Another triple podium for Chevrolet in Japan
Muller, Huff remained tied on points as Menu wins Race 1 and closes gap

Chevrolet celebrated its third consecutive Manufacturers’ title victory in the best possible way by taking another 1-2-3 win in Race 1 in Suzuka on Sunday.

All three Chevrolet drivers finished Race 2 in the points, with the results of the first leg of the WTCC Asian tour seeing Yvan Muller and Rob Huff still heading the Drivers’ standings on equal points – 345 – and Alain Menu gaining 10 points on his teammates to climb to 307.

In Race 1, pole-sitter Menu took his fourth win of the year after a flawless race from flag to flag. He was followed by Muller and Huff who came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The RML-run Cruzes started Race 2 from rows 4 and 5 on the grid (see Qualifying report below), but still managed to gain positions at a circuit traditionally known to be challenging for overtaking. Huff, Menu and Muller finished the race in 4th, 5th and 6th.

The Chevrolet hat-trick on the podium in Race 1 was complemented by Alex MacDowall, who came in 5th overall but claimed top spot among the independent racers at the wheel of a Bamboo Engineering Cruze.

With the Manufacturers’ championship decided, all the attention is focused on the exciting battle for the Drivers’ crown, which has become a private affair between the Chevrolet drivers, the only ones still in the race for the title.

The final two rounds of the 2012 WTCC season, in China and Macau, promise to be extremely closely-fought battle between the three Chevrolet drivers.

Alain Menu (1st / 5th):
“It was definitely a good weekend for me with a repeat of last year’s victory. Additionally, I leave Suzuka in a better position in the championship. I am still very much in contention for the Drivers’ title as I reduced the gap from Yvan and Rob by 10 points. It is really unfortunate that I had that setback in Sonoma as I would be much closer to them.

“Race 1 did not seem to be very eventful, but it was not easy. I started well and stayed ahead of everyone, but I had to stay extremely focused to keep my lead and avoid making mistakes, which is something that can easily happen on this track.

“Yvan and Rob were very close behind, so I couldn’t afford the slightest error. On top of that, I tried to be extremely careful with the front tires. Eventually everything went well.

“In Race 2, I also had a good start and was able to overtake Yvan and end up in 5th position.”

Yvan Muller (2nd / 6th):
“I’m very happy with the way the weekend went, even though I did not have spectacular results. It was perfect for Chevrolet as we secured the Manufacturers’ title and claimed another 1-2-3.

“In Race 1, the only key moment was the start. I managed to keep Rob behind at the first corner and secure at the second. In Race 2, the three of us climbed some positions, which is fine considering that it is difficult to do much more on a track like this.

“It’s still a perfect status quo at the top of the championship. That’s fine with me and makes the final two rounds even more exciting.”

Rob Huff (3rd / 4th):
“A fantastic weekend for the team and an unchanged situation in the Drivers’ standings. Yvan and I are still on perfectly equal footing on points.

“Race 1 results reflected qualifying with none of us making any mistakes. In Race 2, I had a good start and kept Yvan behind me. I didn’t push very hard as I didn’t want to take any risks. The only interesting moment was when I overtook Bennani – I saw the opportunity and went for it.”

Stuart Cowie (Operations Manager):
“We are very pleased with the weekend. We mathematically made certain of the Constructors’ championship, took another triple podium and collected six finishes in the points. We couldn’t ask for more.

“I‘m happy the three cars finished the weekend unscathed, which is important ahead of the following events. This is made even more important when you are so far from home and when you have your three drivers fighting for the Drivers’ title. They are managing this situation in the most professional way and I want to congratulate them for that.”

Suzuka Race 1 Result

1. A Menu              Chevrolet Cruze           23m44s880
2. Y Muller             Chevrolet Cruze           + 0s812
3. R Huff                 Chevrolet Cruze           + 1s419
4. G Tarquini            SEAT León WTCC         +13s828
5. A MacDowall       Chevrolet Cruze             +14s273
13. D O’Young         Chevrolet Cruze             +23s724

Suzuka Race 2 Result

1. S D’Aste             BMW 320TC                  23m54s717
2. P Oriola               SEAT León WTCC         + 2s562
3. G Tarquini            SEAT León WTCC         + 2s845
4. R Huff                 Chevrolet Cruze           + 3s774
5. A Menu              Chevrolet Cruze           + 4s220
6. Y Muller             Chevrolet Cruze           + 4s568
9. A MacDowall       Chevrolet Cruze             + 7s707
13. D O’Young         Chevrolet Cruze             +18s945

