Record Chevrolet presence for Marrakech
After an eight-week absence the WTCC returns to action this weekend in Morocco, with a record presence of Chevrolet’s on the grid. Eight cars from the marque will line-up in Marrakech this weekend, with the three works Cruze and double Bamboo Engineering entries being added to by Maurer Motorsport’s three-car attack.
For the second ever WTCC round at Marrakech, the Swiss team will be entering three Chevorlet Lacetti’s for home drivers Ismail Sbai, Youssef El-Marnissi and Larbi Tadlaoui to provide local interest, but the main focus will remain on the trio of Cruze’s towards the front.
In 2009 Rob Huff took the maiden victory for the second-generation Chevrolet at Marrakech, with Nicola Larini making it two from two later in the day. Last year in a SEAT Yvan Muller finished fourth and then second as the Chevrolet’s proved the car to have, so the Championship leader is looking forward to his weekend:
“The Cruze did very well there last year and, with the progress made on the car since then, we should be competitive, despite the fact that we will be leveled with our competitors in terms of weight.
“As always in Marrakech, brakes will be the key thing to watch, as they are extremely challenged in that track”.
Despite what is perceived to be an overall weaker field, Huff predicts a harder weekend than a year ago, saying, “For sure, Marrakech will be tougher for us this year, but I am very confident. As proved in Brazil, we have a good car and there is no reason why we should not be among the front-runners.
“As always on a street circuit, anything can happen, so it will be a matter of being sensible, do a good qualifying and bring home heavy points for the championship”.
With regards to the changes to a track, which Muller describes as “Not the most exciting of the season, but it is technical and interesting”, Alain Menu said:
“I have been told that the straight is a little bit bumpier than last year, but we will have to wait for the testing session on Friday to see the real impact these changes may have”.
The Swiss though is looking to one aspect of his weekend though!
“I am happy to go back to Marrakech, this is at least one of the events where we can be sure of finding good weather!”
Weather has proved problematic for Chevrolet so far this season, with first the Mexico races being cancelled due to flooding, before a test session at Pembrey was hit by weather described by Chief Engineer Ron Harvelt as “not helpful”, particularly as, “From Marrakech onwards, the schedule will become very tight, with one race after the other until the August break, so we have to be effective in planning our work at the factory”.
Commenting on the presence of so many Chevrolets at one race, Chevrolet Motorsport Manager Eric Nève said:
“Eight Chevrolets entered at the Marrakech event is certainly an unusual number for us! It is very rewarding to see that privateer teams and drivers are relying on our products to compete, and I am sure that having three Moroccan drivers on Chevrolets at Marrakech is very positive for our brand.
I hope we will have an exciting week-end, although I know it will be difficult to do as well as last year, but the team has been working hard since Curitiba and is fully focused on the overall objective for this year”.
