Chevrolet is keeping the leadership in both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ championship after the Belgian round of the WTCC, which saw the Cruzes achieving six finishes in the points, including two podiums. Yvan Muller finished third in Race 1, while Rob Huff took second in Race 2, with Alain Menu finishing fourth twice. This allows Chevrolet to keep the lead in the Manufacturers’ overall standings, while Muller continues to lead in the Drivers’ ones, with Huff now in third position.

 Today’s two races attracted many fans from Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands, were spared from rain (but not from coolness!) and confirmed Zolder’s reputation as a real circuit for touring cars but where over-taking is not easy at all. Thanks to their good position in the grid, the Chevrolets could stay in front positions, with the only exception of the fourth car entrusted to local hero Vincent Radermecker, who suffered a brakes problem throughout the week-end.

Quotes

Rob Huff (6th/2nd) :  "Again a very good team result for Chevrolet and more heavy points that are extremely useful championship-wise. Race 1, I must say, was almost boring, I stayed sandwiched in-between two SEATs and there was not much I could do. I must say overtaking is almost impossible on this circuit, unless the guy in front of you  makes a mistake, it’s almost like being in a street circuit! In Race 2, I took a good start and stayed behind Priaulx, there were sections of the track where I was faster, but was never in a position to seriously attack him. I knew my best opportunity was in the initial laps, but I also knew that I had to be gentle with my front tires because they would deteriorate in the last laps”. 

Yvan Muller (3rd/5th) "A good week-end for the championship, although we could have had funnier races! I thought the balance of the car was not as good as in qualifying, but I am happy with the overall result. In the first race, I did a small mistake in the first laps but did not lose much and kept my third position, which meant some good points. In race 2, under-steer increased but in any case, and as overtaking is very difficult on this track, the only thing to do was to keep the position”.

Alain Menu (4th/4th): "I am pleased with today’s results, it is nice to score some good points twice.  Race 1 was pretty uneventful, I just lost the third position at the start, as I couldn’t see the green light properly. Then, I simply kept my position behind Yvan. In Race 2, I finished fourth again, the car was feeling good, and was quite strong in the final laps, although I had some understeer, like everybody else”. 

Vincent Radermecker (18th/14th): “It was a very difficult Sunday for me, as I had to struggle with the braking performance of the car. It was quite strange: the car would brake, but without the strength and the “bite” it should have. Difficult for me to say whether this is a specific problem of this specific car, as I am here for a one-off and I don’t have a lot of references, but it is definitely something that has to be checked by one of the regular drivers”.

Eric Nève: “Two tough and close races: Zolder proved once again it is an excellent circuit for touring cars and that it makes sense to have it in the calendar. For us, another good week-end and many good points that keep us going in the quest for the championships. The only pity is that Vincent could not defend his chances in front of his home crowd because a persistent brake problem”. 

ZOLDER RACE 1 RESULTS

 1. J Gené                    SEAT León TDI                      13 laps in 21m51s561

2. G Tarquini               SEAT León TDI                      + 2s648

3. Y Muller                  Chevrolet Cruze                    + 5s277

4. A Menu                   Chevrolet Cruze                    + 5s704

5. T Monteiro               SEAT León TDI                      + 6s207

6. R Huff                     Chevrolet Cruze                    + 6s514

18. V Radermecker   Chevrolet Cruze                    +23s525

ZOLDER RACE 2 RESULTS

1. A Priaulx                 BMW 320si                             13 laps in 21m52s091

2. R Huff                     Chevrolet Cruze                    + 1s049

3. T Monteiro               SEAT León TDI                      + 1s754

4. A Menu                   Chevrolet Cruze                    + 2s298

5. Y Muller                  Chevrolet Cruze                    +0s837

14. V Radermecker   Chevrolet Cruze                    + 20s678

2. G Tarquini (SEAT), 102 ; 3.

DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 8 OF 24

 1. Y Muller (Chevrolet), 125 points; 2. A Priaulx (BMW), 103 ; 3. G Tarquini (SEAT), 102; 4. R Huff (Chevrolet), 102 ; 5. T Monteiro (SEAT), 66; 8. A Menu (Chevrolet), 58; etc

 MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 8 OF 24

 1. Chevrolet, 244 points; 2. SEAT, 243; 3. BMW, 192.