3.10.2006
Five Chevrolets to start in last European WTCC race of 2006

Fresh from a second consecutive podium finish in Istanbul, the Chevrolet WTCC team is now gearing up for the final European race of the 2006 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in Valencia, Spain, next weekend. With Rob Huff’s win in Brno and Nicola Larini’s podium finish in Istanbul, team, car and drivers are clearly on a roll and very much looking forward to keep the momentum going.

“I’m convinced I could have had a good shot at winning in Turkey,” Nicola Larini said, “had it not been for a bent steering arm after I got swiped by another competitor. I did of course have the benefit of running without any success ballast, but the last few races nevertheless show our car is competitive at different tracks and in different weather conditions.”

An added point of interest in the Chevrolet camp will be Spanish lady driver, Maria De Villota, who will be driving for the Swiss-based, German championship winning Maurer Motorsport. The daughter of former Formula 1 driver, Emilio, will be the first ever lady to drive in the WTCC, and will race along newly-crowned German Touring Car Champion, Vincent Radermecker (Belgium). With these two additional drivers, a total of five Chevrolets will start to the last European WTCC race of 2006.

VALENCIA WTCC SCHEDULE
Saturday October 7th
09:00 – 09:30 Free Practice 1
12:30 – 13:00 Free Practice 2
15:00 – 15:30 Qualifying

Sunday October 8th
10:15 – 10:30 Warm Up
15:15 – 15:40 WTCC Race 1 (13 laps = 52.065kms)
16:20 – 16:45 WTCC Race 2 (13 laps = 52.065kms)

Warm-up and the races will be broadcasted live on Eurosport, as well as on www.fiawtcc.com.

HANDICAP WEIGHTS FOR VALENCIA
1. A Priaulx, +65kgs; 2. G Tarquini, +65kgs; 3. R Rydell, +55kgs; 4. D Müller, +55kgs; 5. J Müller, +50kgs; 6. P Terting, +40kgs; 7. A Farfus, +40kgs; 8. Y Muller, +30kgs; 9. J Thompson, +30kgs; 10. A Zanardi, +20kgs; 11. O Nogués, +20kgs; 12. M De Villota, +20kgs; 13. G Morbidelli, +20kgs; 14. J Gené, +15kgs; 15. R Huff, +10kgs; 16. A Menu, +10kgs, 17. N Larini, +5kgs; 18. S Tavano, +5kgs; 19. T Coronel, +5kgs.

POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 16 OF 20
Drivers: 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, 13;…
Manufacturers : 1. SEAT, 201pts; 2. BMW, 192; 3. Alfa Romeo, 125; 4. Chevrolet, 103.