OREANDA-NEWS. Russian racing team LADA Sport ROSNEFT prepares for the first race of 2015 World Touring Car Championship season (WTCC), which will be held in Argentina at the circuit Termas de Rio Hondo on March 6-8. The new LADA Vesta TC1 will make its debut in the touring car racing series.

The training runs are scheduled for Friday, while the qualification runs will be held on Saturday, and on Sunday there will be two racing sessions.

The 380 hp cars will be piloted by 2012 WTCC Champion Rob Huff and double British Touring Car Champion James Thompson from LADA Sport ROSNEFT team.

Rosneft and AvtoVAZ signed an agreement on strategic partnership in summer of 2014. As part of cooperation Rosneft sponsors LADA SPORT ROSNEFT team. In 2015 the parties created a joint team in the WTCC and Russian circuit racing series to build on the success of LADA cars and Russian Touring in the world.

According to the Head of Rosneft Igor Sechin, promotion of AvtoVAZ’ racing teams will give a powerful impetus to the development of Russian motor sport, both on domestic and international stage.

Also, the document provides for the development, testing and implementation of Rosneft’s lubricants and other oil products demanded by the enterprises of AvtoVAZ, as well as the opportunity to enter into contracts for the supply of a wide range of high-tech lubricants and petroleum products to AvtoVAZ’ enterprises.