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| CHEVROLET FIT FOR A PROMISING WEEK-END IN BRANDS HATCH | |
| Menu 8th in free practice session | |
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BRANDS HATCH, May 19th, 2006 — The three Chevrolet Lacetti WTC put together a strong and consistent performance in today's half-hour free practice in Brands Hatch ahead of the 5th and 6th rounds of the World Touring Car Championship, which is visiting for the first time the legendary British circuit.
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All the three cars managed to end the session within 1s5 from the fastest cars, despite having used only one set of tyres, contrarily to most competitors. Both Alain Menu and Rob Huff topped the times ranking in the initial stages, before the session being red-flagged because of an accident.
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Rob Huff, who is competing at home and will be supported during the week-end by hundreds of members of his fan club, explained that the Lacetti was suffering of some under-steering in the ondulating and twisty Kentish track. Team-mate Alain Menu confirmed the analysis: “The front of the car is a little bit unstable when braking in tight corners, which is troublesome when looking for the apex and causes some under-steer. In the faster corners, it is the rear of the car which seems a little bit nervous”.
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Nicola Larini, who has basically never raced before in the Brands Hatch race circuit, focused on learning the track and finding his own reference points. “I am pretty happy”, said the Italian driver, “as this session has been very useful for me and the times do not look bad at all”.
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Team Manager Mark Busfield looks forward to the week-end: “We knew Brands Hatch should be a good track for us and what we have seen during this free practice confirmed it. It will be important for us to have a good de-briefing with the drivers this evening, so we can make the necessary adjustments before qualifying tomorrow”.
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“Weather conditions will also play a crucial role”, adds Chevrolet's Europe Motorsport Manager Eric Nève. “Today it was still dry but very windy and the forecasts are not good for the week-end. This can make things more difficult for everybody and the race can be extremely open. I think we have some very good chances here”.
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BRANDS HATCH FREE PRACTICE TIMES
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| 1. J Thompson (Seat Leon) | 1m33s744 |
| 2. A Farfus (Alfa Romeo 156) | + 0s192 |
| 3. Y Muller (Seat Leon) | + 0s387 |
| 4. R Rydell (Seat Leon) | + 0s526 |
| 5. P Terting (Seat Leon) | + 0s767 |
| 6. J Müller (BMW 320si) | + 0s838 |
| 7. A Zanardi (BMW 320si) | + 0s839 |
| 8. A Menu (Chevrolet Lacetti) | + 0s897 |
| 12. R Huff (Chevrolet Lacetti) | + 1s304 |
| 17. N Larini (Chevrolet Lacetti) | + 1s500 |
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| > | 19 July 2006 Chevrolet heads to Mexico after intensive tests |
| > | 30 June 2006 Brazilian winter and soccer fever welcome WTCC |
| > | 23 June 2006 Interactive live web conference from Curitiba |
| > |
29 May 2006 Chevrolet Starts Four-Race “World Tour” In Germany |
| > | 19 May 2006 Menu 8th in free practice session |
| > | 10 Mai 2006 Rob Huff Keen To Go Back To Track Of First Touring Car Success |
| > |
21 April 2006 Balances and Calculators As Important as Stopwatches |
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27 March 2006 35 Cars Expected In Closer Than Ever Touring Car Fest |
| > | 22 March 2006 Ideal Conditions At Second Day Of Official Test |
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21 March 2006 Team Sees Winter Promise Confirmed |
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10 March 2006 First Privateer Lacetti Runs In Magny Cours |
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28 February 2006 Learning Process On New Tyres Continues |
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21 February 2006 Drivers Enthused By 2006 Chevrolet Lacetti WTC |
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08 February 2006 Rob Huff Happy With “Comfortable and Smooth” Car |
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30 January 2006 First Customer Cars Will Run In ADAC Procar Championship; WTCC Outing Possible |
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12 January 2006 Continues Involvement in Top-Level Motorsports |
| > | 11 Januar 2006 New Car To Start Testing In February; Customer Cars Available |
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