Tom Chilton impressed with new Cruze

New ROAL Motorsport driver Tom Chilton was impressed with the new Chevrolet RML Cruze TC1 after testing last Friday at Valencia. The 29-year-old will get another two-day test with the car on Sunday, where he will be joined by team-mate Tom Coronel.

Chilton had 120km worth of running in the new car, after a rear-wing issue hampered their progress on Thursday. The 2010 BTCC independent drivers’ champion will head into his third season in the WTCC, now with his third different team, Aldo Preo and Roberto Ravaglia’s ROAL Motorsport operation. The Italian team will also be fielding non BMW machinery for the first time in the World Touring Car Championship, with the switch to RML’s Chevrolet Cruze.

“It was great to drive the new RML Cruze WTCC car. It really looks and feels like a GT racing car to drive now,” said Chilton.”

“I was very impressed with the feedback I had through my fingertips on the steering wheel. The car straight out of the box was very neutral and easy to drive. I feel we have a great baseline setup to
build upon. I just want to say a thank you to RML Group for getting our car ready for this test. Over the two days it was a great chance for ROAL Motorsport and RML to work together closely and learn more about the Cruze.

“We had one or two teething problems to start with but nothing out of the ordinary when building a new
race car. I’m really looking forward to getting more miles under my belt next week in Italy to prepare ourselves for what is going to be a very exciting year ahead with all the new regulations.”

Chilton will test at Adria Raceway on Sunday and Monday, with Dutch team-mate Tom Coronel joining him to shakedown his own Chevrolet Cruze ahead of the WTCC season start on April 13th in Marrakech.