6.1.2005
Chevrolet Lacetti WTC has successful shakedown

The very first Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car has been shaken down at the MIRA Proving Grounds in Nuneaton, U.K., yesterday. British driver, Rob Huff, put the first miles on the clock for what is Chevrolet's first-ever factory racing effort in Europe.

The shakedown went very well and without any major problems, other than the usual teething problems that come with every brand-new racing project.

Driver Rob Huff said: "It's been a very positive start for us; the car feels good and is nicely balanced. We carried out various system checks and everything is running well."

On return from MIRA the car will receive a complete mechanical check before undergoing various workshop tests, including torsion, camber & toe stiffness tests to validate the computer calculations. This process will take approximately ten days and will be followed by testing various set-up options, including spring, anti-roll bar and damper rates, as well as simpler checks such as confirming fuel tank capacity. These workshop tests will then be followed by additional damper testing in preparation for the second track test on January 21.

The first group test for the new World Touring Car Championship is scheduled to take place at the Monza racetrack in Italy on March 22 and 23. The championship will kick off at the same track on April 10 and finish, after twenty races, in the People's Republic of China on November 20.