Chevrolet Secures Third Consecutive Manufacturers' Title

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Oct 25, 2012: Chevrolet has secured its third consecutive WTCC Manufacturers’ title at Suzuka after four Cruzes topped the qualifying session ahead of the Race of Japan. They then went on to celebrate in the best possible way by taking another 1-2-3 win in Race 1, and all Chevrolet drivers finishing Race 2 in the points as well.

The handful of points granted to the top five qualifiers meant that no other manufacturer could catch Chevrolet at the top of the standings, regardless of what happened in the final three rounds of the series; but Chevrolet was determined to widen its lead anyway.

In Race 1, pole-sitter Menu took his fourth win of the year after a flawless race from flag to flag. He was followed by Muller and Huff who came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The RML-run Cruzes started Race 2 from rows 4 and 5 on the grid, but still managed to gain positions at a circuit traditionally known to be challenging for overtaking. Huff, Menu and Muller finished the race in 4th, 5th and 6th.

The Chevrolet hat-trick on the podium in Race 1 was complemented by Alex MacDowall, who came in 5th overall but claimed top spot among the independent racers at the wheel of a Bamboo Engineering Cruze.

This coveted third consecutive World Champions title, is a remarkable achievement that sees the U.S. manufacturer leave an indelible mark on the history of the WTCC, the world’s top touring class series.

With the Manufacturers’ championship decided, all the attention is focused on the exciting battle for the Drivers’ crown, which has become a private affair with the Chevrolet drivers being the sole contenders for the title.

The final two rounds of the 2012 WTCC season, in China and Macau, promise to be extremely closely-fought battle between the three Chevrolet drivers.