Chevrolet heads to Sonoma Raceway in California for rounds 17 and 18 of the 2012 World Touring Car Championship with its third Manufacturers title within touching distance.
The first event after the summer break sees the United States making its debut in the WTCC and for Chevrolet, the first chance to race in front of their home fans.
Sonoma Raceway marks the start of the final leg of the 2012 campaign with the Asian races in Japan, China and Macau to go after the American adventure and for Chevrolet to arrive in Asia as the 2012 Manufacturer Champions; they need to outscore BMW by 42 Points and SEAT by 37 points.
The three Chevrolet drivers lead the way in the drivers’ Championship with reigning Champion Yvan Muller leading the way by 17 points from Briton Rob Huff. Alain Menu is third, 37 points behind Muller.
For Muller, the trip to Sonoma is one that he is looking forward to and despite not knowing the circuit, will prepare in the best way he can for the event.
“Now is time to think about Sonoma. It is certainly a big thing for the WTCC to be racing in the US for the first time, and everybody is excited. This is especially the case for me as I’m a great fan of the US, and of the American culture and way of life,” said Muller.
“I have never been to Sonoma, so there is little I could say about the track. I will approach this round as always – trying to do the best I can on and off the track. We’re entering the final straight of the championship and things are starting to get serious.”
For Huff, the break between Curitiba in July and the trip to Sonoma has given him the opportunity to marry his long term partner, Jazz.
“I have taken the opportunity of the long break to get married. Jazz (Jasmine) and I have been a couple for several years and we had planned this to happen sooner or later. It is a big moment in a person’s life, so the focus for me in recent weeks has shifted to more personal matters. We’ll go on honeymoon in January after the championship is over,” explained Huff.
Huff is also looking forward to the first WTCC Race of the USA, in front of Chevrolet’s home crowd.
“Now the priority is racing and this final part of the championship is going to be decisive. Our first stop is Sonoma. It’s great to be in the U.S. for the first time and it’s the home country of Chevrolet, so we need to do our best.”
“Like my teammates, I have never raced in Sonoma but we have been working on data, simulations and footage. It looks like a great circuit and I look forward to being there.”
Menu compares the Sonoma race track to either Brno or Spa and is looking forward to the trip to California and getting to explore the local area.
“The Sonoma track is unknown territory for me. What I know is that it is a natural track, which could be compared to Spa or Brno in Europe, and that’s great news for me because I love that type of circuit. I have never been to the West Coast of the U.S. so I am anxious to go out to explore and discover San Francisco and the wine region.”
“Regarding the Championship, I am still in a great position to claim the title and won’t give up, although I also need Yvan and Rob to be unlucky at some point to have a real shot at it,” Menu concluded.