FIA gives all-clear for new ETCC regs

The FIA wanted assurances that three manufacturers were going to homologate models to the new rules and that at least 18 cars would be on the grid next year. Although BMW pulled out of the negotiations at the last minute, Nissan filled the breach to join Alfa Romeo and Volvo in the pact to support the new regulations.

The FIA gave the go-ahead to the regulations today (Wednesday) and both Super 2000 and Super Production cars will race together in the series, although only Super 2000 drivers will be eligible for the ETCC title.

The three manufacturers will now confer on which common components they will use to cut costs, another of the FIA's stipulations.

Alfa Romeo has committed to build between six and eight cars, running two or three as factory entries. Volvo says it has received a lot of interest from teams and is currently developing its car with British preparation experts Prodrive, who are expected to run some of the S60 cars. Nissan has not made a firm commitment beyond agreeing to homologate a car for customers.

"Super 2000 are the best rules possible for the ETCC," said Alfa Romeo's touring car chief Mauro Sipsz. "The rules are very similar to the BTCC but without their common parts, because that is [BTCC organiser] TOCA's business. It was important that we get these rules running next year, because if all we did was talk, talk, talk, that would have been no good. OK, we only have three manufacturers involved but I think it's possible that we will have more in the future."

Both SEAT and Volkswagen have said that they wish to join the series, if it is a success, in 2003 and 2004 respectively. BMW Italy is also thought likely to upgrade its Super Production cars to Super 2000-spec next year.

Next year's race dates are listed below.


Monza (Italy), April 21
Silverstone (UK), May 5
TBA (Spain), May 19
Brno (CZ) or Zolder (Belgium) or Lausitz (Germany), June 2
Anderstorp (Sweden), June 30
Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), August 4
Zandvoort (Holland), September 8
Nurburgring (Germany), September 22
TBA (Italy) or Estoril (Portugal), October 6
Magny-Cours (France), October 20