TCR A FULL 2015

Renato Russo explains what is in Top Run’s present and future; the project TCR International Series with Subaru WRX STI.

Interview
July 9th, 2015

From the Varese factory in Castiglione Olona, Sport General Manager and founder of Top Run, Renato Russo, depicts what is coming for Top Run’s sporting area in TCR and rally; and remembers the Italian team’s rich history with the renowned Argentinean drivers from Recalde, Menem, Traverso, Guerra, Peon, Croceri to Pozzo, Ligato and Menzi.

Renato, how was your training and feelings for Argentina?

I’m a lawyer of 57 years, born and raised in Milan, my current business dedicates and relates to my family. From a long time ago my family has a special relation with Argentina. I’m in love with Argentina and was a friend of Jorge Recalde. And, of course, one of the founders of Top Run Racing. Now, I’m Top Run Motorsport General Manager, taking care of organization and team’s main relationships on TCR International Series program. This interview is especial and likable because my father was a friend of Juan Manuel Fangio. And I remember when I was a kid that Mr. Fangio stayed at home and was with my father. And that’s why we love Argentina and race cars. I remember when Juan Manuel Fangio Jr started to race here, he did few tests with my older brother Onofrio. So it’s a symbol that my family has always been connected with Argentina and racing cars.

Renato, how is the Varese’s team preparation to race the TCR International Series with Subaru?

It’s a new, very interesting championship. I think Marcelo Lotti has a revolutionary idea and these races have globalization features that’s why I said it’s a very interesting championship. And, in Varese we are working hard, making a car projected by STI with 4wd and front-wheel drive. So there’s plenty of work, more than in other cars of the series. Then, also, in England they are working in the roll-bar and the bodywork reinforcements. And, the other car is in Genoa, where all the spare parts are installed to enlarge it and add it more quality; as carbon fiber and many things; gearbox is coming from Australia, dampers arrived from Japan. There’s a heavy work, but many people are helping us to do our goal; reaching the first race in Singapore.

What does it mean to you to be one of the Varese squad founders along with Agnello brothers?
It’s a great pleasure, to be one of the Top Run’s founders with Agnello brothers. I remember it was 1977, and we met Agnello brothers and they had a fantastic talent to build rally cars; and us the others colleagues – like Sergio Secchi – had a good university knowledge, so we had the idea to organize a team for privateer drivers, to build cars at a level it was difficult to find and we had the luck to start with Jorge Recalde which was really positive for the history of our sporting life. So, today they call me again to tell me about this project with Antonio and Alfonso Agnello, and, of course, Michele’s supervision. And, I feel fantastic honored, I’m sure the team will be at the level of its fame, especially in Argentina, a country we love because with them we got recognized in the world. We have much acknowledgment in Australia and many people following us anywhere in the world.

Will the team use the new WRX STI with official support from Japan?

Yes, the model we will use is Subaru WRX STI, with this same car FHI had a big success in the 24 hours of Nürburgring, winning the SP3T class; so, the Japanese are too confident in Top Run, Varese people, and Agnello brothers. There is a Japanese official support because they trust in the exclusive development made by the experience of Agnello brothers, but all the engineers are working in Varese with Agnello brothers.

What’s the team’s work-plan thinking about the first round in Singapore by mid-September?

I believe the first car will be ready to start with the tests in last week of July, and we’ll do track test in a tiny circuit near Top Run team’s factory, in August first week. Later, with the car in optimal conditions, we’ll have a whole test day in the famous Monza circuit, at the same track used by TCR during last May round. This way, we will get the times to compare whether the car’s levels are competitive and satisfying. Then if we like how the car goes that first week we’ll send it with the spare parts by plane to Singapore to the first race.

Will Agnello brothers responsible to building and assembling those Subaru WRX STI for this significant new project?

Yes, as I told before, the whole TCR project it’s exclusively for the Agnello brothers development, and the car will be set in Varese by Top Run Motorsport and their engineers.

Will the test be done in August in Italy with driver Roberto Russo?

Yes, tests will start in August and sure Roberto Russo will drive, as he has an amazing experience winning many races with Agnello brothers and Top Run; in Italian touring tournament with Lancia Delta Integrale, Nissan Skyline Type R, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini Super Trophy; and in 8 cylinders Superstars with Mercedes. And, he’s a serious driver, works almost as if Antonio was in the car with him, so we trust in him more than in any other driver. Sure, we will have other drivers testing, likely Gian Maria Gabbiani, the young son of Beppe Gabbiani; which was an important Italian driver that raced at the same time as Ángel Guerra, they both are close friends of us. So, Gian Maria Gabbiani will do the tests with the last evolution car for Top Run.

Japan STI contract with Top Run expects 2 regular cars and 2 spare cars WRX STI version for the new program TCR 2015/2016?

That’s a new subject, is a Top Run’s idea with Subaru as an adviser. Top Run will totally build Subaru’s TCR cars, so it’s impossible to buy a TCR Subaru car in Japan, as the whole project – from development to commercial operation – is in Top Run hands. The same happens to Honda working only with JAS. That is why other brands are considering to enter the championship, Volkswagen with Audi and Seat from Spain.
The contract isn’t about 2 or 4 cars, is about building TCR cars and fulfill all the requests we’ll surely receive, hopefully for different drivers worldwide. We already have requests from Asia to the end of August, and, of course, Subaru is an important and famous brand in Asia so it will be something very important.

