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Wayne Brannon celebrating the 1-2-3 in Race 1 with Muller, Menu and Huff on the podium
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Menu and Huff Give Another Double Win to the Cruzes in Porto!
The team leaves Portugal with the maximum tally of points
2011-07-03
Chevrolet and the RML team made it another triumphant day today in the Race of Portugal which marked the end of the first half of the 2011 WTCC season. A 1-2-3 in Race 1, won by Alain Menu, and 1-2 in Race 2, with Rob Huff in the top position, mean Chevrolet has won 11 out of 12 races this year and has a very comfortable lead in both championships.
In Race 1, Alain Menu made perfect use of the pole position and pulled away to take a flag to flag win whilst and Rob Huff put on a show with their fight for second. Race 2 was definitely more lively, with Muller and Huff battling for victory. Contact could not be avoided when the Brit overtook the Frenchman at mid distance of the race, but the stewards saw no reason to launch any investigation on what can be seen as a normal racing incident that sometimes happens when two great drivers are fighting for the championship. Alain Menu finished 6th.
The Cruzes are now heading back to the , for what can be considered their home race, as the next round will take place in Donington, not far from RML’s base in Wellingborough.
· QUOTES
Rob Huff (3rd / 1st ): “A very good weekend for Chevrolet and for myself and a result that is the best reward for my crew, that has done an exceptional job. I enjoyed fighting with Yvan in Race 1, it was hard because I was so close to him that I could hardly see anything else than the back of his car, which led me to make a couple of mistakes. Eventually, I preferred not to take any risk and stay with third, which means good points for the championship. In Race 2, the car was really awesome and I could take the lead and win the race. It’s a shame, of course, that there was contact with Yvan when fighting for the lead, but I don’t think there was anything wrong by either me or him. This is racing and these things can happen. ”
Alain Menu (1st / 6th ): “A very positive weekend for Chevrolet and for myself. Race 1 was a job well done, there is little more to say: I had a good start and could build quickly a good gap over Yvan, which was useful, as I could concentrate on my driving without having to look at the mirrors too much. I only slowed a bit the pace in the last three laps. In Race 2, I avoided Dahlgren when he stalled at the start, but touched slightly the wall, then I had a couple of contacts with Tarquini. Eventually, I could pass him, with a nice overtaking, although he doesn’t seem to see it the same way. I fought also with Coronel, but didn’t want to take any risks with him. In such a track, sixth is not a bad result when you start 9th.””
Yvan Muller (2nd / 2nd ): “I am not entirely happy with my weekend. Although two seconds is not necessarily a bad result, I leave with the impression of having lost an opportunity. In Race 1, there was nothing I could do to keep the pace of Alain, I did not have the speed, so I focused on defending second from Rob, which was tough, but I succeeded. In Race 2, there was this contact with Rob, the only thing I can say is that I was holding my line going through the chicane and Rob gained the position cutting the chicane...”
Eric Nève: “Once again we go home with a double win and the maximum of points for the Manufacturers’ championship, so it’s another great weekend. We have seen some good racing here in Portugal, and also some close fighting, but it can’t be otherwise at this level of competition. Now, we need to focus on Donington, which is around the corner and an important event for the team.”
RACE 1 RESULT
1. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze 11 laps in 22m22s763
2. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 1s262
3. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze + 1s519
4. T Monteiro SEAT SR León 1.6T + 5s710
5. G Tarquini SEAT SR León 1.6T + 10s457
RACE 2 RESULT
1. R Huff Chevrolet Cruze 11 laps in 3m24s533
2. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze + 1s797
3. T Monteiro SEAT SR León 1.6T + 8s728
4. N Michelisz BMW 320TC + 9s752
5. T Coronel BMW 320 TC +10s059
6. A Menu Chevrolet Cruze +11s114
DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 12 OF 24:
1. R Huff (Chevrolet), 227 points; 2. Y Muller (Chevrolet), 198; 3. A Menu (Chevrolet), 167; 4. T Monteiro (SEAT), 101; 5. T Coronel (BMW),100; ... 10. D O’Young (Chevrolet),39; 12. C Bueno (Chevrolet), 25; etc.
MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 12 OF 24:
1. Chevrolet, 491 points; 2. BMW, 279; 3. SEAT SR, 276; 4. Volvo, 76.
