RML
Team News
Chevrolet Confirms WTCC and RML to 2010.
Issued October 2nd 2007
Chevrolet
Confirms WTCC Participation for a Further Three Years
Increased
sales of Chevrolet cars have been directly attributable
to the brand's global motorsports programme, of which participation
in the World Touring Car Championship is a significant part.
As a result Chevrolet Europe has re-signed with UK-based
Ray Mallock Limited to extend the current agreement and
WTCC commitment beyond the 2007 season. Under the agreement
the "works" Chevrolets cars will be entered in
all rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championships in
2008, 2009 and 2010.
Since the start of the WTCC programme at the beginning of
the 2005 season, the Chevrolet Lacetti’s – driven
by Rob Huff, Nicola Larini and Alain Menu – have gone
from strength to strength; from occasional point scorers
in 2005 to regular race winners this season.
Chevrolet’s success on the racetracks in the four
corners of the world is also reflected by the sales figures
in the European marketplace. In 2005 – the first year
of the introduction of the Chevrolet brand in all the markets
– some 295,000 cars were sold. One year later, a 15.8%
increase translated into a total sale of 342,000 cars, while
figures for the current year to date suggest that a 33%
increase over the 2006 figures has already been reached.
Wayne
Brannon, Executive in Charge Chevrolet Europe, expressed
his satisfaction: “At Chevrolet Europe
we have been very pleased with the way our WTCC programme
has been received by the importers and dealers in the markets.
The great results the RML team and their drivers have achieved
on the track have helped boosting the momentum of Chevrolet
in the European marketplace. The way the championship has
developed and matured over the past three seasons has also
helped us in reaching our decision. Over the next three
years we will continue to use the synergy between racing
success and the product, while at the same time we will
use our success to reach new communities beyond the traditional
motorsports fans and media. ”
Eric Nève, Motorsports Manager Chevrolet Europe,
responded: “The extension of the current agreement
should be seen as a commitment by Chevrolet Europe to the
FIA World Touring Car Championship, but also as the result
of the constant increase of performance of our cars due
to the excellent work of RML. The team has worked very hard
over the past three seasons, each time finding steps forward,
and will continue to do so over the coming winter as we
prepare the 2008 campaign.”
“Everyone at RML is delighted to confirm this continuation
of our motorsport partnership with General Motors, "
said Ray Mallock, Chief Executive and founder of RML. "This
will take us to nineteen consecutive years of working with
GM. It is very rewarding to be closely involved in this
important time for the Chevrolet brand and to be a part
of its success.”
RML
Group Background
The RML Group comprises seven divisions; Motorsport, Automotive,
Engines, Events, Historic, X-Power and X-Pro. Based in Northamptonshire,
England the company’s 4,300 square metre facility
includes full design, development, manufacturing and operational
support for automotive engineering projects.
RML has achieved success in a diverse range of motorsport
categories including GT/sportscars, touring cars, rally
cars, single seaters and oval speedway cars. In 2006 RML
teams are competing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship,
the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series.
RML work together with a number of specialist official suppliers
and technical partners, including Autoglym,
Beissbarth
UK, DuPont
Refinish and Chicago
Pneumatic.
More
information about the FIA World Touring Car Championship
from www.fiawtcc.com
More information on RML is available at www.rmlmallock.co.uk.
More information on Team Chevrolet is available at www.chevroleteurope.com
