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Big entry, big action expected as ETCC resumes in Slovakia

Race preview: Slovakia Ring (SLK), rounds three and four of 12, 19-21 June 2015
Big entry, big action expected as ETCC resumes in Slovakia
The chase for FIA European Touring Car Cup glory continues in Slovakia next week (19-21 June) when the
country's only permanent race track, the Slovakia Ring, hosts rounds three and four of what is already
proving to be an enthralling season.

Six weeks after the 2015 ETCC kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Hungaroring, Slovakia Ring marks the first of two events on consecutive weekends with Paul Ricard in France next up on the schedule from 26-28 June. A popular fixture on the ETCC calendar since 2012, the Slovakia Ring presents a tough challenge for the drivers, which total a season-high 21 through the addition of five race-by-race entrants.

While all 21 competitors have what it takes to shine, one driver set for a greater share of the limelight is Slovak rising star Mato Homola. Aged 20, Homola finished runner-up in last season's TCT2 division but is now armed with a SEAT León Cup Racer, which he'll use to chase overall and Single Make Trophy honours. As well as the two nine-lap ETCC races, Homola will take part in both World Touring Car Championship events in Slovakia after he secured a one-off drive with the Campos Racing team, an agreement that not only hands Homola a gilt-edged opportunity to stand out but also underlines the importance of the ETCC as a stepping stone for future WTCC stardom.

"It's a great opportunity for me," said Homola. "The start to the year has not been so good for three seasons in a row now so I really want to take some points in Slovakia [after a tough Hungary]. But really I want to win the ETCC races. I know the car and I know the circuit, in fact I tested the car at the circuit before the season started so I know what to expect. I have big support from the Slovak fans and this will help me a lot."

TC2T: Kajaia on a roll Davit Kajaia heads the TC2T standings for 1.6-litre turbocharged cars conforming to the Super 2000 TC2T regulations. The Georgian scored a class double in Hungary where Turkish rivals and fellow BMW drivers Aytec Biter, Ümit Ülkü and Galip Atar all impressed.
TC2: Matĕjovský holds narrow advantage over Rikli A single point separates Michal Matĕjovský (BMW) and Peter Rikli (Honda) in the TC2 standings, which continues as the secondary division for normallyaspirated two-litre machines. Czech Matĕjovský and Swiss Rikli scored a class win apiece in Hungary where Daniel Conrad made his ETCC debut and Ibrahim Okyay his championship return.
Super 1600: Mackschin the driver to beat German youngster Niklas Mackschin established himself as the driver to beat at the Hungaroring with a brace of S1600 wins in his Ford Fiesta. Fast female Ulrike Krafft, Luxembourg's defending class champion Gilles Bruckner and Florian Hildner will all be aiming for strong points in their Fiestas.
Single Make Trophy: Ficza continues ETCC battle with Borković Now exclusively for SEAT's new-for- 2015 León Cup Racer, the Spanish machines captured the outright wins in Hungary with teenaged local hero Ferenc Ficza claiming the laurels in race one before Dušan Borković finished first in the second race.

Ficza is competing as a race-by-race entrant but has extended his agreement with Zengő Motorsport to compete in Slovakia where Norbert Tóth will join him in a second Zengő entry. Serbian team Lein Racing will also be in action next weekend with Dejan Bulatovic and Mladen Lalusic. Other drivers to watch include championship regulars Petr Fulín, the TC2 champion of 2014, Andrea Pfister, Ronny Jost and Homola.

