OSCARO, the world’s leading online retailer of original automotive spare parts, has announced a number of new initiatives as it embarks on its second season as the Series Presenting Partner of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO.

Building on the success of the first year of the agreement with WTCR promoter Eurosport Events and aimed at strengthening the links between the world of motorsport and the OSCARO community, the inaugural OSCARO Repair Time of the Year competition has been launched.

It will reward the WTCR team whose mechanics complete the most extensive or challenging car repair in the 15-minute window the rules allow between back-to-back races.

Selected by representatives of OSCARO and WTCR promoter Eurosport Events, the winning team will receive a trophy at the season-closing WTCR Race of Malaysia on 15 December.

OSCARO has also launched a new VIP guest programme, which includes, for example, opportunity for OSCARO customers to attend selected rounds of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO. Hosted by the Team OSCARO Experience, the competition winners will meet drivers and enjoy behind-the-scenes team visits, where they will gain a unique insight into the life of a WTCR race mechanic.

Car enthusiasts who repair their road cars at home in their spare time having purchased parts online from OSCARO will be among those eligible to take part in the competitions.

Tiago Monteiro, Honda Civic Type R TCR driver for the KCMG team in the WTCR, will serve as an ambassador for OSCARO. However, he won’t be the only ambassador and more details will be announced in due course.

Jean-Baptiste Choteau, OSCARO Strategic Director, said: “The first season of WTCR / OSCARO exceeded our expectations and we look forward to the second chapter with a level of competition that will be even higher than the first. For OSCARO, this new adventure will be under the sign of the mechanics and many activations are being developed with our customers in mind.

“They are people passionate about cars and the mechanics of a car, while sports brands active in WTCR, like RS from Audi, Type R from Honda or GTI from Volkswagen, are rooted in the hearts of enthusiasts. So, for year two of our presenting partnership, new projects have been devised to strengthen the links between the world of motorsport and the OSCARO community. We are very excited for the 2019 season.”

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR / OSCARO promoter, said: “We are very pleased that OSCARO is leveraging its partnership with Eurosport Events for year two with tailor-made activities for its loyal customers on our events. They will love WTCR’s accessibility and will feel very close to the action, both on track and in the garages. Awarding the best team mechanics is also a natural step forward for OSCARO, at the heart of its DNA. OSCARO is a great Series Presenting Partner to work with.”

The 2019 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO takes place over 10 weekends between April to December and features 30 races broadcast live around the globe. WTCR Race of Morocco at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech opens the new season from 5-7 April. A packed grid of drivers, including seven FIA world title winners, is expected.

Swedish team PWR Racing will embark on its biggest challenge to date when it steps up to the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO in 2019.

It will field the CUPRA TCR in the 30-race series and has secured support from the Spanish brand. Two exciting driver announcements are planned in the coming weeks as preparations for the new WTCR / OSCARO season continue in earnest.

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR promoter, welcomed PWR Racing to WTCR / OSCARO. He said: “While PWR is a new team in WTCR and will have to learn most of the tracks, they already have a good knowledge of the CUPRA TCR and a good pedigree. Along with Cyan Racing and two world champion drivers in Thed Björk and Johan Kristoffersson, the Swedish presence on the #WTCR2019SUPERGRID is growing ever stronger. We look forward to the team sharing news about its exciting driver line-up soon.”

Based in Vikmanshyttan in southern central Sweden, PWR was co-founded by Daniel Haglöf and Peter Wallenberg in 2012. It has represented SEAT Sweden and CUPRA Racing in Scandinavia with great success since 2016, winning three Scandinavian Touring Car Championship titles in as many years. It will continue its domestic activities in TCR Scandinavia alongside its WTCR / OSCARO attack.

PWR co-founder and CEO Daniel Haglöf said: “The progress for PWR Racing has been extremely fast since we were founded in 2012 and we’re now heading in to our first international season. It’s a great opportunity to measure ourselves against the very best. I’m looking forward to it and I’m grateful for the trust that CUPRA Racing has put in us to represent their brand in WTCR.”

