent with the 2 races held in La Rioja yesterday.
For those interested you can PM me and I will give you more details if you are not aware where to find them.

[Belatti]

Kobe, have you got the complete entry list for the BsAs 200km? I have heard that besides the local "stars" who doesnt race in TC2000 there will be other drivers like Gabriele Tarquini, Esteban Guerrieri and Eric Comas.

[NaBUru38]

Invited drivers will be negotiating until the last few days.

[Hazard]

Esteban Guerreri & Gabriele Tarquini have already been confirmed for Toyota and Honda respectively.

Now, Yvan Muller & Alain Menu will race for Chevrolet
http://www.touringcartimes.com/article.php?id=5175

[Belatti]

Oh thanks Hazard, thats a nice page I didnt know.

[NaBUru38]

The invited Fiat drivers will be Juan Manuel "Cochito" López, Marcelo Bugliotti, Augusto Scalbi and Ezequiel Baldinelli.

[Belatti]

Next weekend we have got TC2000 together with Sudam F3 in Santa Fe city street circuit. I dont know if this year there will be some night racing.

To add something to the 2011 silly season / rumour mill I have heard that Audi will be in TC2000 with a branch of one top TC team... the one that is winning all in TC 2010...

[NaBUru38]

Both the TC2000 and the F3 will be racing at night.

Lincoln, that is? Not bad news. But Audi??? I'd expect the new VW Jetta, but not the A3 or A4.

[Belatti]

A4 is what I heard...

[Belatti]

You all have got to see this race:

http://video.carburando.com/TC-2000-...2609F65454.htm

Even if it is in a narrow street circuit the guys did show spectacular fights, check Fontana´s try (Ford) and how Spataro (Fiat) stays there, sideways. Awesome.

[Gil Abobeleira]

Originally Posted by Belatti

You all have got to see this race:

http://video.carburando.com/TC-2000-...2609F65454.htm

Even if it is in a narrow street circuit the guys did show spectacular fights, check Fontana´s try (Ford) and how Spataro (Fiat) stays there, sideways. Awesome.

FIA/KSO/Eurosport: Learn something from this!

Even though some of the cars are "ancient" from European standarts (Fiat Linea and Renault Megane), heck, they are much better looking than the boring S2000!

[NaBUru38]

TyC Sports chose to broadcast Argentine football over a night street race... I'm not sure if the day race will be broadcasted, or I will have time to watch it.

Is that link the full race?

[kobefly]

Night race took place yesterday evening in Santa Fe Streen Circuit.


Emiliano Spataro (Fiat Linea) had a wild race, lost P1 after Norberto Fontana (Ford Focus) touched him trying to gain a place after a restart of the race. MatÃ*as Rossi (Renault Megane) took advantage of that situation passing them both.






Then Spataro was able to recover P1 with a cleaner pass to Renault's driver MatÃ*as Rossi.