AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings (A&AC) is looking forward to a winning season on the racetrack after confirming a technology partnership with driver Tom Coronel will continue for a second year.
A&AC will again provide its unique stickerfix™ ultra-thin high-tech repair system to Dutchman Coronel, who will contest the World Touring Car Championship with his new team, ROAL Motorsport. The 38-year-old, a double-winner of the WTCC Independents’ Trophy in previous years, will drive a BMW 320 TC for the Italian team, powered by a 1.6 liter turbo-charged engine.
stickerfix™ was launched last year as a do-it-yourself solution for minor paint damage on vehicles – a simple alternative to touch-up pens and other systems. The high-tech film is coated with color-matched professional refinish paint and can be cut to size for a near-invisible repair.
“It’s the perfect product for a race team,” said Coronel. “Our cars suffer knocks and scrapes on track and the guys have just 15 minutes between rounds to make repairs and get us back to the start-line looking good. “They already work wonders – but stickerfix™ makes their job that bit easier when it comes to getting the car pristine in such a short timescale.” He added: “I’m looking forward to the new season – and being in front of my rivals so they can see the stickerfix™ name on the back of my car!”
Phil Coady, A&AC Marketing Director for the EMEA region, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Tom Coronel alongside ROAL Motorsport. Tom has a proven record as a championship-winner and we have an outstanding reputation for innovation – together we make a pretty formidable team!”
The 2011 WTCC series opens on March 18 in Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná, Brazil, and ends in November in Macau. It comprises 12 rounds held across the world and comes under the jurisdiction of the FIA, motorsport’s global governing body. As well as some 750,000 spectators enjoying the races live, television audiences are estimated in excess of 430 million over the season.