The Chevrolet team continued working on the development and testing of the Cruze 1.6 turbo car. Rob Huff completed the last pre-season test, yesterday ay Sywell airfield and today at Silverstone.
So far, the new Cruze has covered over 4,500 kms of tests, equal to 2/3 of total mileage covered during one WTCC race season.
Development work is aimed at optimizing both performance and reliability, in view of meeting the very demanding criteria of the new FIA technical rules, by which only one engine change per car will be allowed in 2011 and none in 2012. Work is also focusing on other areas such as front brakes and tyres that have to stand the heavier constraints resulting from increased power and torque.
Whilst Huff was testing, Yvan Muller and its WTCC champion car were the guests of honour in a special celebration that took place at the Bira Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand and was attended by over 60 media representatives from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.
Next week Muller, Huff and Alain Menu will attend the press days of the Geneva Motor Show and will be available for the media at the Chevrolet stand.
WTCC AND USTCC PLAN TO COOPERATE
WTCC promoter Marcello Lotti and USTCC director Ali Arsham met in the United States to lay the basis for a future cooperation between the two championships.
Lotti was visiting the US to evaluate the possibilities of including for the first time an American event in WTCC’s 2012 calendar. He took the opportunity to meet Arsham and establishing the first contacts with the Nitto US Touring Car Championship.
"The US market is very important for car Manufacturers and this is why we are seriously taking into consideration the idea to hold a WTCC event here. And because one of our priorities is to establish friendly relationships with national touring car series worldwide, the logical step was to contact Ali Arsham, whose championship makes the Super 2000 cars eligible among other classes. We have started working together with the aim to organize a common event for next year," said Lotti.
Ali Arsham commented: "It would be an honour for the USTCC to contribute bringing the World Championship to the United States. Sharing the same event would be a terrific benefit for both championships and I’m looking forward to work together with Marcello Lotti. The next step will be choosing the right location and date for a common race meeting."