The Chevrolet WTCC team concluded its two-day group test at the Valencia race track in Spain, today. The test at Valencia – which will host the first European round of the 2008 WTCC next month – was the first of two centrally-organized tests scheduled before the WTCC will make its eight-stop European tour. Nicola Larini and Alain Menu drove the Chevrolet Lacetti test car, the Swiss driver setting the fastest time in the Wednesday session, while Larini was fifth fastest on Tuesday. The next group test takes place in Oschersleben in early May.

QUOTES

Nicola Larini: “It was a routine test session, continuing the development work on the chassis we started here in Valencia some time ago. Everything went well, according to the programme and with no hiccups. I am satisfied with the work I managed to do and that was continued and validated by Alain. The lap times were good, but that has not a lot of importance as lap times in Valencia are always much better when the season is cooler.”

Alain Menu: “I worked mainly on different suspension settings, but we haven’t decided on anything final yet. The engineers will now take the data home and come up with a good package for the race. In total I ran some 92 laps, which indicates we haven’t had any reliability issues whatsoever.”

Mark Busfield: “We used the two days predominantly to prepare for the Valencia race, but also tried out some small development items. It has been a successful two days and the team is looking forward to start our European campaign building on the success we’ve had in Mexico.”