CHEVROLET RACING LOOKING FORWARD TO HOME RACE - Lap Record Holder Rob Huff Hoping For Wet Race 

Next weekend will see the famous “Tourist Trophy” moniker being used again at the equally famous Silverstone race track in Great Britain for rounds five and six of the 2005 World Touring Car Championship. With the Chevrolet Racing team being based around the corner, the Silverstone races will be some sort of a “home race” for the RML crew and drivers. Unlike the British Grand Prix, however, the WTCC races will be held at the so-called International Circuit.

“We will have a bit of a home advantage,” Team Manager, Mark Busfield said. “As a team we have of course raced on this track lay-out before and all the drivers have done so as well, so we can hit the ground running. Using the shorter lay-out will also make for better racing for the drivers as well as for the spectators.”

Expectations for the British rounds of the WTCC are the same as in Magny-Cours: qualify in the top half of the grid and try to bring all cars home in both races. “To make sure all three drivers have a race car in perfect condition for Silverstone a lot of time these past two weeks has been spent re-shelling the two cars that were involved in the Monza and Magny-Cours accidents.”

On the development side the team has been busy as well. “We are currently further developing the exhaust, something we started in Magny-Cours and which showed promising results. We are also looking at some engine modifications as well. And to further reduce the speed deficit we are closely looking at making the best possible use of the aero package. As per the regulations, the aero package is frozen for the season,” Busfield explained.

More pre-race set-up work will be done by Rob Huff at Snetterton on Wednesday. “Rob will try some modifications regarding the brakes and suspension in order to further optimize these,” Busfield said. “Nicola will then do the shake down of the other two cars at the MIRA proving grounds before the team will set off to Silverstone.”

For Rob Huff the Silverstone race is like meeting again with a dear, old friend. “This is where it all started for me,” he said. “In 1989, I took my first racing lessons at Silverstone, and I also won my first races at this track. Over the years I have done many, many laps on all the different configurations of Silverstone. And I’m the touring car lap record holder of the International Circuit, set at a BTCC meeting almost exactly a year ago. Needless to say I’m very much looking forward to this weekend, especially should it rain. There are a few tricks you need to know about the International Circuit, but equally needless to say I’ll keep these to myself and my team mates!“

2005 WTCC DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 races)

1. D Müller (BMW), 29 points; 2. J Müller (BMW), 25; 3. Priaulx (BMW), 23; 4. Garcia (BMW), 19; 5. Tarquini (Alfa Romeo), 14;…

2005 WTCC MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 races)

1. BMW, 65 points; 2. Alfa Romeo, 46; 3. Seat, 33; 4. Chevrolet, 12.

SILVERSTONE WTCC SCHEDULE (All times BST = CET minus 1 hour)

Saturday 14th May09.00-09.30 Free Practice 111.30-12.00 Free Practice 214.15-14.45 Qualifying

Sunday 15th May08.25-08.40 Warm Up14.10-14.35 2005 WTCC Race 1 (14 laps = 50.670kms)15.15-15.40 2005 WTCC Race 2 (14 laps = 50.670kms)

Both races and the warm up will be broadcasted live on Eurosport.