WTCC Drivers Standings after Race 20 of 24

1= Muller (Chevrolet), 345
1= Huff (Chevrolet), 345
3. Menu (Chevrolet), 307
4. Tarquini (SEAT), 220
5. Coronel (BMW), 170
; … 9. MacDowall (Chevrolet), 66; … 15. Nykjær (Chevrolet), 20; … 17. Rydell (Chevrolet), 14

WTCC Manufacturers' Standings after Race 18 of 24

1. Chevrolet, 835 points; 2. BMW, 543; 3. SEAT, 532.

NEXT RACE: Round 11, Race of China, Shanghai, 2-4 November 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

You can read all the latest news on www.chevroletwtcc.com, or at www.rmlmallock.co.uk

For more information, please contact:
Sara Lambden - RML Group
Email: Sara Lambden
Telephone: 01933 402440

Qualifying Report

Chevrolet secures third consecutive Manufacturers’ title
Four Cruzes top Suzuka qualifying to assure mathematical certainty
Suzuka, 20 October 2012

Chevrolet secured its third consecutive WTCC Manufacturers’ title at Suzuka after four Cruzes topped the qualifying session ahead of Sunday's Race of Japan.

The handful of points granted to the top five qualifiers means that no other manufacturer can catch Chevrolet at the top of the standings, regardless of what happens in the final three rounds of the series.

The RML run Cruzes proved particularly effective on the short and narrow Eastern track of the Japanese circuit. Alain Menu repeated last year’s feat and claimed pole position with teammates Yvan Muller and Rob Huff coming in second and third respectively.

The grid for Race 1 tomorrow will see four golden bowties up front after Bamboo Engineering’s Alex MacDowall completed the quartet of Cruzes.

With BMW only securing 5th place, Chevrolet claimed the eight points needed to win the coveted third consecutive World Champions title, a remarkable achievement that sees the U.S. manufacturer leave an indelible mark on the history of the WTCC, the world’s top touring class series.

The Drivers’ crown will also stay with the team, but the battle is still wide open with the three Chevrolet drivers as sole contenders in the title race. By virtue of his second place in qualifying, Yvan Muller now heads the table on 319 points, one ahead of teammate Rob Huff. Menu is in third position on 272 points.

Alain Menu (1st):
“It’s great to take a third pole of the year and repeat the one obtained here last year. Still, the best news of the day is having secured the Manufacturers’ title, which is fantastic for Chevrolet and the entire RML team.

“The car performed extremely well and I must thank my engineers and mechanics because they did a superb job. We were on top of the two free practice sessions, but we implemented some set-up changes as we felt that we were going in the wrong direction. It proved to be the right choice.

“On this circuit, it is almost impossible to find the perfect balance, so it’s a matter of finding the best compromise. We achieved it and I managed to complete a good lap in Q2. We will see what tomorrow brings, but let’s enjoy the title for today.”

Yvan Muller (2nd):
“This was a very good qualifying session with very close gaps, as expected. The car worked perfectly. Alain did a great job; he was very fast and effective today and I don’t think I could have done better, so I have no regrets. It’s a fantastic day for Chevrolet and the third Manufacturers’ title is a real achievement.”

Rob Huff (3rd):
“I’m very happy for the entire team as we secured the third title today. It comes with a 1-2-3 in qualifying and in a country where there is such a passion for motorsports; that really adds to the satisfaction.

“My Q2 was not perfect as I made a small mistake when braking into a corner in my first attempt. On such a short circuit, you really can’t afford any mistake. My second run was much better. I actually was the only driver to improve his time in the second run. That made 3rd fastest and I’m satisfied with that.”

Ron Hartvelt, RML Project Manager: “It’s our third title, but the emotion is still the same. You don’t get used to it or bored with this fantastic feeling. I wish to thank the drivers and the team for their fantastic job, and everybody at Chevrolet and RML who made this possible.

“To win three FIA World Champion titles in a row doesn’t happen very often. This will stay in Chevrolet’s history. All cycles have a beginning and an end: Chevrolet will leave the WTCC after this season to take up other challenges, and it’s great to say goodbye as World Champions.”

“Now we are going to enjoy the exciting battle for the Drivers’ title, which can only be won by one of our drivers. We’ll make sure the three will have the same chances in this final and decisive phase.”