25.9.2006
Nicola Larini on podium at WTCC race in Istanbul

Chevrolet driver, Nicola Larini joined his team mates as a WTCC podium finisher by finishing third in the second of the Istanbul races, yesterday. It is Chevrolet’s fourth podium finish this season, clearly confirming Chevrolet’s target to become a podium contender at every round.

Things did not go all that well in the first race, however. Both Rob Huff and Alain Menu ran into the same competitor at different stages and for different reasons, but the result was the same with Huff finishing a distant 15th and Menu retiring. Nicola Larini, who just like last year in Istanbul had qualified fastest Chevrolet, drove a strategically clever race by running in sixth for a long time before dropping back to seventh, guaranteeing him a first row slot on the grid for race 2.

Race 2 has to be delayed for three hours later as a rain storm flooded part of the track. On a wet and darkening Istanbul Park track, Larini made a blitz-start and led from the first corner. But a daring pass by a competitor saw both cars touch, bending Nicola’s right steering arm. “From then on it became increasingly difficult to keep the car on the track. I could smell my first podium and no matter how the guys behind me tried, it was unconceivable that I would let them pass me. All I have to do now is join my team mates in the WTCC Winners Circle.”

Rob Huff drove his now customary stellar race in the rain, starting in 15th and moving up to sixth by the finish. Alain Menu ended the second race in the same way he ended the first: in the pitlane.

The next round of the WTCC takes place on October 8th in Valencia, Spain.

ISTANBUL RACE 1 RESULTS
1. A Zanardi (BMW) 10 laps (53.380kms) in 21m19s910
2. R Rydell (SEAT) + 1s002
3. G Tarquini (SEAT) + 3s937
4. D Müller (BMW) + 11s685
5. D Huisman (BMW) + 12s005
7. N Larini (Chevrolet) + 16s630
15. R Huff (Chevrolet) + 32s684
20. A Menu (Chevrolet) + 1 lap

ISTANBUL RACE 2 RESULTS
1. G Tarquini (SEAT) 10 laps (53.380kms) in 23m06s124
2. P Terting (SEAT) + 0s652
3. N Larini (Chevrolet) + 8s139
4. R Rydell (SEAT) + 8s276
5. J Gené (SEAT) + 8s479
6. R Huff (Chevrolet) + 9s513
DNF A Menu (Chevrolet) Accident

Drivers world championship standings
1. A Priaulx, 58pts; 2. G Tarquini, 57; 3. R Rydell, 54; 4. D Müller, 51; 5. J Thompson, 49;… 13. A Menu, 20; 14. R Huff, 20: 15. N Larini, 14;…

Manufacturers world championship standings
1. SEAT, 201pts; 2. BMW, 192; 3. Alfa Romeo, 125; 4. Chevrolet, 103.