The RML run Chevrolet team were at Valencia on Wednesday and Thursday, in the last test session before the start of the 2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship. All of the team's drivers, Rob Huff, Alain Menu and their latest recruit, Yvan Muller were present.
With the 3 cars currently being shipped out to Brazil ahead of the opening races of the season, the team took a brace of test cars, of which one was in full 2010 Specification, as well as full 2010 livery.
The team was able to complete the entire scheduled work programme, even with some rain at the start and the end of the days testing. The testing programme included set up work as well as general testing. Wednesday saw Rob Huff and Alain Menu in the cars, while Huff stepped aside to allow Muller time in the car on Thursday.
This is what the drivers had to say about the Valencia test:
Menu: “At the end of this short winter break, we can say we have made interesting progress with the Cruze, but as always, we will have to wait for qualifying of the first race to know where we and our competitors stand.”
Muller: “Testing is never enough, one would like to have endless mileage, but I am very happy with the work done. Here in Valencia the rain only came one hour from the end of day 2, so I had almost a full day at the wheel in excellent conditions and have worked with the engineers and the mechanics, which is very important when you are new in a team. We have been working on the balance and trying many set-up combinations, to see how the car reacts in a given configuration.”
Huff:”The car feels very good. Here in Valencia I have been focusing mostly on driving rather than engineering runs. I have been out on the track for runs of nine laps rather than the 3-lap runs which is usual in testing. Nine laps is almost race distance, so from a driver perspective and a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the championship, it is a very useful exercise to regain the right pace.”
Muller: “It is well known that testing is never enough, one would like to have endless mileage, but I am very happy with the work done. Here in Valencia, luckily, the rain only came one hour from the end of day 2, so I had almost a full day at the wheel in excellent conditions and have worked with the engineers and the mechanics, which is very important when you are new in a team. We have been working on the balance and trying many set-up combinations, to see how the car reacts in a given configuration. It will be very useful in the course of the season to have all this info up our shelves and PCs”.
