WTCC @ BRANDS HATCH // MENU'S HUFF & PUFF

Switzerland’s Alain Menu put Chevrolet on pole position for tomorrow’s WTCC race one at Brands Hatch. Pipped team mate Robert Huff by just 0.097 seconds with his time of 1:33.521.  The veteran of many British Touring Car races here was able to squeeze the best out of his Cruze with his trademark smooth style.  Speaking after qualifying, he said it was a, “Nice place to be.”  It was extra good news for the Swiss, who has struggled this year, because championship leader Yvan Muller could manage no better than 11th... [read more]

Another Briton, Andy Priaulx, was third for BMW, and practice pace setter Augusto Farfus (having topped the times in every previous session) was fourth.

Rickard Rydell and Gabriele Tarquini, BTCC contemporaries of Menu, were fifth and sixth in the Seat TDIs, while Nicola Larini made sure all the Chevrolets will start in the top ten with seventh spot.  Jorg Muller’s time was good enough for eighth, but he has a five place grid penalty for a pitlane infringement.  Tiago Monteiro was ninth, with surprise package (driving a prize drive Seat) was Norbert Michelisz in tenth, who went on to win the Seat Leon Eurocup race directly afterward. 

In the day’s main support race, Formula 2’s UK debut featured reasonably close racing, with Phillip Eng of Austria winning the 28 lap race despite a safety car interruption.  Andy Soucek was second, and Henry Surtees third, on a day of qualifying controversies.  The qualifying sessions for both races (one on Friday, one earlier in the day on Saturday) were marred by a number of red flags and also black flags, many drivers being given penalties for using too much run off at the exit of the first turn, Paddock Hill bend.  The drivers were none too pleased.

Photo: Neil Tozer & Jake Yorath
Editorial: Jake Yorath