The 2007 World Touring Car Championship will next stop in Brno for the Race of the Czech Republic next weekend. For the Chevrolet team it will be a very happy return to a track where one year ago the brand scored its second 2006 victory thanks to a brilliant performance by Rob Huff. Since then, of course, the Chevrolet Lacetti’s performance has turned the car into a regular front runner, as witnessed by the victories of Alain Menu and the frequent visits to the podium by Nicola Larini.

The Czech race has become one of the favorite stops of the WTCC, as the natural track in the hills close to Brno is pure delight for both drivers and spectators, the latter attending in the tens of thousands.

Rob Huff, Alain Menu, Nicola Larini and the entire Chevrolet team head to Brno with confidence: the competitiveness level reached by the Lacetti, the characteristics of the track and the results of last year indicate that the team should do well this year too.

QUOTES

Rob Huff: “I am particularly happy to go back to Brno, where last year I had an unforgettable day. It is a track I like a lot and I will be racing with the same car that I drove to victory in 2006. Since the last race in Pau, this chassis is again my race car and I must say it is much better balanced than the one I drove in the first races of the year. I had a difficult start of the season but since the two fourth positions scored in Pau, I really feel back in business again and I am anxious to be driving in Brno as soon as possible.”

Alain Menu: “Winning in Pau and conquering a second victory this season has been a great satisfaction for the entire team. But there is little time to celebrate, as the pace of the championship, with an event every other week, is quite fast at the moment. We are focusing now on Brno, it is a circuit where we did well in the past and I believe we can be again competitive there.”

Nicola Larini: “I am currently fifth in the Drivers’ Championship and my objective in Brno will be to go for more points. Brno is a circuit I like and that is favorable to the Lacettis, so let’s hope that with the significant improvements we introduced in the car during recent months, we can be even better than last year. In any case, for me, the good news ahead of this race is that I will no longer carry a heavy success ballast as in Pau (45kgs). This will certainly make my life easier!”

Eric Nève: “As we approach the mid-season, the issue of success ballast is becoming more and more important, but is also affecting more and more competitors. So, managing the weight is as important as developing and improving the car. Brno will always be a special place for us, not only because of the good memories we have from last year but also because of the passion of Czech fans for motorsports and the presence of many people from the surrounding countries. Coming here is always a pleasure and I am sure we are going to have a terrific week-end.”

BRNO RACE SCHEDULE

Saturday, 16 June 2007

09.00-09.30 Free Practice 1
12.00-12.30 Free Practice 2
15.00-15.30 Qualifying

Sunday, 17 June 2007

09.30-10.00 Warm up
12.00-12.30 Race 1: 10 laps = 54.030kms (Rolling start)
15.30-16.00 Race 2: 10 laps = 54.030kms (Standing start)


DRIVERS POINTS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 8 OF 22

1. A Priaulx (BMW), 42 pts; 2. A Farfus (BMW), 40; 3. J Müller (BMW) 31; 4. Y Muller (SEAT), 28; 5. N Larini (Chevrolet) 25;... 7. A Menu (Chevrolet), 21;... 11. R Huff (Chevrolet), 14;...


MANUFACTURERS STANDINGS AFTER RACE 8 OF 22

1. BMW, 106 pts; 2. SEAT, 86; 3. Chevrolet, 71; 4. Alfa Romeo, 39.


BRNO WTCC ON TV

The races will be broadcasted live on Eurosport International.