RML heads to Slovakia and the Slovakia Ring for Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2013 World Touring Car Championship looking to score as many points from the weekend as possible.
With the compensation ballast coming into force for the weekend and the combination of high and slow speed corners as well as the manmade undulations, the team expect a tough weekend.
“Fortunately this year we arrive at the track with a lot of invaluable data and can really get to work on tuning the car for maximum points here,” explains Ron Hartvelt, the WTCC project supervisor for RML.
“But we’re also now carrying extra ballast as the compensation weight comes into effect and all of the Cruzes receive 40kg so this provides an extra challenge for us and our customer teams.
“We’re all chasing that first victory on this track so I know the guys will give it their best. Of course we are then straight into Budapest. Our target, as always, is the top of the podium, but it’s also so important to bring the cars home safely for the next race,” he concludes.
Arriving in Slovakia, Yvan Muller leads the way in the drivers’ Championship and he is seeking his first victory in Slovakia, having encountered a testing time during the last visit to the circuit, where he finished 10th and 2nd.
“The Slovakiaring circuit is new in the WTCC; this is only the second time we go there,” explains Muller. “In 2012 our performance was good, but we have not managed to achieve a great result yet. I hope this year the good results will be there. The target for this weekend is to stay ahead of the championship.”
Tom Chilton in the sister car is heading to Slovakia looking to continue his strong start to the season, which has seen him secure a brace of podium finishes and 4th in the Championship.
The British driver secured a points finish at the circuit in 2012 while driving the Arena Motorsport run team Aon Ford Focus.
He is confident ahead of rounds 5 and 6 of the season, given his current form and the form showed by the Chevrolet Cruzes at the circuit last year.
“Given our recent results I am optimistic going into Slovakia,” explains Chilton. “This track is more technical than the last two, so getting the set up spot on is important. I know the Cruzes ran well here last year with podium finishes, but the team are definitely looking to grab that first win here so let’s see what we can do.”