Photo: Renault Sport Argentina

Newly crowned Super TC 2000 champion Facundo Ardusso eyes DTM and WTCR

Renault Sport driver Facundo Ardusso claimed the 2017 Super TC 2000 title last weekend and has set his sights on the DTM and FIA WTCR for the future.

“I like racing in Argentina, but some day I’d love to test a touring car in Europe, to get the feeling on what is it about. I like DTM but WTCR looks good too,” said Ardusso to TouringCarTimes.

The 29-year-old won the title in Córdoba, beating former champions Agustín Canapino and Matías Rossi, as well as new Turismo Nacional C3 champion Mariano Werner in the final round of the year.

Ardusso arrived on top of the standings to the season finale and after claiming pole position, Canapino and Rossi was out of title contention, meaning Werner was his only rival.

“Pole position was vital for the race, but I never relaxed. Only on the last lap of the race. After I crossed the line I thought about my family and all we’ve been through. All the effort we and the team did finally paid off,” said Ardusso.

In 2008, on the same track where he won the title last weekend, Ardusso experienced the worst moment of his life: a huge pile-up in a Turismo Nacional C3 race where his car was badly damaged and he suffered skull injuries, fractures to his face and damage to his hips, putting him in coma for three days.

After a long period of recovery, he won the Formula Renault 2.0 title in 2009 and his next big achievement came less than a week ago with the 2017 Super TC 2000 title.

”To win here was a complete revenge for me and if I could, I would definitely have chosen Córdoba to win this title,” said Ardusso.

The Argentinian received a warm welcome in his hometown Las Parejas the days after his achievement.

“Yesterday, we ran a sponsor day with the team in Buenos Aires, only when I arrived and saw my car already wearing #1, I realised I had won the title. Anyway, I was really moved by the welcoming in Las Parejas. I appreciate their love and support during all of my career,” said Ardusso.