The most high-profile newcomer to the championship, Chevrolet, may not have been able to challenge the likes of
BMW, Alfa Romeo and SEAT overall, but an improved showing over the year is a clear indication that the Lacetti could be something of a force to be reckoned with next season.
Having started the year at the back of the field, Chevrolet were starting to challenge for podiums at the final race of the year, with Alain Menu even managing to grab a third place, only for a technical infringement forcing him to be disqualified. Still, a fourth and fifth in Macau was clearly evident of Chevrolet’s rapid progress through the year.
Nicola Larini and Alain Menu showed that experience counts at a number of races, scoring consistently towards the end of the year, the Italian taking that fourth place, with the Swiss driver managing a best of fifth place, while Rob Huff may have ended the year with just the three points he earned in Mexico - but he will go down in history as scoring the teams first top eight position. The young Brits fourth place on the grid in Spain was also the best qualifying effort of the year for the series newcomers.
The fifth manufacturer in the championship Ford experienced a difficult year but one that showed promise towards the end of the season. Along with Chevrolet, the Hotfiel squad struggled to make its new car, the Focus, work initially but following a lengthy break between Imola and Spa, emerged as the stars of the German round at Oschersleben.
However, having set the pace in testing, a disappointing qualifying session prevented Thomas Klenke and Michael Funke from challenging in the first race. Their disappointment was heightened further when Klenke retired from a potential fifth place in the second race.
