Alain Menu overcame treacherous conditions to score Chevrolet's first World Touring Car win at a very wet
Brands Hatch after Andy Priaulx threw away his lead and the chance of a home win.
With heavy rain falling throughout the second race of the weekend, Menu made the most of his experience round the Brands Hatch circuit to keep his Lacetti planted on circuit and cruise home to a famous maiden victory over the four SEATs of Rickard Rydell, James Thompson, Gabriele Tarquni and Yvan Muller.
Having originally cited the British round as being his and Chevrolet's best chance for at least a podium finish, Menu looked on course to be fulfilling his intention when he slotted into second place at the first corner behind pole sitter Andy Priaulx, the Brit managing his customary fast start to ease into the lead.
Just behind though the equally fast starting Chevrolet of Rob Huff saw his luck run out when he out-braked himself at Druids, sliding straight on and out of fourth place.
Together with Diago Romanini spinning off further round the lap at Westfield, the safety car made an appearance to clear the stricken Chevrolet and
BMW, leaving Priaulx to lead round Menu, Tarquni, Rydell, Thompson, Dirk Muller, race one winner Yvan Muller and Peter Terting.
However at the restart, Priaulx's dash to the first corner, which after three laps behind the safety car was now trickier than ever, caused him to slide off into the gravel trap, the BMW managing to scramble back onto the circuit, albeit in tenth place.
Menu therefore inherited a lead he would no relinquish, converting Chevrolet's first time leading a WTCC race into a stunning victory, the Swiss driver taking the fastest lap of the race just to prove his pace around the Kent circuit.
Just behind, Rydell managed to force his way past Tarquini, a move that was later repeated by Thompson, the Brit taking his second podium of the day despite losing his power steering whilst behind the safety car.