Do Agnello brothers and Top Run much enthusiastic with this initiative to return to the forefront positions?

Indeed, it’s like having pure adrenaline again, it’s a huge motivation for the guys that work to prepare these cars. This is something new, a new fight, something that brings to Top Run people an amazing extra motivation to work hard. For sure we’ll get important results, in this championship that, I think, will be among the more competitive, well-regarded and interesting during the next few years; the television is ideal with 3 or 4 presentations along Formula 1 and a wide TV global coverage. I’m sure it will become one of the most interesting championships of the next few years.

Does the team confident and motivated after Subaru STI chose Top Run to represent this Japanese car maker in the TCR championship?

Yes. Subaru is a brand that has a big trajectory worldwide, and we – with our experience – will work closely to make sure the good results to Top Run and the Japanese maker.

Have started solid talks with Lucas and Miguel Ángel Guerra to get an important program for TCR 2016?
Yes, that’s true, last week we meet with Miguel Ángel Guerra and his son Lucas at Varese factory. I’ve seen Lucas racing, he is a good driver so we have plans for him if Top Race championship commitments during this year left him a free weekend. For the Monza tests, he will travel to Italy to feel the car. We would like to form an Argentinean team to take part in this international championship, isn’t a touring world cup, but it’s almost similar. Personally, I’m sure Lucas has the skills and the driving technique to become one of Top Run drivers, but let’s see what happens in August, how the car goes and if he likes this front-wheel drive car.

Would it be nice for the team to have Guerra family again working in this auspicious competition plan; to repeat the success of Lancia at Italian Super Turismo 1993 with Miguel Ángel along with Juan María Traverso and the remembered Carlitos Menem Jr?

It sure would be nice to work with Guerra family again, we had a fantastic experience in 1993 when he won the Italian championship, fighting until the last race with Juan María Traverso. Another great high-ranked driver. We always had the luck to work with high-level drivers, I would love to travel to Buenos Aires to meet Pablo Peón and Fernando Croceri. Not to forget our beloved Carlitos Menem, who was a fantastic driver in both rally and circuits where I saw him twice going as fast as in rallies. He was really a great person and driver and he’s an important memory in Top Run history. But who’s always present in our factory is our friend Jorge Recalde, he was a real master of racing organization, professionalism and everything, he opened Argentina’s door to us, gave us the possibility to meet good drivers that gave several superb results to the team. And, we’re very grateful, so Jorge has always a special place in our heart.

Does TCR International Series characterize as a world-level racing series organized by FIA?

Does it very important to get a global calendar in and out of Europe, with equal or more significant television than Formula 1? As I explained before, TCR International Series is a fantastic idea created by Marcelo Lotti, and a planning much appreciated by Bernie Ecclestone himself. Let me tell you about this, I attended the first two races of the season in Sepang and Shanghai as F1’s supported races. Next race of September 20th in Singapore will be as F1 invited too. So, Bernie Ecclestone has a large interest in this series inside and outside Europe. This championship really it’s a much global organization in this environment of world touring cars. It’s named International Series because it’s a world championship. The calendar program of this year has 6 races outside Europe and the 5 left in Old Continent, none of them twice in the same country. Argentina couldn’t organize a round due to different reasons, so we were twice at Spielberg circuit in Austria, with a very interesting round. But let’s highlight that it’s a world championship series and each country will have its own series because it’s organized by FIA. Yesterday we read the news that Thailand will have its own TCR championship on 2016. Hence it’s essential to emphasize that this world tournament gives each country the opportunity to take part. Besides, this year we’ve several car makers participation such as Seat, Honda, Audi, Ford and Opel. Some take part for the whole year, as Seat and Honda, and others just in given rounds and tests to be ready for next year. Ourselves with Subaru will be perfectly ready for 2016, and we’ll build a car for the year-end in Singapore and Thailand. Volkswagen started to work with a new car, we saw pictures of their new prototype concept doing secret tests, but they are in because we met in Salzburgring with VW’s people, so with them seven brands will take part in 2016. And, surely the French: Renault, Peugeot and Citroën are looking. And, I think Volvo will get interested, also Hyundai from Korea and other European brands. Thus it’s a real world cup. It’s a championship that will always have much importance in track’s touring cars classes. And, to embrace this issue Ecclestone agreed with Marcelo Lotti allowing him the possibility to use the same channels that broadcast Formula 1 worldwide. This is much important if you see the official video at TCR website announcing the huge coverage this championship already has, there is television coverage everywhere.

To wrap-up, does any chance to incorporate a rally Impreza WRX STI, for the intense activity program of next year with Johan Heloïse and “Gio” Di Palma?

Yes, rallies will be one of the main goals for 2016. Top Run born with rallies, so it surely we won’t forget how important and meaningful it’s for us. We’re trying to build rally cars for Johan Heloíse and “Gio” Di Palma too and see how they can continue. And, we would love to have drivers from Argentina – who gave us much joy – in the team. Likely next year we will take part in a rally again.

Pablo MACHI
Media & Comunicación Top Run Motorsport
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Translation: María Laura Curzi by RRM Argentina
Photo: Media & Comunication Top Run Motorsport