The factory LADA Sport team has declared itself pleased with the results from a day long test session at Zolder.

The team used the test in Belgium to put more mileage on the new Priora model, which debuted in the World Touring Car Championship on the streets of Porto.

James Thompson, who drove the Priora in Portugal and in his home event at Brands Hatch, was on duty to drive the car again during the test while Jaap van Lagen took to the track at the wheel of the now retired 110 to allow the team to carry out back-to-back comparison work.

The main development work on the Priora, linked into the suspension, was tested throughout the day with Thompson able to build more confidence in the car and adapt it more towards his driving style. Van Lagen meanwhile carried out set-up work for the upcoming events at Oschersleben and Imola.

“It was an interesting test day in Zolder and we completed a lot of extremely useful work,” team principal Viktor Shapovalov said. “For us, Zolder is a very convenient solution as it is located just 30 minutes away from our new workshop in Grobbendonk.

“Over the course of the day we were able to try out various different solutions, which showed a lot of potential. We will continue now to work hard on development in order to keep on improving the car all the way to the end of the season." 



The team is now due to test again at Magny-Cours later this month ahead of the resumption of the WTCC season at Oschersleben on the weekend on 5-6 September.

The German event will mark the first time that all three LADA drivers will be using the Priora, although Thompson will be forced to miss the meeting due to commitments already in place in the V8 Supercar Championship.

As a result, Shapovalov will return to action alongside Van Lagen and fellow Russian Kirill Ladygin.