In the first-ever participation in worldwide championship for GM’s largest brand, Chevrolet has declared its intention to race in the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), and is entering a full factory team.
The announcement comes less than a week after the news that Chevrolet would begin to market a range of cars in the UK/Western Europe built primarily by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) in Korea, a strategy already deployed in North and South America, Asia Pacific, South Africa and, most recently, Central and Eastern Europe.
New Lacetti four-door is chosen race car
Three Chevrolet Lacetti four-door saloons (formally known as the Daewoo Nubira in the UK) are being developed, built and entered into the 2005 championship series by the renowned British racing team RML (Ray Mallock Limited).
"We are excited about the launch of GM’s first FIA world championship entry with Chevrolet," said Andy Carroll, designated Managing Director of Chevrolet UK. "A strong motorsport presence, with a car developed in the UK, provides the perfect stage for a strong brand to showcase its core values to a global audience. The FIA World Touring Car Championship provides exactly the platform Chevrolet needs to achieve its goals."
"Chevrolet was looking for a product with high potential. We are delighted and honoured that a car developed and built by GM Daewoo has been chosen to spearhead the brand’s European growth," said Nick Reilly, President and CEO of GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. (GM DAT). "You need an experienced technical partner when you take on a programme like the WTCC. RML has a proven track record and expertise in motorsport, and touring cars in particular."
"We are very proud to represent Chevrolet in its first global motorsports challenge," said Ray Mallock, founder and Managing Director of RML. "We are looking forward to a very promising and successful relationship with the brand."
The WTCC replaces the current European Touring Car Championship (ETCC). It will be run in 10 countries in Europe and Latin America as well as in China.
"When we were looking for a suitable platform to showcase the fact that Chevrolet is now a true global brand, we were immediately convinced of the benefits of the FIA World Touring Car Championship," said Eric Nève, who is responsible for the 2005 Chevrolet Touring Car project. "It allows us to compete against the same brands that we compete against in the marketplace, while at the same time providing the right commercial and communications advantages. This programme demonstrates our confidence in our products and the Chevrolet brand."
The rollout of the first prototype is scheduled for December. The first actual race-going Chevrolet Touring Car will then hit the track for an extensive test programme throughout Europe. The drivers will be announced at a later stage.
"We have been talking to a number of drivers who have all the ‘ingredients’ for Chevrolet’s global racing programme," Nève continued. "We are looking for individuals who have won races and championships before and can bring a wealth of experience and understanding to the brand."
The ETCC’s decision to develop beyond Europe coincides with Chevrolet’s plans to grow GM’s global entry brand. The new WTCC will offer a comprehensive package of media coverage, reaching out to sports enthusiasts all over the world.
The WTCC is tentatively scheduled to start in Italy (Monza, 10 April), then move to France (Magny-Cours, 1 May), the United Kingdom (Silverstone, 15 May), the Czech Republic (Brno, 29 May), Mexico (26 June), Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps, 22 July), Germany (Oschersleben, 28 August), Turkey (Istanbul, 18 September) and Spain (Valencia, 2 October). The season’s finale is scheduled for the city circuit of Macau in the People’s Republic of China on 20 November.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)