Magny Cours preview

The Telefónica World Series by Nissan debuts in Magny Cours with its all-new Dallara Nissan single-seaters, the next 30 and 31st of August. Franck Montagny (Marseille, 1978) is the favourite driver to take both wins at the French venue, and regain the lead. The Brazilian driver Ricardo Zonta tops the provisional overall, with 6 points of advantage from Leinders (KTR).

Jonathan Cochet and Walter Lechner Jr. will make their debut at the Magny Cours event.

The World Series teams started TODAY at Magny Cours a two-day test (Times available at the official site: http://www.telefonicaworldseries.com

After the Summer brake, teams and drivers are in duty again since today, as they are currently preparing the fifth meeting of the Telefónica World Series by Nissan, that will take place here, at the circuit of Magny Cours (France). Ricardo Zonta (Gabord Competición) is the current leader of the Series, while Bas Leinders is only 6 points behind the Brazilian. Leinder¹s Team, KTR announced recently their new sponsor, the Anderlecht Football Club. Yet the arrival of another Football Club is expected to be announced as an Official Sponsor in the Racing Engineering team. The announcement will be made during the celebration of the French event (30 and 31st of August).

Franck Montagny looks pretty confident facing his home race, but another impressive local driver has arrived at the Series. The Italian GD Racing team has signed a two-race deal with Jonathan Cochet. The Frenchman will replace Rafael Sarandeses, who left the Italian-based squad at the end of July (see News 53).

Walter Lechner Jr., former Formula Ford Champion in Austria and Germany, will make his debut at Zele Motorsport, by replacing the Italian Bellarosa.

The winning French team Epsilon by Graff owned by Michel Leconte is also working hard to perform well at Magny Cours. Jean Christophe Ravier and Ander Vilariño will battle for the World Series victory, while Gelete Nieto, Lucas Lauda and Celso Míguez will try to improve their results in the Formula Nissan 2000 category.

Formula Nissan 2000: Adrian Vallés replaces Borja García at the Escuela Lois Circuit^Ê. And García finds a seat in Venturini Racing.

The Spanish driver Santiago Porteiro (Repsol-Meycom) leads the Formula Nissan 2000 after achieving two important victories at Monza (July 7). Bobbi (Vergani Racing) still second in the overall, and Perez Aycart (Escuela Lois-Circuit) is third. The young Adrián Vallés, another Valencian driver, is ready to jump in the Coloni-Nissan cars for the very first time. Vallés is the current leader of the Spanish Fjunior Championship and he will be having a double job till the end of the Season. Borja García has now found a seat with the Italian team Venturini, as Sernagiotto is out. García still fourth of Series and he achieved one podium last year.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS WORLD SERIES
1. R. Zonta, 124 points; 2. B. Leinders, 118; 3. F. Montagny, 105; 4. J. Wilson, 46; 5. J.C.Ravier, 41; 6. N.Filiberti, 32; 7. A. Couto, 31; 8. P. Sundberg, 27; 9. A. Burgueño, 23; 10. T. Rocha, 19.

FORMULA NISSAN 2000
1. S.Porteiro, 114 points ; 2. M. Bobbi, 91; 3. J.M. Pérez-Aicart, 84; 4. . B. García, 64; 5. C. Míguez, 57; 6. A. Belicchi, 56; 7. F. Navarrete, 52; J.A. del Pino, 52; 9. P. Alho, 31; 10. G. Sernagiotto.

Timetable Event

Thursday-
14h00-15h00-Formula Nissan 2.0 Private Practice
17h15-18h15-Formula Nissan 2.0 Private Practice - Friday-
09h10-09h55-World Series Private Practice
10h05-10h35-Formula Nissan 2.0 1st. Qualifying Practice
13h30-14h00-World Series 1st. Qualifying Practice
14h10-14h40-Formula Nissan 2.0 2nd. Qualifying Practice
16h30-17h00-World Series 2nd. Qualifying Practice
18h40-Formula Nissan 2.0 Race#1 (16 Laps) - Saturday-
08h45-09h00-World Series Warm Up
10h00-Formula Nissan 2.0 Race#2 (16 Laps)
12h15-World Series Race#1 (17 Laps)
14h15-World Series Race#2 (25 Laps - Pit Stop 5/17)
15h00-Press Conference

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