Ibrahim Okyay to join Monza grid

Turkish racing driver Ibrahim Okyay will make an appearance at the next round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship at Monza.

The five-times Turkish touring car champion will take part in his normally aspirated BMW 320si run by Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport.

Okyay drove in the 2008 WTCC, finishing sixth in the Yokohama Independents’ Trophy, and also took part in the 2010 FIA European Touring Car Cup, where he placed fourth.

“Although we managed to achieve brilliant results in the ETCC and in Turkey, we are aware of how difficult is to be successful in the WTCC,” said Okyay.

“I don’t think that the BMW 320si may be competitive against the 1.6 turbo cars. But it’s good to be back in the World Championship, because our plan is to compete in the whole season in 2012 and the races in Monza will help us to understand where we are.”

Okyay is also planning to take part in the eighth round of the championship at Oschersleben, as well as this year’s single event European Touring Car Cup race at the Salzburgring on July 24th.