Yvan Muller, Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T, Chevrolet
James Holland
Suzuka to open WTCC Asian tour as fight for Drivers’ title heats up
ZÜRICH / WELLINGBOROUGH, 12 October 2012: The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) is entering its final stages with Chevrolet poised to claim their third Constructors’ crown and an all-exciting battle for top spot in the Drivers’ title.
Chevrolet need to score 10 points or more than their rivals BMW and SEAT in Suzuka, Japan – the first of three Asian events that traditionally concludes the season – to win the coveted Constructors’ tile for a third year in succession.
Things look completely different in the Drivers’ standings after the last round in the U.S. left Chevrolet teammates Yvan Muller and Rob Huff tied on 315 points. The Frenchman still leads the rankings by virtue of a higher number of wins (8 to 4).
Alain Menu is also in contention, but the Swiss, now lying 48 points behind the other two Chevrolet drivers, has a more difficult task. This ‘family battle’ is going to be the focus of a great deal of attention in this final stint of the season.
The WTCC will be hosted at the Suzuka motorsports complex, internationally known as the home of the Japanese Grand Prix, for the second consecutive year. The Suzuka event is Round 10 of the season and will be held from 19 to 21 October.
The WTCC will use the shorter version of the track, also known as the Eastern circuit, which measures 2.243 kms. The track is narrow and characterized by a long straight and a succession of turns of varying radius.
With the cars shipped directly from the U.S. to Japan, the RML-run Cruzes, like their rivals, will finish the season in their current configuration.
The final two WTCC rounds will be held in Shanghai, China, from 2 to 4 November and Macau from 15 to 18 November.
In other news, Yvan Muller shone in his now traditional appearance at the World Rally Championship (WRC) Rally de France-Alsace, a home race for the driver. Driving a Mini, he finished 14th overall, achieving two stage top 5 rankings, a remarkable achievement for a circuit driver.
Source: Chevrolet
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