Imola is to return to the World Touring Car Championship for the first time since 2005 after the announcement that the Italian venue will replace Anderstorp on the 2008 schedule.
The Swedish circuit was due to host the ninth round of the season in September but the race was cancelled after a request from the Swedish National Sporting Authority when the championship and event promoters failed to reach a commercial agreement.
As such, Imola received the call to return to the calendar in a move that has been approved by the Touring Car Commission but has yet to be ratified by the
FIA World Motor Sport Council.
That ratification should come in June, which will pave the way for international motorsport to return to Imola more than two years after the last San Marino Grand Prix and following extensive work to improve both the circuit itself and the facilities surrounding it.
“Imola is back on track!” Massimo Cimatti, president of GruppoNorman and Formula Imola, said. “We are delighted to launch our new motor sport calendar with a world championship event such as the WTCC. This is a major reward for all the efforts we have made in these first months of management of the circuit.”
Marcello Lotti, general manager of series promoter KSO, added that he was delighted with the news.
“We are obviously extremely honoured and excited for having the opportunity to play the leading role in what will be remembered as an historical event for motor sport: Imola's re-opening to international racing,” he said.
![Imola race start [Pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/166476.jpg)
