Huff, Muller and Menu make it a 1-2-3 in Race 1, Muller wins Race 2 with Menu 3rd and Huff 4th
The RML Chevrolet Cruzes had another triumphant day in the Czech Republic, as they brought home another two wins and took five podium finishes out of a possible six. In Race 1, the Cruzes posted a 1-2-3, with Rob Huff taking his third success on the Czech track. He took the lead from Yvan Muller in the early stages and held on to cross the line ahead of the Frenchman and Alain Menu.
In Race 2, Yvan Muller climbed through the field, from 8th on the grid, to take his second winof the season, while Menu and Huff finished 3rd and 4th after another strong performancefrom the Cruzes and the RML team.
With these successes (the 8th and 9th victories in 10 races!), the team is in an ideal positionin both championships, having further extended its lead in the Manufacturers’ standings,while the three Chevy drivers are leading in the Drivers’ standings, with Muller now 25 pointsaway from Huff. The WTCC will now head to Porto, for the last round of the first half of theseason and the first event on a street circuit, a type of track where the Chevys have alwaysexcelled in the past.
• QUOTESYvan Muller (2nd / 1st): “I am happy with this second win of the year and the many points.After having been at the top during all practice sessions and qualifying, it was of course alittle bit frustrating not to win Race 1, I think I had been a little bit too nice at the start and Robtook the opportunity to pass me! Still, second place is good for the championship, no doubt. Itwas then important for me to correct the situation in Race 2 and despite starting from theeighth position, everything went well, I could climb up to the top, make a good use of allopportunities and build a sufficient gap once in the lead.”
Rob Huff (1st / 4th): “I am very pleased with the results, which went over my expectations,and with the win in Race 1, which was decided in the first couple of corners. The fight withYvan was tough and fair, I made a move on the outside and took a deep breath while hedefended his position, I went out on the gravel a little bit but then had the inside line for turn 2and I made it. The rest of the race was uneventful. In Race 2, I fought with Nykjaer, Poulsen,Villa and Tarquini and managed to pass them all, then cruised safely in fourth to take somegood points.”
Alain Menu (3rd / 3rd): “I am pleased with my performance today but could have hoped forsome more points. In Race 1, I was touched at the back at the start and my car did not havea lot of pace. I stayed behind Coronel for the entire race but was able to pass him with a niceovertaking move on the final lap, finishing third, which was not bad at all. In Race 2, the carwas much better. I took a good start but couldn’t prevent Yvan from passing me in a reaccelerationphase. I had to fight with Tarquini and then Coronel and another podium was atthe end of that, so I guess I cannot complain.”
Eric Nève: “It’s another fantastic result for the team and another great day for Chevrolet, infront of over 500 dealers from the South East Europe region, just like it happened two weeksago in Budapest. I am really happy that we have been able to reward all the supportreceived in Hungary and in the Czech Republic from Chevrolet fans and dealers with twodouble wins!”
BRNO RACE 1 RESULT1. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze 10 laps in 21m59s5072. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 0s8583. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 11s6974. T Coronel BMW 320 TC + 13s0265. K Poulsen BMW 320 TC + 14s3537. D O’Young Chevrolet Cruze + 2&s288
BRNO RACE 2 RESULT1. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze 12 laps in 22m08s2472. T Coronel BMW 320 TC + 4s1833. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 4s4154. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 5s0335. M Nykjaer SEAT León 1.6 T + !s450
DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 10 OF 24:1. R Huff (Chevrolet), 187 points; 2. Y Muller (Chevrolet), 162; 3. A Menu (Chevrolet),134; 4. G Tarquini (SEAT), 83; 5. T Coronel (BMW), 82; ... 10. D O’Young (Chevrolet), 37;12. C Bueno (Chevrolet), 25; etc.
MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 10 OF 24:1. Chevrolet, 405 points; 2. BMW, 231; 3. Seat, 212; 4. Volvo, 56.
NEXT RACE: Round 6, Race of Portugal, Porto, 2-3 July 2011.
