ISSUE_007
Rallying Returns
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MAY 18TH
May 18, 2013
EDITOR’S COMMENTS
Up in yah
grill W
e may be a new automotive publication, but we’re staffed with seasoned professionals. That’s something I can’t forget whenever I start to assemble each issue of Ignition. As fresh off the boat as we are, the content doesn’t ref lect that. I just have to look at the picture that graces our centrespread this week. Two words — absolutely awesome. It could only be taken by a photographer with the presence of mind and control of his equipment. When they, and yes they, were handed over it was a tough choice to choose which to use as each progressive photo was equally amazing. For whatever reason, that one stood out. I’m not even going to say anything about the karting pictures. They give a totally different feel to the sport. And that’s why Ignition exists, to give a different feel to the coverage of this vibrant sector.
INSIDE
Sale Sale Sale -
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Revving it with Rerrie -
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Kids get faster -
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Ok, about the Wednesday thing. I know we said we’d move back to Wednesdays, but not for this week as we were caught overburdened by the news that the attempt to jump to a print edition is in the works. If things go forward, you should be holding a nice fresh paper copy of Ignition in your hands at the Dover Race meet on the 26th. If not, don’t fear we will make that transition at some point. Speaking of Motorsports, you can rest assured that our lead in, coverage, and round up will be on par with the best for Dover. With rally season kicking off on Sunday, I can already imagine the wonderful shots to hit my desk. Like the best drivers, you know it’s flat out from cover to back page. If you’re in the market for a car, now is the time. Dealers new and used are pushing every button to get you to drive something off their lot. Hopefully, the decision for that purchase comes from some small piece of information Ignition provided over the short length of our existence. Consumer advice and data from the major sales and shows happening this week, look for it.
INTERNATIONAL
ignitionweeklyja@gmail.com
That pesky internet - 2
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May 18, 2013
LOCAL
The 2013 Toyota FT86, centrestage at last week’s Toyotathon at Devon House.
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May 18, 2013
Toyotathon thunders to life By John Bridge
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he country’s number one automotive brand Toyota, as represented by local dealers Toyota Jamaica, took over the lawns of Devon house last Saturday to kick off their three-month sales event, Toyotathon. From now until July Toyota Jamaica will hold what it terms its biggest sale ever, offering large discount prices on its 2013 stock from the smallest car in their line-up, the Yaris, to the most luxurious, the Land Cruiser Prado. Commercial needs weren’t ignored as the industry standard Hilux pick-up and the venerable Coaster were also on sale. The layout of the show was simple stylish and effective as there was enough space between all of the display vehicles to handle the interest in them without things ever getting crowded. Under the Toyota tent those wanting more information and just to rest their feet after browsing could do so in comfort. Partnered with Toyota Jamaica were, Scotiabank, NCB, CIBC, and RBC to provide on the spot loan applications for customers wanting to take up the special pricing. If the prices weren’t incentive enough, interest rates down to 9% could be had as Toyota Jamaica threw in extras like vehicle tracking. Toyota has managed to retain its leading position based on what the company views as its overall ownership package. This is the combination of versatile, competitively priced product that fits a wide range of lifestyles, and the reliability
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LOCAL
May 18, 2013
LOCAL The 2013 Toyota RAV4 was the star of the show getting more interest than the FT86.
associated with the brand. They also proudly tout that Toyota owners enjoy the lowest cost of ownership, based on servicing and parts costs over the average life of the vehicle, and the highest resale value. Adding some spice to things was the very sporty FT86 attracting plenty of attention in the centre of the showcase, but the star was easily the 2013 RAV4. Redesigned from the ground up, it’s gone the full compact SUV route now bigger and no longer available with only two doors. Gone, as well, is the soft styling now replaced by a more aggressive visual appearance. What didn’t get left out were the key features that made it a popular choice in its market segment. The interior is now larger, still lavish, but with that rugged feeling. Drivability has been improved with a bigger more powerful engine options up to 2.5-litres and a raft of safety features that will keep soccer moms happy. Comfort hasn’t been ignored as upscale items like full leather, a powered sunroof and keyless entry can be had. Starting at a base price just over JS$4 million for the 2-litre two-wheel drive CVT equipped RAV4, buyers can go as high as under JA$6 million for the fully loaded models. The Toyotathon heads to Mandeville in June, and culminates in July at Toyota Jamaica’s recently opened Montego Bay branch.
