The 2015 FIA World Touring Car Championship will thunder into action in Argentina this week – and Official Logistics Partner DHL has played a pivotal role in getting the packed grid of new-generation TC1 racing cars from Europe to South America.
DHL optimised the use of air and sea freight to transport cars, replacement components and equipment to the Argentine capital Buenos Aires where 30 trucks, hired by the event promoter, were used to complete the 1200-kilometre road trip to Termas de Río Hondo, which will host WTCC Race of Argentina from 6-8 March.
A Boeing 747-400 cargo airplane carrying all race cars, selected spare parts and timing equipment weighing approximately 80 tonnes landed in Buenos Aires in the early hours of 25 February having flown from Hahn near Frankfurt in Germany.
Meanwhile, DHL also oversaw the freighting of 19 40-foot high cube containers by shipping line Hamburg Sued. The Cap San Nicolas vessel left Antwerp in Belgium on 4 February and arrived in Buenos Aires on 24 February carrying pit garage and paddock equipment, more spare components, tyres, camera equipment, the WTCC safety and VIP cars, plus other essential items required for the successful running of the WTCC season-opener.
Following the event, the containers will be returned to Buenos Aires prior to their shipping to Tangier in northern Morocco where a fleet of trucks will transport them by road to Marrakech for WTCC Race of Morocco from 17-19 April. DHL will manage the return transportation.
Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express, said: “While we love being able to share the on-track action at WTCC with our customers and employees, it’s the ‘race behind the race’ that gets everyone at DHL most fired up, as it allows us to showcase how our global logistics network adds value. We’re very happy that our services and capabilities have enabled the teams to enjoy a smooth build-up to the first race at Termas de Río Hondo and we look forward to delivering more exciting races throughout 2015!”
François Ribeiro, WTCC General Manager, said: “When we agreed to move the opening race of the year to Argentina we committed to our teams that, in partnership with DHL, we would provide air transportation for all cars and essential spares. This was done to give the teams as much testing and preparation time as possible before the earlier-than-usual start to the season. As always, DHL has provided an extremely professional, reliable and punctual service that has ensured the new WTCC season will start as planned in Termas de Río Hondo this week.”
DHL and WTCC Race of Argentina in numbers
2: Days taken to load one Boeing 747-400 cargo airplane
19: 40-feet high cube containers shipped to Argentina
80: Approximate weight of air cargo in tonnes
1200: Distance in kilometres between Buenos Aires and Termas de Río Hondo
20: Days at sea for vessel carrying essential equipment
