The Chevrolet team has added one more cup to its 2007 collection of trophies: Nicola Larini won yesterday the Eurotouring, the traditional exhibition race that takes place in the Shell Arena of Bologna (Italy) in the framework of the Motorshow car and race festival.

The race took place on a 936-metre track and was designed as a head-to-head tournament. Driving his usual Chevrolet Lacetti WTC, on a completely soaked track, Nicola won seven duels before reaching the finale against Roberto Colciago (Seat).

Larini won the first heat and lost the second, but the addition of times gave him the final victory. James Thompson (Alfa) was third and Gabriele Tarquini (Seat) fourth.

With this success the Lacetti ends the season unbeaten on street circuits, after having won in all WTCC’s urban events (Pau, Porto and Macau).

QUOTES

Nicola Larini: “I am very happy to have conquered my first success at the wheel of the Lacetti, after having been many times so close to victory in the WTCC races. To do it here in Italy, in front of my fans, adds something special to this result. The race was difficult, because of the slippery conditions: I had some over-steer and it was not easy to stay on the track. In the finale, I made a little mistake in the second heat but thanks to a perfect last lap I could make the time lost and beat my opponent by 3 hundredths of a second”.

Mark Busfield: “This is the perfect way for the Chevrolet team to end a season which has given us many moments of joy. I am happy that Nicola took his first victory with the Lacetti and I am happy that we reinforce our position of best performer in urban tracks: we won on all street circuits this year!”

Eric Nève: “The Bologna Eurotouring is a very special event, a celebration of cars and motor racing, which attracts big crowds, and especially a lot of young, enthusiastic people. For Chevrolet, it is important to be in events like these and it is even better if you win! Nicola has done a great job and I congratulate him. Now is time to focus exclusively on 2008 and to continuing the development and testing work with the Lacetti. With the first race of the 2008 WTCC scheduled in Curitiba early March, the intra-season period is going to be particularly short, as cars and equipment will be shipped for the long journey to Brazil at the end of January. We will be ready and are looking forward to another exciting season!”