The interior has received just as much attention as the exterior with high quality materials throughout.
The new SUV has been redesigned to give more space and comfort for haul the stuff their buyers love.
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May 18, 2013
LOCAL
Saturday saw Stewarts Auto Sales have their Discount Rush sale at their South Camp Road location.
Nester Carterbuthasa passion loves to run, forcars By Dwight Fraser
Deal e rs deal in May I f you’ve been shopping for a car you might have missed your chance as the month of May saw a record number of automotive dealers put their wares up for sale at seriously discounted prices in several major promotional events.
Toyota got things started with its Toyotathon last weekend at Devon House. With four banks in attendance they were willing to work with customers on price to get stock out the door. The most original prize must be given to ATL Automotive and their historic 36-hour sale. The event started at 8am Wednesday and finished on 8pm Thursday meaning the showrooms were open through the night. Talk about a case of midnight shopping. The press ads painted a very forceful intent to sell cars with buyers encouraged to just show up at the new Oxford Road showroom and their Montego Bay location with the minimum down payment
The Audi/VW showroom was open for a straight 36hrs this week to facilitate a massive sales event.
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of $100,000 to start the process of ownership of any model from brands under their umbrella Audi, VW, Range Rover, Jaguar and Honda. This weekend was a barrage of options as the Jamaica Motor Show headed to Mandeville with its focus more on regional used car dealerships. The other Stewarts made it a shopping Saturday with the Stewart’s Auto Sales Discount Rush at their South Camp Road showrooms. Promising amazing low prices and enticements such as 10% off insurance, buyers had the whole day to browse the entire model line from Mitsubishi and Suzuki while being courted by a gaggle of financial institutions. Prospective owners could lock in whatever negotiated price at the event for a few days after with a down payment. Not to be forgotten was the high end market. Silver Star Motors threw their prices into the gauntlet with its one day sale extravaganza on all Mercedes in stock.
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he current World and Olympic 100 and 200 meters Champion Usain Bolt is no strangers to cars — fast cars at that — having owned a 2009 BMW M3, before recently acquiring a Nissan R35 GT-R special-built from Nissan Motors with a jaw dropping 545 horsepower and a frightening top speed of 190 miles per hour. The former World record holder and double Olympic Relay Champion Asafa Powell is an avid race car driver, fan and mechanic, among his fleet is a 575 hp Mercedes CLK C63 Black Series. Michael Frater, the 2005 World Championship silver medalist competed recently at the Jamwest Speedway showing his love for cars as well. 2011 World Championship and 2012 Olympic relay Gold medalist from the MVP camp Nester Carter also finds himself among that very same group of track stars that love cars, but he revealed he’s more of a cruiser than a racer. Carter who owns a Honda Accord Coupe and a Honda Ridgeline spoke to Ignition recently. “When I am off the track I really love driving on the open road. Not in a careless or dangerous way, but just to feel the machine taking you places in comfort and style knowing that you are in control. I love that kind of independence.” Carter said his favourite cars are the Audi A8 and then Jaguar is next in line. “I love cars with raw speed but with a touch of class.” Asked if he would get into competitive racing after retiring, he reasoned, “ No, I don’t think so, I am more of a spectator, and I support all my team mates Asafa and Frater who would want to get into motor sport, but that competitive side of the motor vehicle industry is not for me.” “I love to see a car with unique sheen and I have a great taste for outfitting my cars with all the things that sets it apart from the others. Things like rims, mufflers and all the other specifications that separates me from the competition,” said Carter. He told Ignition that his favourite local drivers are Michael Frater, Asafa Powell, and Kyle Gregg. “I am happy that there is now a young driver who seems destined to provide good competition for the perennial crowd favourites David Summerbell Jr. and Douglas Gore.” Carter’s next taste of speed will be the men’s 100 metres at the Adidas Diamond League on May 25 in New York.
