HUFF WINS 1 FOR CHEVROLET
18 May 2008

Robert Huff claimed his and Chevrolet's first victory of the season, charging from fourth position to the lead in the first five laps of the race. The Briton was able to overtake one after the other the three SEAT cars of Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini and Jordi Gené and then managed to pull out and create a comfortable margin.

Tarquini (right) and Gené completed the podium (which propelled the Italian back into the championship lead), while Yvan Muller had to fight for saving his fourth position under great pressure from Jörg Müller, Nicola Larini and Andy Priaulx.

Gené took a better start and led into turn 1 (below left), from Tarquini and Y. Muller; Farfus went wide after a clash with Priaulx. The first lap-battle involved a few drivers: Porteiro, Hernández and Okyay pitted for repairs and rejoined, while Corthals (below right) and van Lagen retired.

On lap 4 Gené went wide in one corner and slipped to third behind Tarquini and Huff. A few moments later D'Aste overtook Tielemans for the Independents' Trophy lead; Engstler tried to do the same but clashed with Tielemans and spun off.

On lap 5 Huff moved to first. The leading sixtet - Huff, Tarquini, Gené, Y. Muller, J. Müller and Larini increased the gap, as Thompson (left) was lying in sixth and blocking a train of cars led by Priaulx.

Farfus, who was chasing the world champion, spun off at turn 1 was collected by Rydell.

As Huff increased his pace, Priaulx and Zanardi were able to get past Thompson when the Honda driver went wide in a corner. On lap 9 Larini stole fifth position from J. Müller, but in the final stages of the race the German retook it for good.

During the last lap Zanardi and Menu fought hard for the eighth position and the pole on the reverse grid for Race 2; eventually the Swiss had the better of his rival who outbraked himself at turn 1 and went wide.

D'Aste won the Independents' race from Tielemans and Romanov.

[View Results]

[Race 2: Chevrolet Make Double With Menu-Huff]