LOCAL LAD DONE
GOOD: RODRIGUES COMPLETES WTCR RACE OF PORTUGAL WILDCARDS
*Tiago
Monteiro’s protégé set for WTCR OSCARO debut at home event
*Strong Vila
Real record boosts Rodrigues ahead of big opportunity
*He joins
compatriot Edgar Florindo for street racing spectacular
José Rodrigues has been confirmed as the second wildcard
for FIA WTCR Race of Portugal: a huge opportunity for the 28-year-old
rising talent to showcase his skills on an international stage.
Based in nearby Braga, Rodrigues is no stranger to the
challenging Vila Real street track, which hosts Portugal’s rounds of
the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO from 22-24
June.
He was a Vila Real winner in 2016 and claimed a podium
finish when he made a one-off appearance in the FIA European Touring
Car Cup last season.
“I'm glad to announce that I will participate in the WTCR
in Vila Real,” said Rodrigues. “Since I was a child, it was a dream to
race in an FIA world-level event so I'm really proud. It is the result
of many years of effort and also the passion of those who have always
supported me.”
Rodrigues is part of Tiago Monteiro’s Skywalker Management
company and has been quick to recognise the support he gets from his
country’s best touring car driver.
“During the weekend I will try to put in practice all I
have learned so I can compete with the world’s best racers,” said
Rodrigues. “Tiago is one of the best in the world and with his help I
will try to improve session by session so a special thanks to him,
Skywalker Management and my family.”
While Rodrigues, who will drive for Target Competition, is
new to WTCR OSCARO, he’s familiar with the TCR cars used in the
all-action series having raced in Germany and Portugal previously. And
he claimed a TCR Italy podium when the series visited Paul Ricard in
France earlier this year.
“Being in my own country and with our people is an
excellent opportunity,” he said. “I have achieved a lot of good results
at Vila Real so it will be interesting to fight on the WTCR OSCARO
grid.”
A maximum of two wildcards per event are being given the
opportunity to race in WTCR OSCARO in 2018. Championship promoter
Eurosport Events, in conjunction with motorsport’s world governing
body, the FIA, will select candidates based on performances at national
level, their potential as future full-time WTCR drivers or if their
participation has the possibility to attract additional interest from
fans and media. Edgar Florindo’s wildcard entry for WTCR Race of
Portugal was announced live on Vila Real’s
TH
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