Chevrolet signs Menu
Chevrolet has signed up double British touring car champion Alain Menu as its first driver in the all-new World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) that will replace the European Touring Car Championship in 2005
Menu has been out of a regular drive since being dropped by the Opel DTM squad to make way for F1 refugee Heinz-Harald Frentzen over the winter. The Swiss star had been linked to a drive with BTCC manufacturers Vauxhall to replace the WTCC-bound James Thompson, who will has signed a deal with Alfa Romeo.
But it seems Menu has opted to go for the new series with Chevrolet, whose three-car, three-year programme will be run by touring car specialists Ray Mallock Ltd and will use Chevrolet's Lacetti (formerly a Daewoo Nubira) four-door saloon.
"We want to be on the podium in the first year and by 2006 we must be able to win," Menu said. "I want to become world champion with Chevrolet."
Eric Nève, who is responsible for the race programme within Chevrolet Europe, said: "We are extremely happy that Alain will drive for us. His skills will be an important factor in developing our race car and his vast experience will give us a great benchmark for how well our car needs to
perform."
The team has yet to confirm its other two drivers.
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