Team and drivers determined to finish the eight-year journey on a high
Following a strategic review of Chevrolet’s motorsport and marketing programmes, Chevrolet will leave the World Touring Car Championship at the end of the 2012 season.
The eight-year program has so far resulted in two Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships (2010-2011) and 59 race wins for Chevrolet. For three consecutive years, Chevrolet’s racing team has proven the on-track abilities of the Cruze, the brand’s best-selling nameplate, against major contenders in motorsports.
This announcement is being made mid season to allow Chevrolet’s race drivers and race partner RML to plan for the future.
The Chevrolet WTCC Team currently leads both Championships and is aiming to finish on a high by adding two more World Titles to its achievements in the series.Chevrolet will continue to be present in global motorsports with its many other race series, including IndyCar and GT racing.
• QUOTESSusan Docherty, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe : “Following astrategic review of our motorsport and marketing programs we have decided to leave the FIAWorld Touring Car Championship at the end of the 2012 season to focus our Chevroletbrand activities in other areas. We are extremely proud of the two double World Titles wehave won in the Series and of the 59 victories over the last eight years. The WTCC has beena powerful brand platform and showcase for Chevrolet in Europe and markets throughout theworld. Chevrolet and RML now aim to go out on a high, by securing our third World titlestogether.”‘’Chevrolet’s WTCC drivers, Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu finished first, second andthird in the 2011 season, an achievement unmatched by any other brand in the past. In thecurrent 2012 season, they again hold the top three spots in the drivers’ rankings. Yvan, Roband Alain are more than great racing drivers. They are exemplary brand ambassadors forChevrolet, embodying Louis Chevrolet’s can-do spirit every time they race.”
Eric Nève, Chevrolet Motorsport Manager : ‘’Naturally, making this announcement comeswith very mixed emotions. This has been an amazing journey from our first season throughto the double championship wins with the Cruze. We are extremely proud of the success wehave achieved, including giving GM its first FIA World Champion titles, and would like tothank and pay tribute to the WTCC, RML, our drivers, partners and fans. We are now allfocused on the remainder of season and bringing home the third double Championship titlesfor Chevrolet.”
Ray Mallock, Chief Executive, RML : “Everyone at RML is very proud of the multipleChampionships we have won for Chevrolet in the WTCC. I would like to thank Eric, Chevroletand General Motors for this most productive partnership. Over the last eight years we haveplayed a key role in promoting and building the Chevrolet brand across the world and thesuccess of this programme has also been a great platform to develop the RML brand globally.RML works for several major car companies in supporting their motorsport and road carmarketing programmes. Overall the business continues to grow and we currently have moreactive enquiries from major OEM’s than at anytime in our history. We aim to continue winningin every category in which we compete. It goes without saying, that the whole RML teamremain very focused on securing both the 2012 WTCC Drivers’ and Constructors’Championships.’’
