Photo: Lukoil Racing

Dudukalo and Tarquini at SUNRED with Lukoil

Russian company Lukoil is going to partner SUNRED Engineering in the FIA World Touring Car Championship 2011. Russian driver Alexey Dudukalo and experienced touring car racer Gabriele Tarquini is going to drive a pair of SEAT Leon for the team.
“We are going to be a strong team in the WTCC with the support of Lukoil. It is nice to have Tarquini and Dudukalo in the team,” said SUNRED team boss Joan Orus.

Tarquini claimed the WTCC title in 2009 for SEAT and finished second last season with SUNRED.

“I am very pleased to continue to race in the WTCC. I am pleased that a company like Lukoil has signed a contract with me and I am glad to have Dudukalo as team mate. Last year I helped Alex in the SEAT Eurocup and I am pleased to help him in the WTCC this year,” said Tarquini.

The 35-year-old Dudukalo raced in the Russian Touring Car Championship in 2006 but has spent the last two years racing in the SEAT Leon Eurocup. The Russian finished sixth last year with one victory.

“I am pleased to be in the WTCC, it has been a dream for me over the last few years. I know Gabriele from last year, he helped me a lot in the Eurocup. I think that we together can become a strong force against our competitors in the WTCC this year,” said Dudukalo.

Lukoil is the largest oil producer in Russia.