SEAT-boss responds to diesel criticism
The introduction of diesel cars in the WTCC has stirred things around. SEAT introduced the Léon TDi at Anderstorp last year and the car was an immediate success. The SEAT 1-2-3-4-5 at Puebla confirmed the domination of the diesel. The voices within the WTCC are separated and TouringCarTimes had a chat with a number of key figures about the diesel cars.
“I do not know what the problem is. It is the same discussion as between rear wheel-drive cars and front wheel-drive cars,” said SEAT Motorsport boss Jamie Puig to TouringCarTimes.com.
“The BMW is a fast car and also the Chevrolet. If BMW would come with a diesel engine I am sure it would be good,” said Puig.
In a recent column, by TouringCarTimes-founder Johan Meissner, the diesel rules were criticized for only bringing higher costs and unspectacular racing. The column can be found here!
This is however something Puig does not agree to.
“There are no differences in costs to run a diesel car or a petrol car. To develop a new engine is expensive, but the costs are not so much higher. People who have said that a diesel engine would be much more expensive should show me their bills for it. If they do not run diesel engines they cannot say anything,” Puig said.
BMW are currently developing a diesel, as reported by TouringCarTimes in november last year, in response to SEAT’s domination. But when the diesel BMW would be introduced is still unset.
“That we tested a diesel powered car in the current car specification at Valencia last year is common knowledge. I cannot say if we will race the diesel. That decision is in the hands of Mario Thiessen,” said Schnitzer team boss Charly Lamm.
The eventual introduction of the diesel BMW will most likely take place, at the earliest, in three races. The engine rules of the WTCC requires each engine to run two races. Two races have gone in the WTCC 2008-season so far, and with no introduction of the diesel engine at Valencia in two weeks, BMW have to wait another two races before introducing a new engine without getting a penalty.
“The car still has some potential for improvements and we will see what we can make of that in Valencia and Brno. We will have to wait for those two races and then we will see what happens,” said Lamm.
Chevrolet on the other hand still looks to stand outside of the diesel war. Chevrolet-driver Robert Huff thinks they will have a problem if BMW also introduces a diesel engine.
“If BMW comes with a diesel we will have a problem. We have not got a diesel engine in the pipeline. It would not be good for our own project,” said Huff.
For next year a new Chevrolet-model will be introduced for the WTCC, but with a normal petrol engine.
“We are developing a new car and a new engine for 2009 and things are looking quite good. The car looks nice and we will try and test the car before the end of the season,” said Huff.
SEAT-driver Rickard Rydell, who rejoined the team for this season, does not agree with the discussion that diesel is a problem for WTCC.
“I do not understand the discussion. In Brazil the BMW’s were the fastest cars and in Mexico we were fastest. But look at Tom Coronel, he finished sixth at Mexico with a petrol-powered SEAT. I think it is too early to discuss this. After the two coming races we can discuss it, but before it does not make any sense,” said Rydell.
