NEWS [ 886 ] - 9 Dec 2004
CHEVROLET TO HIT THE TRACK IN JANUARY

Build of the three Chevrolet Lacetti FIA WTCC cars is continuing at a steady pace at RML in Wellingborough, Great Britain. Drivers Alain Menu from Switzerland, Nicola Larini from Italy and Rob Huff from Great Britain, will get the chance to start testing the Lacetti for the first time in Spain in early January 2005.
“We have had no particular technical hurdles to overcome, as the production car provides a very good basis to start from. The engine, chassis and suspension layout of the Lacetti all fit well with the FIA Super 2000 regulations,” team principal Ray Mallock said. “The FIA Super 2000 regulations do not provide a huge amount of scope for development from the standard production car. We have studied the regulations carefully and co-operated with the FIA where necessary to ensure that we can maximise the cars potential. During the season the team will concentrate on developing the set-up and tuning of the suspension and aerodynamics which will include work on dampers, springs, roll bars and differentials. Engine development will of course also continue throughout the season.”
Although aerodynamically there is little room to play with, the engineers at RML already spent a substantial amount of time in the windtunnel and will continue to do so throughout the season. Chassis 1 and 2 will commence testing in early February, while chassis 3 will join the other cars in March. Each car takes some 300 hours to build in a process which starts with a bare shell. The roll cage is fitted to the shell, after which it is painted. Next come the main pipework and wiring looms, fitting of the engine and gearbox followed by the suspension. After the radiator and interior fixtures are installed, the body panels are added to be shell, the braking system is bled and the livery put on. With wheels and the geometry set on the flat patch the car is ready to go testing.
As the date of the shake down of the test car approaches fast, excitement is building within GM DAT. “We are all very excited about the programme,” said Stephen Clark, Managing Director Product Engineering of GM DAT in South Korea. “It is the first time any Korean brand will be represented at a world championship level.“