May 18, 2013
MOTORSPORTS
Rally season set to T
go
he Jamaica National Rally Championship is all set to go this Sunday as the orange groves of Bog Walk play host to its opening round, the Bybrook Tru-Juice Stages Rally. The event also sees the championship under the management of the recently formed Drivers Rallysport Club, the organization spun off from the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club to handle the future of the genre. Leading the charge is 2012 Rallysport and National Rally Champions Matthew Gore and co-driver Raymond Farquharson. Gore is keen to retain his title and pit his Toyota Starlet against the Honda Civic of his constant rival Daryl King on the harsh gravel stages. For Farquharson this is his first time back in the second seat after his terrible accident on last year’s Rally Jamaica. For King, it’s a quandary as he returns to the scene same where his 2012 rally hopes ended in an early season exit that left his Civic out of action and forced an extensive rebuild. Fans will have to watch and see if he’ll push or adopt a more conservative strategy going for points rather than an outright win. Not present will be Jordan Powell, who normally throws his own wrench into these battles. The top two contenders will have to deal with the other two-wheel drive competition Keith Saunders and Orville Johnson. As the sport is in rebuilding mode the faster four-wheel drive entries haven’t been confirmed as yet. The rumour mill has Joel Jackson, David Lee, and Peter Jaggon pegged to enter. The Tru-Juice Stages Rally starts at 8am. National Rallying is set to return on Sunday with the Bybrook Tru-Juice Stages rally.
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May 18, 2013
May 18, 2013
TEST DRIVE Ace rally driver Richard Rerrie stretches the legs of the 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI now available for sale at KIG.
Pro-Drive
I
t’s not often one gets to test-drive a performance car, even more to do so with professional assistance. That meant the only answer to the question which included these three phrases, 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, test-drive, and Richard Rerrie, was a resounding yes.
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May 18, 2013
TEST DRIVE Life’s a blur when you want it to be in the STI.
The concept of a test-drive doesn’t need to be explained, but the STI and Richard Rerrie do. To those less familiar Rerrie is the closest thing to a Subaru factory rally driver we have in Jamaica since he made the switch to the brand several years ago. Neck deep in a family of Mitsubishi, he’s never looked back adding significantly to the brand’s silverware count. He once famously called the Subaru Impreza WRX STI the best handling rallycar he’s ever driven and was keen to find out if that DNA was still present in the newest road-going version. Rerrie admitted this was his first time in the current generation of the Impreza STI and his first go in the sedan. He wasn’t too impressed by his original drive of the 5-door hatchback in 2010, as were most owners who forced Subaru not only to make the revisions now in place on all 2013 cars, but create this body style as well. The 2013 Impreza is an imposing machine, looking totally impractical 10
Clicking the Subaru’s selectable SI-DRIVE mode into Sport Sharp led to an explosion of power as the 300bhp from the low slung boxer engine pushed everything it had. for Jamaican roads with its large 18inch BBS forged wheels wrapped in condom thin 245/40/18 tyres. As our starting point was a rough field and marl road leading back to the public highway the 19 years of World Rally Championship bred engineering came through in a flash. Thin tarmac tyres or not, the only thing stopping the car from maximum acceleration was the care Rerrie took as he drove as not to chip the paint on the brand new all optioned out demo model and its JS$8.2 million sticker price looming large on the rear passenger side window. The STI rumbled easily across the less than perfect conditions eventually arriving at the more agreeable to speed tarmac. Clicking the Subaru’s selectable SI-DRIVE mode into Sport
Sharp led to an explosion of power as the 300bhp from the low slung boxer engine pushed everything it had into the short throw six-speed manual gearbox being controlled by Rerrie’s deft touch and out to the famous symmetrical all-wheel drive system. He loved the power delivery, much different than the restricted 2-litre engine in his rallycar, the STI’s 2.5-litre providing a generous torque curve giving that wonderful balance of lowend cruising in higher gears and easy acceleration without having to downshift. Even with the Multi-mode DCCD (Driver’s Control Centre Differential) automated differentials and the electronic nannies Rerrie still connected with the car. His slight inputs placing the willing chassis where he wanted it
and not where the computers would normally try and tell the driver it needed to go. Major inputs, like his unexpected handbrake turn, didn’t send the car into a restrictive frenzy. The large Brembo brakes could be tickled — helped not hindered by the SuperSport ABS — allowing one to dart in and out of trouble at leisure. Where the STI got Rerrie’s respect was in its refinement, something that has always kept it above the competition. As fast and as raw as the STI seemed to be, its low interior noise, well appointed spacious cabin that didn’t look like an afterthought and supple chassis meant it could go from beast to beast of burden whenever the driver wanted. As our travel lingered on in evening traffic the STI never became tiresome. The test-drive began in a blaze of speed, ending at a snail’s pace and the Subaru Impreza STI handled both extremes like the champion machine, the hallmark of a great driver’s car.
