The WTCC replaces the current European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) Die WTCC ersetzt die augenblicklich noch ausgetragene Europäische Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft (ETCC)

CHEVROLET TO ENTER 2005 FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP ZÜRICH, 23 September 2004 - Chevrolet Europe will participate in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). It is the first time in its history that Chevrolet, GM’s largest global brand, is entering a full factory team in an official FIA world championship. The announcement comes less than a week after the news that Chevrolet would begin to market in Western Europe a range of cars built primarily by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) in Korea, a strategy already successfully deployed in North and South America, Asia Pacific, South Africa and, most recently, Central and Eastern Europe. Three Chevrolet Nubiras (called Lacetti in some markets) will be developed, built and entered into the 2005 championship series by the renowned British racing team RML (Ray Mallock Limited). "We are excited to be launching GM’s first FIA world championship entry with Chevrolet," said Erhard L. Spranger, Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe. "A strong motorsports presence provides the perfect stage for a strong brand to showcase its core values to a global audience. The FIA World Touring Car Championship provides exactly the platform Chevrolet needs to achieve its goals." "Chevrolet was looking for a product with high potential. We are delighted and honoured that the car developed and built by GM Daewoo has been chosen to spearhead the brand’s European growth," said Nick Reilly, President and CEO of GM Daewoo. "You need an experienced technical partner when you take on a programme like the WTCC. RML has a proven track record and expertise in motorsports and in touring cars in particular." "We are very proud to represent Chevrolet in its first global motorsports challenge," said Ray Mallock, founder and Managing Director of RML. "We are looking forward to a very promising and successful relationship with the brand." The WTCC replaces the current European Touring Car Championship (ETCC). For the first time, it will be run in 10 countries in Europe and Latin America as well as in China. "When we were looking for a suitable platform to showcase the fact that Chevrolet is now a true global brand, we were immediately convinced of the benefits of the FIA World Touring Car Championship," said Eric Nève, who is responsible for the 2005 Chevrolet Touring Car project. "It allows us to compete against the same brands we compete against in the marketplace, while at the same time providing all the right commercial and communications advantages. This programme demonstrates our confidence in our products and the Chevrolet brand." The rollout of the first prototype is scheduled for December. The first actual race-going Chevrolet Touring Car will then hit the track for an extensive test programme throughout Europe. The drivers will be announced at a later stage. "We have been talking to a number of drivers who have all the ‘ingredients’ for Chevrolet’s global racing programme," Nève continued. "We are looking for individuals who have won races and championships before and can bring a wealth of experience and understanding to the brand." The ETCC’s decision to grow beyond Europe coincides with Chevrolet’s plans to become GM’s global entry-level brand. The new WTCC will offer a comprehensive package of media coverage, reaching out to sports enthusiasts all over the world. The WTCC is tentatively scheduled to start in Italy (Monza, 10 April), then to go to France (Magny-Cours, 1 May), the United Kingdom (Silverstone, 15 May), the Czech Republic (Brno, 29 May), Mexico (26 June), Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps, 22 July), Germany (Oschersleben, 28 August), Turkey (Istanbul, 18 September) and Spain (Valencia, 2 October). The season’s finale is scheduled for the city circuit of Macau in the People’s Republic of China on 20 November. Chevrolet Europe signs touring car champion Alain Menu: "I want to be world champion" October 01, 2004 -36 race victories in his career make Menu record holder in British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) - Chevrolet will enter with three cars in World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Zurich.Almost 100 years after Louis Chevrolet, the Swiss born founder of General Motor's world wide value brand, won his first race (Three Mile Race in New York, 1905), Chevrolet Europe has signed another Swiss born champion to drive for the brand in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Geneva born Alain Menu (41) has just been nominated as first driver in Chevrolet Europe's three car team. Prepared by Ray Mallock Ltd in the UK, the Chevrolet touring car will compete in the new WTCC which succeeds the European Touring Car Championship. Eric Nève who is responsible for the race program within Chevrolet Europe: "We are extremely happy that Alain will drive for us. His skills will be an important factor in developing our race car. At the same time his experience will give us a benchmark for how well our car needs to perform." Alain Menu has high goals for his comeback in two litre touring cars as well: "We want to be on the podium in the first year. And by 2006 we must be able to win. I want to become world champion with Chevrolet." Menu is one of the world's most successful touring car pilots. While competing in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) from 1992-2000, he was champion twice (1997 and 2000). Also, Menu has achived 36 BTCC race victories during his career, an all time record. On September 26, 2004, Menu finished second in the BTCC Masters. In this Race of Champions most former front runners of the BTCC competed in identical Seat Cupras. CHEVROLET WORLD TOURING CAR (WTCC 2005) TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions Wheel base 2,600 mm Length 4,500 mm Width Per FIA regulations Height 1,360 mm Front track 1,560 mm Rear track 1,560 mm Curb weight 1,140 kg Fuel capacity 70 litres Chassis/suspension/tyres/wheels Structure frame Steel unitary structure with FEA optimised rollcage Body Steel/composite with Motorsport Aerodynamic Kit as defined by FIA regulations Front suspension MacPherson Strut Rear suspension Dual link Wheels and tyres 9" x 17" aluminium racing rims Michelin Competition tyres Front brakes 4-pot machined aluminium calliper, 295 x 32 vented steel disc, air cooled Rear brakes 2-pot machine aluminium caliper, 290 x 9.7 steel disc Engine Type 2.0-l, 4-cylinder Displacement 1,998 cc Intake system 64 mm throttle, individual injection, plenum with internal trumpets Valve train 16-valve, direct-mech tappet, 34 mm inlet & 28 mm exhaust valve diameter, coil spring Compression ratio 11 to 1 Horsepower 270 bhp at 8,400 rpm Torque 197 ft/lbs at 5,800 rpm Top Speed (estimated) 158 mph (254 kph) Transmission Type 6-speed sequential shift Mechanical linkage DAEWOO Automobile Deutschland GmbH, Chevrolet Europe, September 23, 2004 Top | HOME | MOTORSPORTS | CARS AND VEHICLES | | MOTORSPORT | MODELLE | | MOBILER ALLTAG | © Copyright 2004, motormove online. 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