F2000: James Hanson to race with BMW in European Tourning Cars

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

FAIRFIELD, N.J.— Reigning U.S. F2000 National Championship Presented by Speedvision Rookie of the Year, James Hanson has announced he will be racing in the FIA European Touring Car Championship.

Hanson has signed with Team Edenbridge to contest a BMW 320i in the Production Class of the Championship. In 2000, Hanson captured the prestigious “Greg Moore” Rookie of the Year award after capturing one win, at the season-final in Road Atlanta, five podiums and finishing fourth in the standings.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for myself and the team to be working with BMW in the ETCC,” said Hanson. “They have had an excellent reputation in the championship in the past and my aim is to improve it further. It will be a big challenge against the experience of other teams and drivers, including Peter Kox and Gianni Morbidelli, but this means that success would be so much sweeter.”

Edenbridge Racing has switched its attentions from the British Touring Car Championship to the new FIA European Touring Car Championship.

The Kent-based team, which won the 1996 British F3 title with Oliver Gavin before going on to contesting the FIA F3000 series, will now campaign its E46-shape BMW 320is across the continent in the Super Production class, rather than the BTCC’s Production category. The cars have been built by Italian BMW experts Team Rafanelli, and the engines have been tuned by the Dutch Carly Motorsport concern.

Text Provided By Allan Craighead

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