May 18, 2013
MOTORSPORTS
To the
Maxxis-mum
Ryan Chisholm (back) sizes up Zander Williams on his way to two Comer 50cc class final wins.
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May 18, 2013
MOTORSPORTS
Joshua Sirgany getting away while MarcAnthony Eaton tussles with Senna Summerbell.
K
arting returned to the Palisadoes International Raceway on May 5 after a long string of delays that kept the newest change to the sport from happening. From the Jamaica Karting Association’s second race meet all the major classes will run on a spec tyre provided by Maxxis. This was done under the club’s imitative to reduce participation costs and increase competitiveness by putting all the teams on potentially equal footing.
80 leaving him with a big target on his back to those wanting the Comer 50 title. Chisholm has been aiming for that target from round one and found it this meet around besting Williams to join a set of illustrious names, Joshua Sirgany and Thomas Issa, who were able to take two class final wins for the meet. Williams would be second for both with the Comer 50 lap record under threat for the next meet. Zander fared a bit better as a rookie in Comer 80, where he rejoined his rivalry with Moodie and Gore. Comer 80 no longer shares much with the 50cc class as it was revamped to train driv-
ers for the 125cc Rotax divisions. The rolling start and use of the full length of the circuit meant racecraft was the determining factor for victory as Mark Moodie proved in the first class final. Things got a bit rough in the second final, but awareness on the part of Duncan Stanley to avoid the NASCAR style racing ahead of him gave him the top podium spot and his maiden karting win. Where the tyres had the most effect was in the faster 125cc Rotax classes starting off with Rotax Minimax. To say Joshua Sirgany dominates this group doesn’t give the full picture
To say it was a success would be an understatement as the meet saw some of the closest racing to date along with a full complement of the regulars and a comeback that might herald the return of some older names. The entry-level Comer 50 class is the only group that didn’t have to run the new Maxxis tyres, but they were always competitive given the tight restrictions the race under, but the breakout start for the meet was Ryan Chisholm. Only two meets into his budding karting career he’s taken the fight directly to the class standard Zander Williams. Williams’ two major rivals, Mark Moodie and Thomas Gore, have moved to the faster Comer 12
The new equalizer.
of the level of racing that took place. While he did take the two finals, he found himself uncomfortably pressured for a huge chunk of the laps by MarcAnthony Eaton. Eaton, who seemed recharged by the new grip levels the Maxxis tyre provided, hung on to Sirgany for as long as he could. His progress forward was hampered by having to further deal with Senna Summerbell, son of the circuit legend David Summerbell Jr, threatening from behind. All three were one train until driving style began to work its way to the tyres. Eaton’s aggression had him fall back in the latter stages of both races, but never enough to give Summerbell a chance to advance. The other Sirgany, Justin, was overcome by mechanical issues to end his day. As the event got off to a late start the Junior and Senior class races were combined giving the crowd an overdose of on track activity. Thomas Issa, despite little pre-testing, was the name that filled the number one position for the two finals. He left William Myers and Jonathon Law to share the spoils of the remaining podium spots. Senior class was spiced up by Collin Daley Jr. He won the first race final, but couldn’t repeat the feat in the second. That position went to Fraser McConnell chased to the line by Matthew Williams all day.
May 18, 2013
MOTORSPORTS
It was rather lonely out front for Thomas Issa in Rotax Juniors.
