Chevrolet claims two wins in the US
One win each for Muller and Huff, now tied in Drivers’ Championship

Chevrolet won both races in the first-ever WTCC event in the USA. Yvan Muller and Rob Huff won a race each and are now tied on points in the Drivers’ championship.

Muller and Huff completed a one-two success in Race 1 after Alain Menu was forced out of the lead by technical problems, sustained after contact with Gabriele Tarquini at the start of the race. Huff won Race 2 after a drive through penalty dashed Mullers hopes of a double. Alain Menu, who started Race 2 from 10th, finished in 4th position.

Today’s results mean Chevrolet is now very close to mathematically securing its third WTCC Constructors’ title. The RML-run Cruzes fell ten points short from conquering the crown today, and the team will have to wait until the next round in Japan before opening the champagne bottles.

The fight for the Drivers’ title is more open than ever, with Muller and Huff now tied on 315 points. The Frenchman remains on top of the standings as he has won more races. Menu is 49 points behind but still in contention despite his misfortune at Sonoma.

Race 1 saw a great start for the Cruzes, which quickly took the first three positions. Poleman Menu was ahead of teammates Muller and Huff, but the Swiss had to lift off as he developed a steering issue on lap 4. Menu was forced to the pits for repairs, losing four laps in the process.

Despite starting from the middle of the grid in Race 2, Muller and Huff quickly progressed to 3rd and 4th position respectively after a couple of laps. With race leader Mehdi Bennani in a BMW spinning on lap 4, the duo gained a position, but on lap 5 contact between Muller and Franz Engstler, also in a BMW, paved the way for the Frenchman to take the lead.

The stewards, however, penalized Muller with a drive-through, effectively ending any hopes of a points finish and paving the way for Huff, who controlled BMW’s Norbert Michelisz’s attacks in the closing laps.

The WTCC now crosses the Pacific for the Asian tour that traditionally closes the season and includes stops in Japan, China and Macau.

Rob Huff (2nd / 1st):
“It’s been a fantastic day here in Sonoma. I couldn’t have asked for more and the championship situation is now completely open again. There was little I could do against Yvan in Race 1, I was struggling to follow him but 2nd was a good result. “In Race 2 I was following Yvan again and then he was handed a drive through penalty, which was a lucky break for me. In the final laps, Michelisz was very close, I was very cautious not to damage my tyres because I know Norbert is a very fair driver and he wouldn’t do anything crazy. Interestingly, someone seemed to forget the chequered flag at the end of the race, so we all did an extra lap at race speed.  I found that pretty entertaining.” 

Yvan Muller (1st / 14th):
“Race 1 was tough, but I started well and then used every opportunity I had. When Alain had the problem with the steering, I took the lead and focused on controlling the race. It’s a very nice feeling to win in America, the home of Chevrolet. “I had a very good start in Race 2 but then there was a very slight contact with Engstler which did not even leave a mark on my bumper. Despite this I was still handed the drive through penalty. I do not want to comment on the stewards’ decision; what happened, happened. The result is that the championship is now completely open and everything will start from scratch in Japan.”

Alain Menu (17th / 4th):
“I was very unlucky to have the steering problem in Race 1 when I was leading. Since the very start of the race I noticed something was wrong with the steering wheel. It got harder and harder and was locking at times, so I decided to stop in the pits because the car was impossible to drive. “It’s a pity because I lost a lot of important points. Race 2 was pretty uneventful, I didn’t start well, but managed to climb to 4th position.”

Eric Nève:
“It’s wonderful to win both races in the US and to be so close to the third Constructors’ title. Both races were very exciting and rich in emotions. The fight in the Drivers’ championship is now completely open again and that promises a thrilling end of the season. I’m sorry for what happened to Alain in Race 1, but that is racing.” 

Ron Hartvelt, RML Project Manager:
“We had a challenging weekend but the results were superb. It was great to claim two wins on home soil in our first trip to the States. The Drivers’ championship is still wide open and we are looking forward to the final three WTCC rounds in Asia.”

Sonoma Race 1 Result

1. Y Muller           Chevrolet Cruze       13 laps in 23m34s369
2. R Huff               Chevrolet Cruze       + 0s564
3. N Michelisz        BMW 320 TC              + 5s444
4. G Tarquini         SEAT León WTCC     + 8s847
5. A MacDowall     Chevrolet Cruze          +11s803
13. R Holland        Chevrolet Cruze          +40s092
18. A Menu           Chevrolet Cruze       + 4 laps

Sonoma Race 2 Result

1. R Huff               Chevrolet Cruze       15 laps in 29m19s176
2. N Michelisz        BMW 320 TC              + 0s370
3. G Tarquini         SEAT León WTCC     + 1s199
4. A Menu             Chevrolet Cruze       + 3s718
5. T Coronel          BMW 320 TC              + 7s571
7. A MacDowall     Chevrolet Cruze          +12s682
14. Y Muller           Chevrolet Cruze          +23s467
16. R Holland       Chevrolet Cruze        +25s184

WTCC Drivers Standings after Race 18 of 24

1. Muller (Chevrolet) and Huff (Chevrolet), equal on 315;
3. Menu (Chevrolet), 267;
4. Tarquini (SEAT), 193 ;
5. Coronel (BMW), 164 ;
7. Michelisz (BMW), 152;
…10. McDowall (Chevrolet), 52; …15. Nykjær (Chevrolet), 20; …17. Rydell (Chevrolet), 14;  

WTCC Manufacturers' Standings after Race 18 of 24

1. Chevrolet, 761 points; 2. BMW, 486; 3. SEAT, 472. 

NEXT RACE: Race of Japan, Suzuka, 19-21 October 2012.

About RML
The RML Group comprises the following divisions; Motorsport, Automotive, Engines and Events.  Based in Northamptonshire, England, the company’s 4,300 square metre facility includes design, development, manufacturing and operational support for international race/rally programmes and automotive engineering projects including performance engine development.  Since its formation in 1984 RML has achieved success in a diverse range of motorsport categories including GT/sportscars, touring cars, rally cars, single seaters and oval speedway cars. 

RML works together with a number of specialist official suppliers and technical partners including Beissbarth, OMP Racing, Mobil Oils and ATS Wheels.

RML also supports Spinal Research as the team's chosen charity.

More information on RML is available at www.rmlmallock.co.uk

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