The contenders (Slovakia Ring, 19-21 June)
No. Class Driver (NAT) NSA** Entrant Car
2 TC2T Ümit Ülkü (TUR) TOSFED ÜLKÜ MOTORSPORT BMW E90 320 TC
3 TC2T Galip Atar (TUR) TOSFED ÜLKÜ MOTORSPORT BMW E90 320 TC
4 TC2T Aytac Biter (TUR)* TOSFED Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport BMW E90 320 TC
5 TC2T Davit Kajaia (GEO) DMSB LIQUI MOLY Team Engstler BMW E90 320 TC
12 TC2 Peter Rikli (CHE) ASS Rikli Motorsport Honda Civic FD
13 TC2 Ibrahim Okyay (TUR) TOSFED Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport BMW E90 320 si
20 TC2 Michal Matĕjovský (CZE) ACCR Krenek Motorsport BMW E90 320 si
24 TC2 Daniel Conrad (CHE) ASS Rikli Motorsport Honda Civic FD
31 S1600 Gilles Bruckner (LUX) ACL Gilles Bruckner Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V
33 S1600 Ulrike Krafft (DEU) DMSB RAVENOL Team Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V
36 S1600 Niklas Mackschin (DEU) DMSB Niklas Mackschin Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V
38 S1600 Florian Hildner (DEU) DMSB Florian Hildner Ford Fiesta 1.6 16V
55 SMT Andreas Pfister (DEU) DMSB ADAC Team Hessen-Thuringen e.v SEAT León Cup Racer
62 SMT Dejan Bulatovic (MNE)* AMSCG Lein Racing SEAT León Cup Racer
66 SMT Ronny Jost (CHE) ASS Topcar Sport SEAT León Cup Racer
70 SMT Mato Homola (SVK) SAMS Homola Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer
72 SMT Petr Fulín (CZE) ACCR Krenek Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer
96 SMT Ferenc Ficza (HUN)* MNASZ Zengő Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer
77 SMT Mladen Lalusic (SER)* AMCC Lein Racing SEAT León Cup Racer
98 SMT Dušan Borković (SER) AMCC Nis Petrol Racing Team SEAT León Cup Racer
99 SMT Nortbert Tóth (HUN)* MNASZ Zengő Motorsport SEAT León Cup Racer

*Race-by-race entry **Nations' Cup eligibility
Points and prizes A season-long prize fund of 250,000 Euros is on offer in conjunction with the ETCC's tyre partner Yokohama. It will be shared out between the various leading class finishers at all six rounds.

For each category, points will be awarded as follows: Fastest three drivers in qualifying: 3-2-1. Top eight finishers in each race: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. Double points will be awarded at the final round. There is no overall classification. Remaining events: Paul Ricard, France (26-28 June), Brno, Czech Republic (4-6 September), Zolder, Belgium (18-20 September) and Pergusa, Italy (9-11 October).
Standings after round 2 of 12 TC2T: 1 Davit Kajaia (23pts); 2 Aytec Biter (17); 3 Ümit Ülkü (13); 4 Galip Atar (11). TC2: 1 Michal Matĕjovský (21); 2 Peter Rikli (20); 3 Daniel Conrad (12); 4 Ibrahim Okyay (6). S1600: 1 Niklas Mackschin (23); 2 Ulrike Krafft (18); 3 Gilles Bruckner (13); 4 Florian Hildner (9); 5 Christian Kranenberg (5). Single Make Trophy: 1 Ferenc Ficza (18); 2 Dušan Borković (18); 3 Petr Fulín (16); 4 Andreas Pfister (9); 5 Ronny Jost (8); 6 Alexandr Artemyez (6); 7 Mato Homola (5).

Television coverage and promotion Eurosport will broadcast highlights from the opening three rounds and live coverage of the closing three events, while a revamped version of Fiaetcc.com will be launched soon. ETCC drivers will be included in selected promotional activities at WTCC races, while the overall champion will be invited to the FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony at the end of the year. Eurosport 2 will broadcast highlights coverage at 18h00 CET on Tuesday 23 June.

Key timings Friday 19 June: 11h35-12h20: Testing 1; 14h45-15h30: Testing 2 Saturday 20 June: 08h55- 09h25: Free Practice; 16h10-16h40: Qualifying; 16h50 (estimated): Post-qualifying press conference Sunday 21 June: 08h15-08h30: Warm-up; 10h05: Race 1 (9 laps, rolling start); 11h10: Race 2 (9 laps, standing start); 11h45 (estimated): Podium; 11h55 (estimated): Post-race press conference.