RML Motorsport

22/11/2009

MACAU, 22^nd November 2009 – The RML Chevrolet Cruze finished its first racing season in the WTCC conquering the seventh win of its young career, as Rob Huff mastered a flag-to-flag win in race 1 in the last event of the 2009 calendar. The Brit kept his promise of conquering both the pole position and one win in the streets of Macau. 

There were many more points for the Chevrolet team in the season's closing round, as Alain Menu took fourth in the race 1 and Nicola Larini and Rob Huff finished 7^th and 8^th respectively in race 2. For the Italian driver, this was his last race with the team, as he announced his retirement from WTCC racing last Friday.  

·         QUOTES 

Rob Huff (1^st/8^th): "Today was a 'perfect-car-perfect-race' day and I am very happy with the result. Race 1 was very good, it is rather unusual to go round Macau without the slightest mistake, not even scratching a mirror, and I could keep the advantage of the pole. In the first 3-4 laps, Monteiro was pushing very hard behind me but then the gap increased and all went fine. In race 2, I got caught in the typical bottle-neck at the first corner and then fought to re-gain some positions. Finishing 8^th I am very happy being 5^th in the overall championship and the best  Cruze in the championship". . 

Alain Menu (4^th/21^st): "I've not much to say about race 1. I climbed to 7^th at the beginning and stayed there for the entire race, with no opportunities to overtake. Eventually, I finished 4^th because some other drivers pulled back strategically to help with points and the grid in race 2. In the second race, I slightly hit the wall at turn 10 and went sideways hitting the barrier on the other side. I had to stop in the pits for repairs and lost one lap, but I could resume the race. I look forward to 2010, I am sure it will be a much luckier year!".  

Nicola Larini (12^th/7^th): "Unfortunately, it wasn't the race I had wanted for my farewell to the WTCC. In race 1, I got stuck in the blockade provoked by the accident between Farfus and Priaulx and lost many positions, then I had to struggle against Coronel and Rydell. In race 2, I took a great start and was fighting with Gené for 6^th when Zanardi hit me very hard in the back, leaving my car like a banana! Luckily, the race was red-flagged because of another incident and I could save the 7^th position. Now it's time to say goodbye to all the folks and ... en route for new adventures!"   

Mark Busfield: "It's been a great finale to the year here in Macau, with another Macau Chevrolet pole and a Race 1 win, we couldn't wish for more. The team as always worked brilliantly this weekend to ensure the cars strong on track performance, and they also performed some great pit work in qualifying and the race".    

Eric Nève: "It's nice to finish the season on a high like this. We are very happy with what the Cruze has shown in this first year of its racing career: 7 wins and 3 poles is really good for a debuting car. Moreover, the Cruze has proven to be the best car on street circuits and grown steadily on all kind of tracks. 2010 is starting now. We are delighted to have Yvan Muller joining our team and preparing a busy work plan for the winter. We really want to be fighting for the title next year!"  

MACAU RACE 1 RESULTS  

1. R Huff               Chevrolet Cruze       9 laps in 23m02s627

2. G Tarquini         SEAT León TDI                       +7s952

3. J Gené               SEAT León TDI                       +8s996

4. A Menu             Chevrolet Cruze                   +10s328

5. Y Muller             SEAT León TDI                       +13s534

12. N Larini          Chevrolet Cruze                   18s476

 MACAU RACE 2 RESULTS 

1. A Farfus              BMW 320si                 7 laps in 22m20s166

2. J Müller              BMW 320si                             +0s801

3. Y Muller             SEAT León TDI                       +1s201

4. T Monteiro         SEAT León TDI                       +1s980

5. G Tarquini         SEAT León TDI                       +3s815

7. N Larini            Chevrolet Cruze                   +5s359

8. R Huff               Chevrolet Cruze                   +5s895

21. A Menu           Chevrolet Cruze                   -2 laps  

DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 24 OF 24 

1. G Tarquini (SEAT), 127 points; 2. Y Muller (SEAT), 123; 3. A Farfus (BMW), 113; 4. A Priaulx (BMW), 84; 5. R Huff (Chevrolet), 73; ... 10. A Menu (Chevrolet), 39; ...13. N Larini (Chevrolet), 27; etc...  

MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 24 OF 24 

1. SEAT, 314 points; 2. BMW, 311; 3. Chevrolet, 215; 4. Lada,83. 

For further information please contact:

Michell Seaman @ RML

Tel: +44 1933 402 440

Email: michells@rmlmallock.co.uk

 

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