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The Cruzes Sweep the Floor again in Donington!

Muller takes double win ahead of Huff, Menu third in Race 1, maximum Manufacturer points for Chevrolet

2011-07-17

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It was another very successful day for Chevrolet, as the Cruzes posted another 1-2-3 in Race 1 and a 1-2 in Race 2 in Donington, the home race of the RML team. Yvan Muller took a double win, in both instances ahead of Rob Huff, and the gap between the Frenchman and the Brit in the Drivers’ championship has now been reduced to 15 points. Alain Menu was third in Race 1 and 5th in Race 2, completing the excellent team result.

The rain was on and off in both races, which took place on a track that was damp in some places, causing a number of race incidents. One of those involved Muller and Huff, who had a contact at the beginning of Race 2, which the stewards investigated and found to be a normal race incident, but did not prevent the Cruzes from winning the race.

Taking again the maximum of Manufacturer points, Chevrolet has further extended its lead in the Manufacturers’ standings ahead of the German round of the WTCC, the last before the summer break.

•QUOTES

Yvan Muller (1st / 1st): “It was a perfect weekend for me: with the pole and two wins, I have proved I was the fastest man on the track here in Donington. The car was fantastic, very well balanced and I only had to worry about the rain. It was more slippery at the end of Race 1, while in Race 2 it was ok. Regarding the contact with Rob in Race 2, I think it was just unfortunate and a race incident like you have many in touring car racing. I have made a step forward in the championship and I’m determined to continue on the same trend!”

Rob Huff (2nd / 2nd): “An exciting weekend for sure. Although I did not win in front of my home crowd, I can’t be upset with two seconds, it’s good for the championship and I am not losing too much ground to Yvan. I am only annoyed by the contact with Yvan in Race 2, I still think he should have given the position back to me, but these things happen in touring car racing.”

Alain Menu (3rd / 5th): “I am happy with third in Race 1: once I got rid of Tarquini, I found a good pace but Yvan and Rob had pulled away, then when the rain started I didn’t take any risk. Race 2, on the contrary, could have been much better, I was in a position to fight for victory, but was slowed down by a contact with Villa who had been touched by Tarquini and that basically ruined my chances. I had to fight with Tarquini again for a while, and when I passed him, I was too far from the leaders.”

Eric Nève: “It’s another good weekend for Chevrolet and this is particularly nice here, close to RML’s base. It’s the fifth 1-2-3 and the fifth 1-2 of the season, we can hardly ask for more, but we should not lose the focus, as our competitors are progressing a lot.”

DONINGTON RACE 1 RESULT

1. Y Muller Chevrolet Cruze 13 laps in 21m21s521
2. R HuffChevrolet Cruze+ 1s136
3. A MenuChevrolet Cruze+ 3s903
4. T CoronelBMW 320 TC+ 8s708
5. G Tarquini SEAT SR León 1.6T + 9s299

DONINGTON RACE 2 RESULT

1. Y MullerChevrolet Cruze11 laps in 21m33s182
2. R HuffChevrolet Cruze+ 0s957
3. F EngstlerBMW 320 TC + 2s719
4. T CoronelBMW 320 TC+ 4s826
5. A MenuChevrolet Cruze+ 8s392
8. D O’YoungChevrolet Cruze+13s031

DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 14 OF 24:

1. R Huff (Chevrolet), 263 points; 2. Y Muller (Chevrolet), 248; 3. A Menu (Chevrolet), 192; 4. T Coronel (BMW), 124 ; 5. G Tarquini (SEAT), 115 ; ... 11. D O’Young (Chevrolet), 43; 14. C Bueno (Chevrolet), 25; etc.

MANUFACTURERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 14 OF 24:

1. Chevrolet, 577 points; 2. BMW, 328; 3. SEAT SR, 313; 4. Volvo, 92.