Tempus Sport do first mileage with Lacetti

Tempus Sport has made it’s first mileage with their new Chevrolet Lacetti, which they will be racing this year in the British Touring Car Championship. Their driver Harry Vaulkhard took the wheel of the Chevrolet at the Portuguese track Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.

Due to the rainy weather, Vaulkhard only managed to do 317 kilometers of testing last thursday and friday. On the first day of testing, the track was completely wet. During the morning on the second day, the track dried up, allowing the team to run on slick tyres as well.

“The new car is certainly a big step forward from the one I used last year and I’m very positive after having my first run in it”, Vaulhard said after the test. “The difference in how the car handles is night and day – it felt like it had more grip in the wet than the old car in the dry! It does exactly what you want it to, which is want you want from a race car.”

“The whole set-up with the team is very professional, and working alongside RML is fantastic. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel in Estoril.”

Rob Huff, works driver for Chrevolet, also took the wheel of the Tempus Sport car, to do some comparison work. Last year Huff drove the Lacetti in the World Touring Car Championship. “It was great to get back behind the wheel of the car with which I achieved so much success in the World Touring Car Championship last season”, Huff said.

“The car has over four years development in it, so it’s pretty much everything a race car should be. It was strange seeing a different team running what I see as ‘my’ car, but the Tempus Sport crew look highly professional so I’m sure they will be very successful in 2009.”

Richard Coleman, Tempus Sport Team Manager said: “This was a strong first test for us and I think we look set for a very good year ahead. The car performed faultlessly and Harry looked superb behind the wheel.”

“Unfortunately, the Portuguese weather didn’t quite deliver what we ordered, but as we’ll be racing in the UK any running in wet conditions is clearly very valuable!”

Tempus Sport now head due north to Estoril to continue their winter test programme.