Holland’s Olivier Tielemans is ready for some serious racing this weekend as the N.Technology driver prepares to impress local fans at his home track for round two of the 2007 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in Zandvoort.

Tielemans’ expert knowledge of the Zandvoort track puts him back in the running for a strong points finish in front of his home crowd. The 22-year-old grew up near the track and has raced at the circuit on no less than 30 occasions, which is why he is hoping to produce something special this weekend for the local fans.

“I hope that my knowledge of the track will be an advantage in setting up the car and helping the team,” said Tielemans whose previous experience combine single-seaters and touring cars with races in DTM, Megane Eurocup and Formula 3000 amongst others. “Most WTCC drivers can learn a track very quickly however, so the advantage may not be as big as could be imagined.”

Dutch rookie Tielemans is eager to match team-mate James Thompson’s impressive performance in last week’s official WTCC test in Monza. The two-times British Touring Car champion posted the second-fastest time in the Alfa Romeo 156 over the two days.

Thompson is optimistic about the team’s chances this weekend, especially after seeing the improvements in the Alfa Romeo in Monza.

“The entire team has pulled together to improve the car for Zandvoort,” said Thompson from Harrogate, UK. “Last week’s test went extremely well as our times demonstrate and I hope Sunday’s races prove as rewarding.”

This weekend’s live WTCC coverage begins Saturday 5 May with qualifying on Eurosport 2 at 15.00 (CET) followed by Sunday’s races at 10.00 (CET) and 11.45 (CET) on Eurosport International.