Seat getting ready

The SEAT Sport team have spent the past three days testing in Albacete and Valencia, continuing the development programme of the SEAT Toledo Cupra car that will race in the upcoming FIA World Touring Car Championship.

With just over a month left before the first FIA WTCC race in Monza, the three SEAT Sport drivers are stepping up their training schedule. First, they all went to Albacete for an intensive one-day session, followed by two days at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia alongside Alfa Romeo and Chevrolet works teams. Despite low temperatures, the dry weather allowed the team to work hard.

“We have followed our schedule, working on the suspension, differential and brakes,” team manager Antonio Rodriguez explained. “These three days have been pretty much productive and the three cars were able to lap in the same times. Even Peter Terting on his first visit at Albacete, kept up with his team-mates.” Jordi Gené said: “I’m happy with my lap times in Valencia. I like the circuit layout but it doesn’t suit my driving style. Therefore it’s reassuring that my times were similar to my team-mates’. It’s a sign that our work is paying off.”

Leon to replace Toledo

Despite that the Toledo is currently being prepared for the coming WTCC season, that model will be replaced shortly. The smaller Leon will replace it later during the 2005 season. All though recent reports have made it clear that the debut could be pushed until the WTCC 2006 start. SEAT recently revealed how the Leon will look in Super 2000 spec´ as you can see illustrated below.