In First Taste Of Puebla

The three Chevrolet Cruze WTCC cars used today’s testing session at the Amozoc circuit in Puebla as a working session ahead of tomorrow’s free practice and qualifying for the Race of Mexico, the second round of the 2009 World Touring Car Championship, as reflected in the time sheet, which saw the three Chevrolet drivers lined up in 12th, 13th and 14th positions.

In a warm and dry afternoon, the Chevrolet boys were more interested in working in the set-up of the cars than in going after impressive lap times. The track became much quicker in the final minutes, to the advantage of those drivers who chose to use new tires at the end of the session. 

·     QUOTES

Nicola Larini (12th): “I am pretty happy with the balance of my car and didn’t make too many changes on the set-up during the session. I put on my new tires in the middle of the session, so I did not focus on performance in the closing laps, I’m pleased with the car today and ready for tomorrow”.

Rob Huff (13th): “The car had a good balance and I was pretty quick in the second sector. I was in the top ten at the middle of the session when I went out on new tyres, I did a final run at the end of the session on new tyres and should have improved my time however I got held up by a privateer’s car”.

Alain Menu (14th): “I was not comfortable with the set up and handling of my car, so we will be reviewing that tonight with the team to ensure it’s more to my liking and I have a better balance tomorrow”.

Mark Busfield: “It is our first time with the new Cruze in Puebla and although it is a circuit that should suit us well, the times can be a bit misleading. The track got quicker during the session and those who made runs on new tyres at the end improved their times substantially. We learnt a lot from today’s session and we will be working tonight on optimizing the car balance, in order to be competitive tomorrow”.  

PUEBLA TESTING RESULTS

 1. Y Muller SEAT León TDI 1m39s020

 2. A Priaulx BMW 320si            +0s213

 3. A Farfus BMW 320si +0s269

 4. R Rydell SEAT León TDI + 0s343

 5. G Tarquini SEAT León TDI + 0s650

12. N Larini Chevrolet Cruze + 1s495

13. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 1s676

14. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 1s843