Thomas Gore attempts to hold off Mark Moodie, a common scene in Comer 80.
Collin Daley Jr showing off his exotic driving style.
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May 18, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Kia to focus on quality not numbers
The CEO of Hyundai-Kia is said to be reluctant to build more plants because of the company’s focus on quality to raise its brand perception and take the fight to BMW and Audi instead of Toyota. This was revealed in a recent Automotive News Europe article, which also publicized the fact that Kia is at maximum production capacity due to the current high demand for its vehicles worldwide. The article said one of the primary constraints was production capacity as Kia simply doesn’t have the ability to make enough cars to meet its aims with the plants it has and that its suppliers are stretched to the limit. The effects of that position are being felt right now with both makers losing market shares. However, even in the face of this news Kia was forced to respond to a South Korean newspaper that apparently reported the company breaking ground as soon as this month on “KMMG2”, a second factory in Georgia with capacity for up to 150,000 units annually Kia has responded to the news by saying, “The report is all groundless.” The mayor of West Point, site of the current KMMG plant, said he didn’t know anything about such plans, nor did the Georgia department of economic development have knowledge of a new Kia factory.
New Corolla to match concept car
Toyota will launch the 2014 Corolla later this year, and Car and Driver magazine was able to uncover some information thanks to someone at a Toy-
Mercedes was pre-empted by the internet this week.
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ota dealer in Kansas who has seen the car, as well as its order guide, though the dealer’s site has since removed its original posting. The first glimpse of the next-generation Corolla’s design was at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, where Toyota unveiled the sporty and aggressive Furia concept. C/D says that the production car should have a couple of Furia bits mixed in with a huge helping of Camry-inspired styling. The 2014 Corolla will reportedly continue to use a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s Valvematic continuously variable valve timing. A four-speed automatic will be offered in the base model and six-speed manual transmission. Higher trim levels can be had with a CVT. Both engine output and fuel economy numbers should improve slightly over the 2013 model. Currently, the Corolla produces 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque, and achieves 27/34 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the fivespeed manual. Trim levels will now be called base, LE, S and Eco. Improvements have been made to the materials and equipment offered inside the cabin. Softex
leather will be available for 2014, as will a push-button start and a navigation system. Toyota has not confirmed any of this information, but official details on the fully freshened Corolla should soon be available
Ghosn orders Nissan USA to double sales by 2017
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has just one request for its United States arm, double its sales by 2017. “China was not our biggest, I would say, disappointment. It was mainly the United States. We were expecting a strong year in the United States. It didn’t happen,” Ghosn said, speaking at a conference after announcing Nissan’s 2012 fiscal results. Because of this, Ghosn has ordered his US executives to iron out the problems that affected new vehicle launches and to strengthen the company’s dealer network. In 2012, Nissan’s US sales rose to 1.1 million units – a five-percent increase, and a record, at that. But the
company’s overall market share fell from 8.2 percent to 7.7 percent, putting the company further away from its goal of having a 10-percent stake overall. Automotive News reports that the plan to increase sales includes increasing the number of dealerships in the US, doubling per-store sales and boosting its marketing efforts in key demographic groups.
2014 S-Class leaked to the Internet ahead of official launch
Images of the 2014 Mercedes S-Class were leaked earlier than expected by a user who uploaded scanned images from the German-language brochure for the upcoming sedan to German Car Forum. The W222 – which will not contain a single light bulb we’re told, only LEDs – will come in two lengths that have the same wheelbases as the current W221. Inside, along with those two 12.3-inch TFT screens, are a pair of back seats in the First Class Seating package that look outstanding. From the brochure, it looks like three models will come at launch. The twin-turbo V8 in the S550 goes up to 4.7-litres in capacity from 4.6 and gets 449 horsepower, a 20-hp bump over the present car, and 516 poundfeet of torque. The S350 Bluetec sticks with the 3.0-liter V6 but will get 258 horsepower, an 18-hp increase, and 457 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5-liter V6 and electric motor combo in the S400 Hybrid will get 302 hp, a jump of 27. The listed 0-60 time of the S550 is 4.8 seconds, but is limited to a 155 milesper-hour. The car was unveiled on May 15.
