BACK TO WORK AFTER HISTORIC VICTORY CELEBRATIONS

Chevrolet Starts 4-Race World Tour In Germany

After the historic first WTCC win for Chevrolet at the last round in Brands Hatch, team and drivers are eager to prove that the bad British weather was a factor they mastered rather than a factor that helped them win. Next up on the calendar is the twisty track of Oschersleben in Germany, another circuit that should suit the characteristics of the Chevrolet Lacetti WTC.

Earlier this year, a privateer Lacetti WTC finished on the podium in the German Touring Car Championship at the same track. But the German race should probably see stronger competition for the Chevrolets than at Brands Hatch, as Team Manager, Mark Busfield explained. “We will use our set-up from last year as a base and then add everything we have learned throughout this year with the new car,” he said. “It will be a tougher weekend than at Brands, as our competitors have tested there this year and traditionally perform very well at Oschersleben. Plus Alain will carry a lot of success ballast.”

RML had a test scheduled at Pembrey for this week, but the weather forecast was showing more rain, so the team cancelled the test. “We feel we’ve amassed enough wet weather data last weekend!” Busfield said. “And with a four-race marathon coming up we are not exactly not short of work either.”

Indeed, the Race of Germany in Oschersleben marks the last European round before the World Touring Car Championship sets off to South America for the races in Brazil and Mexico. “Actually, we are now packing cars and equipment for four races,” Busfield continued. “From Oschersleben everything will be packed in containers and sent to Brazil. After that race, everything goes on to Mexico and from there straight to Brno for the next European race in early September. This means that the cars will not be back at the workshops for more than three months! But we obviously have the test car to continue our development work throughout the summer.”

Scoring his first points of the season in the first race, but then aquaplaning out of the second race, Rob Huff will be looking for some suitable revenge in Germany. “As I remember the car had good pace at Oschersleben last year, so with the added improvements, developments and experience from the past year, I could have a rather good race there,” he said. “Add to that the bonus factor of not having to carry weight and both Nicola and I are holding very good cards indeed.”

The going will be a bit tougher – or easier, depending on how you look at it – for Alain Menu. His superb drive to victory at Brands Hatch marked the first time in automotive history that a Chevrolet won a round of any official FIA World Championship, but obviously also means the Swiss driver will be carrying 35 kilograms of success weight at Oschersleben.

“It will be tough for me,” Menu said. “The track has a couple of very tight corners and with the extra weight my chances of doing well are rather limited. I think I’ll be cruising at the back rather than fighting at the front. Mind you, most of the frontrunners now have extra weight so it’s now my team mates’ turn to run at the front. I’ll watch it from a bit further back and shed some weight for the long-haul races.”

OSCHERSLEBEN WTCC SCHEDULE

Saturday June 3rd09.00-09.30 Free Practice 112.00-12.30 Free Practice 215.10-15.40 Qualifying

Sunday June 4th09.20-09.35 Warm Up15.20-15.45 WTCC Race 1 (14 laps = 51.338 kms)16.30-16.55 WTCC Race 2 (14 laps = 51.338 kms)

Warm-up and the races will be broadcasted live on Eurosport.

HANDICAP WEIGHTS FOR OSCHERSLEBEN1. Y Muller, +75kgs; 2. J Thompson, +55kgs; 3. A Priaulx, +50kgs; 4. G Tarquini, + 40kgs; 5. R Rydell, +40kgs; 6. A Menu, +35kgs; 7. J Müller, +25kgs; 8. D Müller, +20kgs; 9. F Gruber, +20kgs; 10. A Farfus, +15kgs; 11. J Gené, +5kgs; 12. P Terting, +5kgs.

POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 6 OF 20

Drivers: 1. Y Muller (SEAT), 32pts; 2. J Thompson (SEAT) 25; 3. G Tarquini (SEAT) 24; 4. A Priaulx (BMW) 23; 5. R Rydell (SEAT) 21; 6. A Menu (Chevrolet) 18 ;… 12ex. A Balzan (Alfa Romeo) and R Huff (Chevrolet) 5; 14. Nicola Larini (Chevrolet) 3 ;

Manufacturers : 1. SEAT, 80pts; 2. BMW, 69; 3. Chevrolet, 48; 4. Alfa Romeo 37.