WTCC 2007 Chevrolet Results -- Andy Priaulx wins the championship again!!

[Mischief007]

Race 1
1 Jorg Muller (BMW 320si)
2 Andy PRIAULX (BMW 320si)
3 Augusto FARFUS (BMW 320si)
4 Gabriele TARQUINI (SEAT Leon)
5 Robert HUFF (Chevrolet Lacetti)
6 Tom CORONEL (SEAT Leon)
7 Alessandro ZANARDI (BMW 320si)
8 Yvan MULLER (SEAT Leon)
9 Jordi GENE (SEAT Leon)
10 Pierre-Yves CORTHALS (SEAT Leon)
11 Stefano D'ASTE (BMW 320i)
12 Michel JOURDAIN (SEAT Leon)
13 Emmet O'BRIEN (SEAT Leon)
14 Sergio HERNANDEZ (BMW 320i)
D.N.F. Felix PORTEIRO (BMW 320si)
D.N.F. Luca RANGONI (BMW 320i)
D.N.F. James THOMPSON (Alfa Romeo 156)
D.N.F. Nicola LARINI (Chevrolet Lacetti)
D.N.F. Alain MENU (Chevrolet Lacetti)
D.N.F. Olivier TIELEMANS (Alfa Romeo 156)

Race 2
1 Augusto FARFUS (BMW 320si)
2 Andy PRIAULX (BMW 320si)
3 Jorg MULLER (BMW 320si)
4 Yvan MULLER (SEAT Leon)
5 Gabriele TARQUINI (SEAT Leon)
6 Alessandro ZANARDI (BMW 320si)
7 Luca RANGONI (BMW 320i)
8 Tom CORONEL (SEAT Leon)
9 Pierre-Yves CORTHALS (SEAT Leon)
10 Nicola LARINI (Chevrolet Lacetti)
11 James THOMPSON (Alfa Romeo 156)
12 Jordi GENE (SEAT Leon)
13 Stefano D'ASTE (BMW 320i)
14 Olivier TIELEMANS (Alfa Romeo 156)
15 Michel JOURDAIN (SEAT Leon)
D.N.F. Sergio HERNANDEZ (BMW 320i)
D.N.F. Alain MENU (Chevrolet Lacetti)
D.N.F. Emmet O'BRIEN (SEAT Leon)
D.N.F. Robert HUFF (Chevrolet Lacetti)
D.N.F. Felix PORTEIRO (BMW 320si)

Championship
Jorg Muller - 16
Andy Priaulx - 16
Augusto Farfus - 16
Gabriele Tarquini - 9
Yvan Muller - 6
Alessandro Zanardi - 5
Robert Huff - 5
Tom Coronel - 4
Luca Rangoni - 2

Manufacturer's Points
BMW - 36
Seat - 21
Chevrolet - 9
Alfa Romeo - 5

Good race but too bad for the Chevrolets. Race 1 was good for Huff but Race 2 was just very bad for the Chevrolets. The BMWs dominated big time at the track. They were lighter as well though than last year. We had the first ever rolling start for the WTCC as well.

http://www.fiawtcc.com/fiawtcc/curit...o1114438.shtml

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

I'm optimistic about GM's future with this committment to road racing. They are collecting lots of data.

[69Firebird400]

BMW sure had a lot of entries - and their top three were pretty dominant. I like how the cars are very much production-based. I wonder if we'll see better results if the Chevy WTCC makes production.

[mbukukanyau]

It Seems like those Korean cars suck. The Cobalt would probably have dominated from the start

[smk4565]

Not exactly Corvette results, but it is good that they are in there. Road racing not only gets you data and engineering ideas, but it gets your name out there. If they can compete with BMW and Alfa Romeo, they can really help establish the reputation for Chevy.

[CobaltSScrazy]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

It Seems like those Korean cars suck. The Cobalt would probably have dominated from the start

the Cobalt is a fierce borderline dominator in the ST (street tuner class) but I'm not familiar with WTCC, nor the engine, car size, and how close to stock/race car you can be... yes I'd like to think that too but I'm sure ming will shed some light on this topic.

Erg, why can't I be out of school, making money, and saving up for a Cobalt SS!!!?!?!??!???!?? (End Rant )

CobaltSScrazy

[stevecmh]

why not use a different car?

and is Chevy itself its only sponsor for the event

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Originally Posted by smk4565

but it is good that they are in there. Road racing not only gets you data and engineering ideas, but it gets your name out there. If they can compete with BMW and Alfa Romeo, they can really help establish the reputation for Chevy.

Exactly. Once they get competitive, and the WTCC starts beating the Civic Si's of the world in Friday night street races, then it will seem like an appealing car to the "tuners". Chevy needs a competitive small car desperately. If they can offer souped up WTCCs, in addition to hybrid, or other "green" technology in 'em, then they will legitimately have a competitve small car.

