Team Engstler going for the title in 2009
Team Engstler Motorsport is fully prepared for the new World Touring Car Championship season. Last week the team presented itself to the press. Franz Engstler and Kristian Poulsen will be driving a pair of BMW E90’s in the championship. Apart from the WTCC, the team will also participate in the German Procar series, like they already have done for some years.
When the team announced that they would be doing a full season in the WTCC in 2008, they said it was a fairytale becoming reality. The reality turned out to be a happy fairytale for the team, as they took second place in their first year in the series.
“It has been a great year”, team manager Kurt Treml said. “Everybody involved with the team gave more than 100 percent. The combination of team, drivers and partners was perfect.”
Now the team will start their second year in the World Touring Car Championship, and the only way to improve on last year’s performance is to take the independents title in 2009. “Of course the pressure increases now after last year’s success. But there are so many factors that make a team successful, which makes it very hard, if not impossible, to foresee what will happen. But at least now the real hard work begins”, Treml said.
According to Franz Engstler the team’s success of the past years, in the WTCC, the Procar series as well as in the ATCS, is down to three important pillars. “We couldn’t have done it this successful without these three pillars.
“Firstly there are our sponsors. They have been loyal to us, even in difficult times.”
“Secondly, the know-how of the team. They have been working very hard and have been cooperating perfectly. They have been working round the clock if they had to.”
“And finally, the technique itself is very important. We haven’t had a single technical defect all season, which is quite remarkable.”
“But of course, the family has been very important as well. It hasn’t always been easy for them, because we were away a lot and they stayed home. But they have always supported us in a great way!”
In their second year in the World Touring Car Championship, there will be a new driver for the team. Danish Kristian Poulsen will join the team, after doing some races with his own team in the championship in 2008. “Kristian and I met on track last season”, Franz Engstler explains. “He has made my life very difficult on the track from time to time, but it has always been a fair fight”.
“He has really impressed me with his driving”, Engstler continues. “I’m very happy to have him on the team. I’m positive he will score very important points for us the coming season.”
Last year Kristian Poulsen drove in the World Touring Car Championship and the Danish Touringcar Championship with his own team. Now he has stopped with his own team to join Engstler Motorsport. “I really have to thank Franz for this opportunity. When Franz asked me to join his team, it didn’t take me to long to say yes to it.”
“I’m very much looking forward to this new season and I’m absolutely positive we will be successful.”
“We’re fully prepaired for the coming season. Franz and I have just come back from Belgium, where we fitted new helmets at the Bell company, due to the new FIA regulations. And last thursday we tested at Hockenheim.”
Team Engstler will also be racing in the German Procar series this year. Roland Hertner and Remo Friberg will be driving the BMW’s in the national S2000 championship.
Pictures of the Engstler test at Hockenheim:
