GREAT TEAM RESULT FOR CHEVROLET IN RAIN SOAKED OKAYAMA
One Podium for Huff In Race 1 And All Three Cruzes In The Point In Races
2 Despite Dreadful Weather And Track Conditions
OKAYAMA, 1st November 2009 - The Chevrolet team achieved an excellent
team result in today's Race of Japan, in a day that will be remembered
in WTCC history for the dreadful weather conditions, as pouring rain
almost flooded the Okayama circuit. In this difficult conditions, all
three Cruzes finished both races, bringing home one podium and another
three points finishes.
Rob Huff was 3rd in race 1, with Alain Menu missing the points narrowly,
while Nicola Larini had an engine warning which led the team to take the
decision to change the engine, which was done in record time before race
2. In the second race of the day, the Chevrolet drivers put together a
beautiful group performance, finishing 4th, 5th and 6th.
The team now prepares for the last round of the 2009 WTCC in the streets
of Macau, a circuit which is potentially much more favorable to the
Cruze and a place which is generally dryer and warmer!
Rob Huff (3rd/6th): "I am very happy with the team result in a day like
this. The wet conditions eventually suited us, as the Cruze's set-up and
balance was very good, but it was really hard to drive today. In race 1,
I could hardly see anything, I was looking for the line where I had some
grip, I certainly did not expect to finish on the podium. In race 2, I
went slightly off in turn 2, like many others, fell back to position
16, but managed to climb back to 6th. It was a hectic race, but once I
managed to pass Poulsen and then Tarquini, I was the fastest car on the
track".
Alain Menu (9th/4th): "In race 1, my electrics cut out shortly after
the start and I lost two places, then I battled a lot with Farfus for
the eighth position, unfortunately we had contact which lost the pole
for race 2. I am very pleased with the fourth position in race 2, the
car was very good and we didn't change much to it, but the conditions
were very, very bad and quite dangerous, with a risk of aquaplaning
everywhere".
Nicola Larini (12th/5th): "Visibility and aquaplaning were really an
issue today! In race 1, I got stuck behind Thompson for a long time,
then towards the end of the race the engine warning came on, so we
decided to change the engine in-between races to avoid any risk at
Macau. I must thank the boys, who did a fantastic job in giving me a
perfect car for race 2 and to get a good result despite starting from
the back of the grid. I avoided trouble at the start and then was pretty
fast throughout the entire race, the car felt really good and it was
great to finish 5th from the back ".
Mark Busfield: "Today we have seen the weather play into our hands,
where the rain has proved a real leveler to all the cars on the grid,
and we benefited most from this. Its great to come away from here with
the cars in good condition as the logistics are tight to get everything
rebuilt tonight before being packed into the containers tomorrow and
then onward to Macau."
-credit: rml
