"This Volvo S60 has a lot of potential"
The Volvo S60 entered in the Belgian Touring Car Series (BTCS) made its race debut this weekend on the Belgian track of Zolder, in the hands of Vincent Radermecker and Eric van de Poele. Progressing quickly with challenges in the first race heat, the car showed enormous potential by finishing 9th overall and 4th in its category in the second race heat.
The BTCS is a highly competitive championship for Touring Cars with more than 40 cars entered for the first race weekend in Zolder. The main attraction of the weekend was the Volvo S60 in the hands of Eric van de Poele and Vincent Radermecker.
In qualifying, the new S60 racing car showed its abilities by clocking the 5th and 6th times during the two sessions.
During the first race the team was forced to an unplanned pit stop and finished out of contention. Between the race heats, The Volvo team managed to solve the problem, caused by a clog in the fuel tank.
With the car back in competitive shape for the second heat, Eric van de Poele quickly climbed from 6th to 2nd position. Contact with a slower car during lapping resulted in a visit to the gravel trap and another unplanned pit stop. Back out on the track again, the Volvo S60 embarked a furious chase for position. From dead last the drivers advanced to an overall 9th over the finishing line.
"This car has a lot of potential", concluded Vincent Radermecker.
"I had a lot of fun driving it. Although frustrated that we missed out the podium this time, I am sure that we will be able to fight for a win very soon."
Volvo Car Corporation Motorsport Department is equally satisfied with the start of the BTCS-season.
"We must remember that this car was just an idea four months ago and the team came to the first race with a completely new car and only 120 kilometers of testing. This to be compared with our STCC program (Swddish Touring Car Championship) where we already have tested 3,000 kilometers ahead of this season premiere" says Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director.
Technical Specification Volvo S60 BTCS
Regulation: BTCS Silhouette S1
Chassis: Tubular frame
Front Suspension: Independent with 3-way adjustable shock absorbers
Rear Suspension: Independent with 3-way onboard adjustable shock absorbers
Brakes: 6-piston callipers, 380 mm discs at the front and 6-piston callipers, 355 mm discs at the rear
Engine: Mid-mounted standardised 3500 cc V6
Engine Power Output: 410 hp with 412 Nm at 5500rpm
Gearbox: Six-speed sequential. Rear-wheel drive
Wheels: 10" X 18" front and 12" X 18" rear
Tyres: Michelin 27/65/18 front and Michelin 30/65/18 rear
2010 Racing Calendar for the all-new Volvo S60 in the BTCS series
April 30-May 2 Dijon-Prenois
June 4-6 Spa-Francorchamps
July 9-10 Spa-Francorchamps
September 17-19 Spa-Francorchamps
October 8-10 Zolder
More information about the Belgian Touring Car Series: http://www.btcseries.be/
