BTCC 2010 Season
Cruze Timelapse
31/05/2009
Incidents during the first lap of race 1 and the handicap of running with high weight influenced the overall result of the Chevrolet Cruzes in the Race of Spain, the fifth round of the World Touring Car Championship, which took place today in the Circuito Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
All three cars managed to finish both races, although they were unable to score any drivers points. The team are staying at Valencia, to do some development testing tomorrow to continue the performance path of the new Cruze, in preparation for the next race in Brno in three weeks time.
· QUOTES
Nicola Larini (11th / 12th): "Our cars were simply too heavy with respect to competition. Because of that, I had to brake earlier at every corner and was unable to hold back some of my opponents. I was hit during the first corner incident in race 1, but managed to emerge with not too much damage. In race 2, the car was very good in the first laps, but because of the weight the tyres were down on performance as from lap 5. There was nothing more we could do".
Alain Menu (15th / 12th): "The first corner in race 1 was simply madness. I got touched by a SEAT and ended in the gravel, losing me many positions and damaging my steering. In race 2, I had a nice fight with Rydell and Porteiro, but I could not do any better than 12th, we did not have enough speed".
Rob Huff (22nd / 22nd): "I got hit in the first corner in race 1, and lost positions, then a couple of laps later I had contact with Bennani, and had to stop in the pits to change a punctured right front tyre. In race 2, I had a good start, but later made a little mistake in turn 2, missing the braking point and unwillingly hitting Alain."
Mark Busfield: "Unfortunately, all our three cars got involved in the melée in the first corner, where everybody seemed to be involved, and we suffered damages to different extents. This impacted on our pace and results in race 1 and put us down the grid for race 2. Tomorrow, we will be here in Valencia to test and do some work on the suspension and set-up that should take us forward in the development of the car".
Eric Neve: "We knew we cannot win every weekend and we knew that Valencia was going to be difficult. There is still a lot to learn about the new Cruze and this is why the team has planned a testing session here tomorrow, where we can build on the information gathered during the weekend".
VALENCIA RACE 1 RESULTS
1. Y Muller SEAT León TDI 13 laps in 23m13s675
2. T Monteiro SEAT León TDI +1s884
3. G Tarquini SEAT León TDI +4s157
4. A Farfus BMW 320si +5s364
5. A Priaulx BMW 320si +5s943
11. N Larini Chevrolet Cruze +16s461
15. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze +26s381
22. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze +1 lap
VALENCIA RACE 2 RESULTS
1. A Farfus BMW 320si 13 laps in 23m16s075
2. J Müller BMW 320si +0s540
3. G Tarquini SEAT León TDI +5s426
4. A Priaulx BMW 320si +5s884
5. A Zanardi BMW 320si +6s676
12. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze +20s965
13. N Larini Chevrolet Cruze +23s139
22. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze +43s503
WTCC DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 10 OF 24 :
1. Y Muller (SEAT), 57 points; 2. A Farfus (BMW), 54; 3. G Tarquini (SEAT), 46; 3. A Priaulx (BMW), 35; 5. R Huff (Chevrolet), 32; ... 10. N Larini (Chevrolet), 14; 11. A Menu (Chevrolet), 14; etc
WTCC CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 10 OF 24:
1. SEAT, 136 points; 2. BMW, 120; 3. Chevrolet, 96; 4. Lada, 35.
NEXT RACE: Race of Czech Republic, Brno, 20-21 June 2009.
For more information please contact:
Michell Seaman
Events Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1933 402 440
Email: michells@rmlmallock.co.uk
