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For
the first time the three BMW works teams, Schnitzer, Ravaglia and RBM have run
the 2004 ETCC BMW 320i. The new car is recognizable by a different layout of the
front splitter, but there are a lot of technical improvements underneath the
bodywork. Air box, suspension and aerodynamics underwent major changes, which
enhance the performances of the German car, as it was proved in the Monza test.
At the end of the two day official FIA ETCC test at Monza, the three fastest lap times were clocked by drivers
at the wheel of the new BMW. Jörg Müller was the only driver to break the 2:00.
barrier; his fastest time of 1:59.565 meant a one-second improvement compared to
his pole position from last year. Priaulx was second-fastest, with a lap in
2:00.082, while Dirk Müller was third-fastest at 2:00.122.
The new Alfa Romeo 156 TS cars were right behind, with Tarquini and Giovanardi
lapping in 2:00.132 and 2:00.536 respectively. Giovanardi was only one
thousandth of a second faster than Zanardi in the Ravaglia BMW. Diefenbacher
emerged as the best SEAT man, with a fastest lap in 2:00.738. A lot of other
drivers spent the second day working on the set up, and improving their feeling
with their cars, as the three Oregon men (Rangoni, Tavano and Bartyan), D’Aste,
Rydell in the SEAT, Balzan and Harrison in the Honda Civics.
An engine problem prevented the RS-Line Ford Focus from a better result. In the
final session, Morbidelli had his first drive in the SEAT Toledo he will drive
in Monza.
Aggregate test times, FIA ETCC Monza Test, 04-05.03.2004: 1. J. Müller (BMW 320i) 1:59.565; 2.
Priaulx (BMW 320i) 2:00.082; 3. D. Müller (BMW 320i) 2:00.122; 4. Tarquini (Alfa
Romeo 156 TS) 2:00.132; 5. Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo 156 TS) 2:00.536; 6. Zanardi
(BMW 320i) 2:00.537; 7. Diefenbacher (SEAT Toledo Cupra) 2:00.738; 8. Rangoni
(Alfa Romeo 156 GTA) 2:00.916; 9. Farfus (Alfa Romeo 156 TS) 2:01.021; 10.
Tavano (Alfa Romeo 156 GTA) 2:01.287; 11. Coronel (BMW 320i) 2:01.684; 12.
Bartyan (Alfa Romeo 156 GTA) 2:01.810; 13. D’Aste (BMW 320i) 2:01.856; 14. Gené
(SEAT Toledo Cupra) 2:01.871; 15. Rydell (SEAT Toledo Cupra) 2:01.883; 16.
Balzan (Honda Civic Type-R) 2:02.235; 17. Morbidelli (SEAT Toledo Cupra)
2:02.834; 18. Harrison (Honda Civic Type-R) 2:04.067; 19. Zwart (BMW 320i)
2:05.667; 20. Asch (Ford Focus ST170) 2:05.821; 21. Grunert (Ford Focus ST170)
2:06.160.
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