Peter ‘Poker’ Wallenberg, who co-founded PWR, added: “This is an important step for PWR Racing. We received official support from SEAT in Sweden ahead of the 2016 STCC season. To now get an opportunity to represent the CUPRA brand on the international stage is an honour and a great testament to everyone that’s been involved with PWR Racing over the years.”

Jaime Puig, Director and Head of CUPRA Racing, said: “We are delighted that PWR Racing continues as part of the CUPRA Racing family in the WTCR. Our three-year collaboration in Sweden has proven to be successful, and I am sure that they will now line up a team which can achieve great results in its debut season in an international championship.”

The 2019 WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO takes place over 10 weekends between April to December and features 30 races broadcast live around the globe.  WTCR Race of Morocco at the semi-permanent Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech opens the new season from 5-7 April.

Tom Coronel will remain true to his yellow roots in this season’s WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup presented by OSCARO. But while his car colour remains the same, the Dutchman will be CUPRA-powered following his switch to Comtoyou Racing for 2019.

Also new for WTCR / OSCARO season two is Coronel’s race number, with 50 replacing 9 to acknowledge main sponsor DHL’s half-century. “I want to put DHL in the limelight, this seemed like a nice gesture to me,” said the 46-year-old Coronel. “All the other sponsors from last year remained involved, so the rest of the car will also be a familiar sight for everyone. That can also be said about the second car, also yellow, to be driven by Aurélien Panis.”

Having scored points in a Boutsen Ginion Racing Honda Civic Type R TCR in 2018, Coronel will be at the wheel of a CUPRA TCR run by another Belgian outfit, Comtoyou Racing, when WTCR Race of Morocco opens the new season from 5-7 April. “I am glad that an experienced touring car driver like Tom has chosen our team,” said Comtoyou’s François Verbist. “I am convinced that we can score some really good results together.”

Of his prospects for 2019, Coronel said: “It should be possible to enjoy the occasional moment of fame. It will not be easy as many famous drivers from the past will be making their return. On the other hand, I have a lot of confidence in the car and in the team. With the early and thorough preparation, but also with one year of WTCR experience, it should be possible for me to compete for podium finishes. We have 10 race weekends with three races each to make it happen. Let’s hope we can steer clear from damage and can be competitive. I will fight for it, I am really eager.”

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, the WTCR / OSCARO promoter, added: “Tom is part of the World Touring Car fabric and will be a very popular addition to the #WTCR2019SUPERGRID based on his huge fan following and media work. But he’s also extremely serious and passionate about racing and will put all his energy into making 2019 a better season than 2018.”

Fully refreshed following his Dakar Rally finish last month, Coronel will begin his WTCR / OSCARO bid during a two-day test at his home track, Zandvoort, from tomorrow (27 February). The former Dutch Grand Prix venue will host WTCR Race of Netherlands from 17-19 May as part of the Jumbo Racedagen event when Max Verstappen will be demonstrating his Red Bull Formula One car.

Napravljena sasvim slučajno, Plava laguna je danas jedna od najpoznatijih i najposjećenijih turističkih atrakcija na Islandu. 1970. godine, lokalni stanovnici su primijetili da otpadna voda iz Svartsengi geotermalne elektrane koja puni polja koja je hiljadama godina oblikovala lava ima ljekovit učinak za njihovu kožu, pa su tako malo po malo, otpadnu vodu pretvorili u svjetski poznate toplice.

Iz postrojenja elektrane se ispušta voda sa temperaturom od oko 37-39 ° C, puna morske soli, plavo zelenih algi, sumpora i bijelog silicija (i mnogih drugih minerala), a raznim procesima, prije nego završi u bazenima, ona se dodatno čisti od bakterija. Svake godine, na stotine hiljada ljudi posjeti Plavu lagunu kako bi se okupali u njenim zdravim i prekrasnim plavim bazenima.