CHEVROLET DRIVERS SETTLE INTO MACAU RHYTHM
Larini 7th in testing while Menu and Huff learn the ropes
The Chevrolet WTCC Team settled into the rhythm during yesterday’s 30’ testing session leading up to Sunday’s season finale. While Nicola Larini enjoys the advantage of having previously raced at Macau, team mates Alain Menu and Rob Huff spent the bulk of the session learning the ropes of the twisty Chinese street circuit which traditionally takes no prisoners when it comes to mastering its treacherous layout.
“Basically, the session was all about giving our drivers valuable track time – especially Alain and Rob who have never raced here before,” said Chevrolet team manager Mark Busfield. “Our priority was to gain knowledge before qualifying so all three cars went out with the same basic setup which we shall improve and fine tune tomorrow by working on suspension settings and gear ratios. Thanks to his experience, Nicola actually managed a very good lap time which brought him an encouraging 7th place while Alain was consistently improving his pace.”
Rob Huff’s efforts were unfortunately hampered by a slight contact with the ever-present guardrails lining the course: “I was out there minding my own business, taking it easy and learning the lines,” said Huff. “Entering the Lisboa Hotel corner after exiting the pits, the car just started to slide and I couldn’t avoid the rail, which resulted in some bruising of the bodywork. I suspect the tyres may have picked up some dust from the previous pit stop. I must admit it’s easier to eat with chop sticks than to master this difficult course. But we shall definitely improve tomorrow.”
After only a handful of laps, Alain Menu was amongst the top ten before dropping back and complaining of understeer: “The many bumps here on this circuit make it very difficult to master the car under braking, said Alain, but I also found myself guessing the turn-in point and apex on a few right-hand turns because of the various blind corners and the specific right-hand drive nature of the car.”
“As this was our first time out on a street circuit – contrary to many of our rivals who have experience of Macau - this initial test session was quite useful for everybody, said Chevrolet Motorsport Manager Eric Nève. Obviously, we have room for improvement and based on the data acquired by our engineers we shall methodically work through the practice sessions in order to achieve a good placing in qualifying tomorrow.”
MACAU THURSDAY TESTING RESULTS
1. A Priaulx (BMW) 2m35s3682. J Muller (BMW) + 0.8763. T Coronel (SEAT) + 1.0374. A Couto (Alfa Romeo) + 1.5565. J Gene (SEAT) + 1.672
7. N Larini (CHEVROLET) + 1.99915. A Menu (CHEVROLET) + 4.07725. R. Huff (CHEVROLET) + 8.854
Please note that all three drivers will be hosting a live web conference via the internet, on Friday, and Sunday at 12.30 CET. Media and fans alike can log in and ask questions which will be answered live - fans log in to www.chevroleteurope.com. Access is free and no password is required.