May 18, 2013
INTERNATIONAL
Pirelli confirms changes for Canada
Pirelli chief Paul Hembery has confirmed that the Italian tyre supplier will make changes to its F1 rubber in time for the Canadian Grand Prix. Hembery had admitted after the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona that the widely-used four-stop strategy had been ‘too much’ amidst concerns over the levels of degradation suffered throughout the Catalunya race. Following discussions in the aftermath of the race, Pirelli has now revealed that changes are to be made to the tyres in order to reduce the number of stops made during the races. A target of two or three stops per race will be the aim, with Pirelli seeking to be less aggressive without putting those who had already mastered the tyres at any kind of disadvantage. “Our aim is to provide the teams with a new range which mixes the stability of the 2012 tyres and the performance of the current ones,” Hembery said. “As a company, we have always moved quickly to make improvements where we see them to be necessary. After evaluating data from the first few races this year, we’ve decided to introduce a further evolution as it became clear at the Spanish Grand Prix that the number of pit stops was too high. “The Spanish Grand Prix was won with four pit stops, which has only happened once before in our history. These changes will also mean that the tyres are not worked quite as hard, reducing the number of pit stops.” Hembery added that some of the issues currently being encountered were down to the lack of testing opportunities in-season, with the current tyres having only been tested in lower track temperatures encountered over the winter.
The motorsport chief also said that steps were being taken to reduce the number of delaminations that have been seen so far in 2013. “With limited testing time, it’s clear now that our original 2013 tyre range was probably too performance-orientated for the current regulations,” he continued. “However, having identified this issue, we’re determined to rapidly resolve it.
back of an outing in the Porsche Supercup during the opening European F1 event of the year in Spain, where he finished in eleventh place. Loeb is also set to compete in the Monaco Grand Prix support race.
Loeb set for Rallycross outing
Gabriele Tarquini and Franz Engstler have been given the all clear by local medics at the Budapest Military Hospital after a monster crash in race two at the Hungaroring.
Sebastien Loeb has announced that he will add an outing in the European Rallycross Championship to his varied racing programme for the 2013 season. The nine-time WRC champion - who is competing in the FIA GT Series this season alongside four outings in the World Rally Championship and a run at Pikes Peak – will take part in his home event at Loheac in August. Loeb will be at the wheel of a Citroen DS3 for the event, where he will go up against former rally rival Petter Solberg, who has switched to Rallycross this season after failing to secure a drive in the WRC. It will be Loeb’s second appearance in rallycross competition after an outing in the X-Games last year. “2013 is definitely a year full of challenges,” he said. “I received a friendly invitation from the organiser Patrick Germain and I decided to respond favourably. Apart from the X-Games, I have no experience in Rallycross and so I expect to have to fight against the specialists. I enjoyed my experience at the X-Games and I expect something similar. “Loheac is the temple of Rallycross and it is also a very tough race. I could not pass up the opportunity to participate there at least once in my career.” News of Loeb’s Rallycross outing comes on the It was clear to all the condition of the tyres at the end of the race, even for race winner Alonso.
Tarquini will make next WTCC round
Tarquini, the elder statesman of Touring Car racing, will make the next round of the championship.
As the pack jostled for position at turn two on the opening lap, Tarquini made contact with Yvan Muller, which pitched the Honda driver driver sideways into the barrier. As his Castrol-backed car reentered the track, he was collected by Engstler, who had nowhere to go. Tarquini emerged from his car, walking over to the barrier, but a neck-brace was needed as a precautionary measure. Engstler was also walking and even climbed over the fence before making his way back to the pits, but was said be feeling pain in his back and chest. After the race, the FIA made an official statement on the condition of the drivers, confirming both had been taken to the local hospital. Tarquini was eventually discharged in the early hours of this morning, and a message was posted on Twitter by the official Honda Racing WTCC team on behalf of the touring car legend, who thanked fans for their concern and updated followers on his condition. “Eventually the hospital let me go!” the post read, “Thank you all for your concern, I’m in pain but still in one piece!” Tarquini and Engstler will return to action as the Salzburgring for the Austrian round of the championship in two weeks’ time. 15
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