2006 is the 40th anniversary of LADA Avtovaz. In conjunction with this milestone anniversary, LADA have elected to campaign a motorsport programme in the FIA WTCC from 2006. To participate at this premier international level is a logical extension for LADA, who desire to show their technical expertise and a new open marketing strategy supporting the brand image campaign.
“Our objective is to improve our brand image in all European and international export markets with the assistance of this ambitious international motorsport program,� said Vitaly Vilchik, President-General Director of Avtovaz. “LADA have a 35-Years tradition in motorsport, mostly concentrated in the home market and not visible for international audiences; but that will change now and the three years commitment to the FIA WTCC will allow LADA to promote this campaign aggressively.�
The two-car LADA WTCC Racing team will be operated and prepared by MTEC Sport in Germany together with the motorsport division of the LADA factory, which already have extensive experience in Touring Car racing in Russia. “We are extremely proud that Avtovaz will start this campaign with our team and bring this international motorsport program to Germany and elsewhere,� commented Racing Director Norbert Ruths.
The new LADA factory team will face the first year in the FIA WTCC as a testing period before they will start racing the new LADA Priora in 2007. Drivers for the program are being reviewed in Europe as in the US and announcements will be made by winter of 2005.