The Camaro will help establish Chevy as a performance brand, and greatly help Chevy's perception overall, and the WTCC will appeal to the "tuners".

GM needs to pay as much attention to the small cars, as they do the Camaros of the world. Because todays consumer expect allot out of their small cars. Essentially, they want a $10,000 to $15,000 Lexus that gets +35mpg, and can park in the smallest parking spaces. Attention to exterior design, as well as interior materials, as well as the ability to beat a WRX or EVO out of the box will be crucial. Asking allot? You bet. But the consumer is demanding this.

If GM can produce a Solstice, a Camaro and a GMT-900, they can produce an awesome small car, with many packages.

[bone]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

It Seems like those Korean cars suck. The Cobalt would probably have dominated from the start

You wouldn't see a Cobalt in the WTCC since engines must be naturally aspirated. The max. engine displacement is 2000cc. FWD cars must weigh at least 1110kg while RWD must have at least 1140kg. The Chev team is relatively new to the series and is up against very stiff competition from BMW,Alfa,and Seat. They will get a weight break because they did so poorly in the opening round.

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66

Exactly. Once they get competitive, and the WTCC starts beating the Civic Si's of the world in Friday night street races, then it will seem like an appealing car to the "tuners". Chevy needs a competitive small car desperately. If they can offer souped up WTCCs, in addition to hybrid, or other "green" technology in 'em, then they will legitimately have a competitve small car.

The Camaro will help establish Chevy as a performance brand, and greatly help Chevy's perception overall, and the WTCC will appeal to the "tuners".

GM needs to pay as much attention to the small cars, as they do the Camaros of the world. Because todays consumer expect allot out of their small cars. Essentially, they want a $10,000 to $15,000 Lexus that gets +35mpg, and can park in the smallest parking spaces. Attention to exterior design, as well as interior materials, as well as the ability to beat a WRX or EVO out of the box will be crucial. Asking allot? You bet. But the consumer is demanding this.

If GM can produce a Solstice, a Camaro and a GMT-900, they can produce an awesome small car, with many packages.

Why are you using a Civic Si as an example. Stock for Stock, a Cobalt SS/SC will blow a Civic Si out of the water in a Friday night street race.

Chevy does have street performance "cred". What they need is better "appearance" cred and "reliabilty" cred. Go ask any ricer and that is the 2 things that you will hear the most as to why they became a ricer.

In their hearts they know that with a few exceptions, their cars are slow.

[Mischief007]

Originally Posted by smk4565

Not exactly Corvette results, but it is good that they are in there. Road racing not only gets you data and engineering ideas, but it gets your name out there. If they can compete with BMW and Alfa Romeo, they can really help establish the reputation for Chevy.

They can keep up but had bad breaks during the races. Too bad though. They are becoming very competitive and I expect to see more of them on podiums this year. Curitiba was very good to the BMWs but now the BMWs are getting some weight. As long as the Chevys keep out of trouble, expect podiums. The cars are fast and reliable. I've been following the WTCC for 3 years now and I can see the difference in each year.

[geozinger]

I was impressed to see Alain Menu on the WTCC team.

This may be a dumb question, but why doesn't GM participate in this series with an Opel or Vauxhall instead?

[bone]

Originally Posted by geozinger

I was impressed to see Alain Menu on the WTCC team.

This may be a dumb question, but why doesn't GM participate in this series with an Opel or Vauxhall instead?

They are promoting the Chevrolet brand. Opel and Vauxhall have been around for many decades and have had significant success in various forms of racing. Ray Malloch Racing prepares the Chevs. They have had numerous race and series titles in European road and rally racing.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by bone

They are promoting the Chevrolet brand. Opel and Vauxhall have been around for many decades and have had significant success in various forms of racing. Ray Malloch Racing prepares the Chevs. They have had numerous race and series titles in European road and rally racing.

You're right of course. Whatever happens, I just hope they keep at it. I don't want to see them do this for a few years then drop out altogether. They need to continue to race and compete in the series and not let the corporate bean counters interfere if they see they aren't getting the return they want.

[aball]

Originally Posted by geozinger

This may be a dumb question, but why doesn't GM participate in this series with an Opel or Vauxhall instead?

I would think that it's because Opel and Vauxhall aren't as much of a global brand as Chevrolet. Opels aren't in England, Vauxhalls aren't in mainland Europe and Chevrolet is almost everywhere.

Vauxhall are represented in the British Touring Car Championship with a new Vectra.

I would also imagine that the Chevrolet brand needs sexing up a little more than Vauxhall/Opel, as they have VXR/OPC cars along with cars like GT to spice the range up a little. These series have nothing to do with testing new ideas and collecting data and everything to do with image and marketing.