Test Report Qualifying Report Qualifying Result Race Report Race Result

CHEVROLET LEADS THE WAY IN ZANDVOORT

Alain Menu Sets Fastest Time Of The Day

ZANDVOORT (TESTING/FREE PRACTICE), 4 May 2007 — The first competitive outing of the definitive 2007-spec Chevrolet Lacetti WTC in Zandvoort today was a success. Alain Menu set the fastest time in the early afternoon Testing session, while the Chevrolets set fourth, ninth and tenth fastest time in the late afternoon Free Practice session. The main difference between the two is that the first session is considered a private test session and this means teams and drivers are free in their choice of tyres. In the afternoon session, part of the official weekend's proceedings, the drivers were limited to their regular weekend quota of 12 new tyres.

. QUOTES

Alain Menu (1st)/10th): “In the first session I used two sets of new tyres near the end of the session. Obviously I’m pleased with the result, but I have to add that I had the “unfair advantage” of having raced here in the DTM, so I know the track quite well. Others were clearly still learning the track but we will surely be right up there tomorrow. In the afternoon we tried some different set-ups for the race, but they didn’t give us the grip we had earlier so we’ll look in a different direction tomorrow.”

Nicola Larini (7st)/4th): “I had a good lap in the first session which in my opinion was a good benchmark to start working from. In the afternoon we did just that and were quite competitive despite running on old tyres.”

Rob Huff (11st)/10th): “It was a good day today and we were progressing well. It was a bit different out there from when we last tested here in February, because it was raining then and today it was almost like summer, so I had to get used to the track again. I’m sure we’ll be right up there tomorrow.”

Mark Busfield: “We’re very pleased with today’s results. Our strategy was to use two sets of new tyres in the private session, which we used near the end when the track was at its best. Alain had a clear track and a bit of a tow to set his time, but we feel today’s form bodes well for tomorrow’s qualifying session. In today’s second session we used – like most other competitors – tyres left over from the previous round in Brazil, hence the slower times. We mainly looked for a proper race set-up on all three cars without looking for times. Nevertheless, Nicola’s form shows we’re clearly working in the right direction.”

Eric Nève: “I’m very happy that all the efforts put in these last few months pay dividends at the track. But also on the trackside everything is going great for Chevrolet, with already 160 guests invited by the host market. These initiatives show the interest as well as the effect of the WTCC on a host market like the Netherlands.”

ZANDVOORT TESTING TIMES
1
    A Menu Chevrolet Lacetti 1m47s424
2
  A Priaulx BMW 320si + 1s069
3
  T Monteiro SEAT Leon + 1s084
4
   A Farfus BMW 320si + 1s201
5
   G Tarquini SEAT Leon + 1s218
7
   N Larini Chevrolet Lacetti + 1s344
11
   R Huff Chevrolet Lacetti + 1s535

 

ZANDVOORT FREE PRACTICE TIMES
1
    T Monteiro SEAT Leon 1m48s972
2
  R Colciago SEAT Leon + 0s206
3
  A Farfus BMW 320si + 0s440
4
   N Larini Chevrolet Lacetti + 0s641
5
   F Porteiro BMW 320si + 0s794
9
   N Larini Chevrolet Lacetti + 1s217
10
   R Huff Chevrolet Lacetti + 1s265

 

CHEVROLET RACING INSIGHT ON THE WEB

As at last year’s fly-away events, Chevrolet Insight will again show you the behind-the-scenes of the Chevrolet WTCC team. On Saturday and Sunday, media and fans alike will get the latest information and can ask their questions via the web in Chevrolet’s own web cast. The web address is still www.chevrolet-insight.com. First airings will be at 8.00pm local time (2.00pm Detroit time, 3.00am Seoul time), after which the 15-minute programme can be viewed as Video On Demand by clicking the appropriate button. New for 2007 is that the programme will now go out at all the events of the championship.
> Curitiba
Brazil (10 - 11 March)
> Zandvoort
Netherlands (05 - 06 May)
> Valencia
Spain (19 - 20 May)
> Pau
France (02 - 03 June)
> Brno
Czech Republic (16 - 17 June)
> Porto
Portugal (07 - 08 July)
> Anderstorp
Sweden (28 - 29 July)
> Oschersleben
Germany (25 - 26 August)
> Brands Hatch
Great Britain (22 - 23 September)
> Monza
Italy (06 - 07 October)
> Macau
China (16 - 18 November)