Photo: CHEVROLET / Carlos Matos

BMW and Chevrolet testing in Portugal

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BMW and Chevrolet-teams were present at a rainy Algarve-track in Portugal earlier this week. BMW had all five drivers present, testing the 2009-specification 320si which includes, among other things, a face lift.
“We focused on settings and basic work on the cars. The new cars are not yet in their final specification,” said Friedhelm Nohl, BMW Motorsport project manager, to Autosport.nl.

The Schnitzer-team and BMW Team Italy had 2009-specification cars while the cars of Andy Priaulx (RBM) and Sergio Hernandez (BMW Team Spain) had 2008 specification cars during the test.

BMW-independents team Wiechers Sport had Stefano D’Aste and BTCC-driver Colin Turkington in their cars during the test. The second driver in Wiechers Sport is still unconfirmed, but Turkington will most likely not join the team despite his presence during this test due to his recent signing with team RAC for the BTCC-season 2009.

Chevrolet were present with Robert Huff in the new Cruze-model and completed many laps around the 4692 meters long track. Tempus Sports and Chevrolet Team Sweden joined the Chevrolet-factory team during the test days.

Harry Vaulkhard drove the Tempus Sport Chevrolet Lacetti while Norwegian Thomas Schie drove the Swedish Lacetti.