FIA F3000 International Championship.
Round 9 (of 12).
Hockenheim, Germany. 27^th – 28^th July.
Race preview.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS NORDIC HEAD TO THE FOREST.

FIA F3000 International Championship leaders Coca-Cola Nordic Racing head to the forests of Hockenheim, Germany for round nine of the series.

The outfit leads the teams’ championship table with 77 points, some 35 points clear from their nearest rival, whilst driver Justin Wilson heads the drivers championship with 43 points. His Coca-Cola Nordic Racing teammate Tomas Enge currently occupies third place in the championship with 34 points.

The Hockenheim circuit is really two circuits in one, with the first part tight and twisty before heading out deep into the forest where the track has flat-out straights, punctuated by three chicanes. The main part of the circuit is the stadium section which houses 150,000 spectators – and the noise they make as the cars re-enter this section from the forest is amazing.

"It is a deafening roar," explained Justin Wilson. "One minute you are all alone on a long straight with no spectators either side coming back through the forest, and then you enter the stadium complex. This is amazing with the crowd all cheering and releasing fireworks. It is very special. We tested well here a few weeks ago and I shall be looking towards another podium finish, which if things go to plan will be on the top of the podium. As usual, all this starts in qualifying but I am confident that both Tomas and I shall be at the front of the grid again."

Team Principal Derek Mower added: "This is yet another race where qualifying shall hold the key to any race success. Both Tomas and Justin performed well here in the recent FIA test and I am sure that Tomas will be looking for his fourth pole position of the season."

Chris Mower, Team Manager, said: "Hockenheim marks a significant step to the history of Nordic Racing as it is where we won our first race with Marc Goossens in 1995. We have had good results in Germany, but the top step of the podium has eluded us for 6 years at Hockenheim. If testing times from the end of May look similar to the final combined Qualifying session I will be extremely happy with our teams performance and we will just have to concentrate on a good race car for Saturday".