21.11.2005
First podium for Chevrolet in WTCC

The last race of the 2005 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) took place in Macau, China, last weekend. It ended on a brilliant note, with Alain Menu earning a well deserved first podium finish in the WTCC for Chevrolet. For the moment, however, this third rank is only tentative.

The last race of the 2005 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) took place in Macau, China, last weekend. It ended on a brilliant note, with Alain Menu earning a well deserved first podium finish in the WTCC for Chevrolet.

In race 1, Alain Menu battled understeer, brushing the barriers and damaging his car’s balance. He appeared set on finishing in eight position -- delighted to start the second leg from pole -- before inadvertently passing cars that had deliberately slowed to take advantage of the reverse order grid and ending up fifth.

In race 2, Menu took off from the second row and rapidly found himself third before the safety car took to the track after an incident involving Rob Huff’s Chevrolet Lacetti. After the restart, with only two racing laps to go, he defended his position, finishing a brilliant third. «This is where we belong and this is where we shall be next year, although a few steps higher», said Menu. «It wasn’t easy out there today as circumstances are always quite extraordinary when racing on this very difficult track.»

Upon post-race scrutineering, only one liter of fuel remained in Menu’s car while regulations require a minimum of three liters at the finish. The stewards of the meeting subsequently excluded the car from the results. Following data analysis, it appears Menu’s accident damage in the first race caused excess fuel consumption which has prompted the team to enter an appeal that suspends final classification. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) will communicate the date for the International Court of Appeal hearing.

Nicola Larini enjoyed a strong fourth-place finish in the first race and set out to protect his teammate’s top three placing in the second heat, before veering off the course and finishing race 2 as eleventh.

Rob Huff was the victim of collateral damage in race 1, hitting the Armco while taking avoiding action. The Chevrolet team worked hard on repairing the car for race 2. He was battling his way up the field after starting from the pitlane but unfortunately had to retire in lap 4 after an accident.

Andy Priaulx (BMW) is the 2005 WTCC champion, ahead of Dirk Mueller (BMW) and Fabrizio Giovanardi (Alfa Romeo).

BMW also won the manufacturer championship, ahead of Alfa Romeo, Seat, Chevrolet and Ford.