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Official testing starts tommorow

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32 drivers and 17 teams will take part in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship official testing session in Monza, on March 22 and 23. Besides those who have confirmed their participation in the FIA WTCC, led by the 2004 FIA European Champion Andy Priaulx, the field will be completed by five competitors of the Italian Superturismo Championship.

This includes the latest addition of Alessandro Balzan at the wheel of a SEAT Toledo Cupra run by the Scuderia del Girasole; this is the former Rydell’s car that competed in the 2004 FIA ETCC.

Three drivers from the Swedish Touring Car Championship will also take part in the test: Tomas Engström, Jens Hellström and former Formula 1 racer Slim Borgudd who will take shifts at the wheel of the Honda Engström Motorsport cars: one Accord and one Civic. Engström and Hellström have already confirmed their participation in the FIA WTCC opening race meeting at Monza on 10th April.