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The New Cruze 1.6 Turbo Off To A Good Start In Brazil
Huff and Muller in the top 3, Bueno 6th and Menu 12th in first testing session
CURITIBA, 18th March 2011 - A new era in WTCC's history was inaugurated today, as cars equipped with the 1.6 turbo petrol engines hit the track for the first time, during the two testing sessions ahead of the 2011 season-opener in Brazil. The new Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 turbo had a positive debut, with Rob Huff signing the second-fastest time, a few tenths ahead of team-mate and World Champion Yvan Muller. Local hero Cacá Bueno was an excellent sixth-fastest and Alain Menu was 12th, after devoting the 30-minute afternoon session to working on race set-ups.
The new Cruzes experienced no problems and had already been in P2 (Menu) and P3 (Muller) in the longer morning shake-down, which had to be red-flagged 20 minutes from the end because of an accident. Humid and hot weather is forecasted also for tomorrow's qualifying session, which will deliver the first 'serious' verdict of the season.
• QUOTES
Rob Huff (2nd): "I am pleased with the times today, although one always wonders if we couldn't have done a little bit better, but we are definitely in the top end of the grid and the Cruze has shown solid performance and nice power. It seems that we have good pace but this will have to be double-checked tomorrow in qualifying."
Yvan Muller (3rd): "I am satisfied with this first working session with the new Cruze. All the parameters have changed, not only because of the new engine but also because the track has been resurfaced, so there are still a lot of things we have to understand and work on, but the first impression is positive."
Cacá Bueno (6th): "I am delighted of being again at the wheel of the Cruze, and in front of my home crowd! Of course, this is a circuit I know well and this helps. Today's sixth best time is a very good start, but this is going to be a tough weekend for me, as I am also competing in the Brazilian stock-car race and I will be jumping from one car to the other!"
Alain Menu (12th): "Nothing special to report, it was a good working session and I am happy we could complete with no hiccups the program we had planned. I have been on a race set-up this afternoon and the car feels quite nice".
CURITBA TESTING RESULTS
1. T Coronel BMW 320TC 1m23s090
2. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 0s623
3. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 0s706
4. F Barth SEAT León TDI + 0s774
5. G Tarquini SEAT León TDI + 0s913
6. C Bueno Chevrolet Cruze + 1s248
12. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 1s601
For more information on Chevrolet's World Touring Car Championship programme, please contact:
Eric Nève at Chevrolet Europe
eric.neve@gm.com, Tel : + 41 79 681 89 76
Web: http://media.chevroleteurope.com
The New Cruze 1.6 Turbo Off To A Good Start In Brazil
Huff and Muller in the top 3, Bueno 6th and Menu 12th in first testing session
CURITIBA, 18th March 2011 - A new era in WTCC's history was inaugurated today, as cars equipped with the 1.6 turbo petrol engines hit the track for the first time, during the two testing sessions ahead of the 2011 season-opener in Brazil. The new Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 turbo had a positive debut, with Rob Huff signing the second-fastest time, a few tenths ahead of team-mate and World Champion Yvan Muller. Local hero Cacá Bueno was an excellent sixth-fastest and Alain Menu was 12th, after devoting the 30-minute afternoon session to working on race set-ups.
The new Cruzes experienced no problems and had already been in P2 (Menu) and P3 (Muller) in the longer morning shake-down, which had to be red-flagged 20 minutes from the end because of an accident. Humid and hot weather is forecasted also for tomorrow's qualifying session, which will deliver the first 'serious' verdict of the season.
• QUOTES
Rob Huff (2nd): "I am pleased with the times today, although one always wonders if we couldn't have done a little bit better, but we are definitely in the top end of the grid and the Cruze has shown solid performance and nice power. It seems that we have good pace but this will have to be double-checked tomorrow in qualifying."
Yvan Muller (3rd): "I am satisfied with this first working session with the new Cruze. All the parameters have changed, not only because of the new engine but also because the track has been resurfaced, so there are still a lot of things we have to understand and work on, but the first impression is positive."
Cacá Bueno (6th): "I am delighted of being again at the wheel of the Cruze, and in front of my home crowd! Of course, this is a circuit I know well and this helps. Today's sixth best time is a very good start, but this is going to be a tough weekend for me, as I am also competing in the Brazilian stock-car race and I will be jumping from one car to the other!"
Alain Menu (12th): "Nothing special to report, it was a good working session and I am happy we could complete with no hiccups the program we had planned. I have been on a race set-up this afternoon and the car feels quite nice".
CURITBA TESTING RESULTS
1. T Coronel BMW 320TC 1m23s090
2. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 0s623
3. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 0s706
4. F Barth SEAT León TDI + 0s774
5. G Tarquini SEAT León TDI + 0s913
6. C Bueno Chevrolet Cruze + 1s248
12. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze + 1s601
For more information on Chevrolet's World Touring Car Championship programme, please contact:
Eric Nève at Chevrolet Europe
eric.neve@gm.com, Tel : + 41 79 681 89 76
Web: http://media.chevroleteurope.com
