MANILA, Philippines -- Chevrolet bagged its second consecutive title of the Manufacturers’ Championship in the World Touring Car Championship last Sunday.

In a warm and exciting weekend of racing at Valencia, the Cruzes and the RML team finished the job with another superb team result as Yvan Muller and Alain Menu made a 1-2 in Race 1 and Yvan Muller, Rob Huff and Alain Menu took a 1-2-3 in Race 2.

With the Constructor’s Title in the bag, it is also certain that the Driver’s Title will go to one of the three Chevrolet drivers since the battle is still open to the trio.

After his double success in Spain, Muller has now taken the lead from Huff and is 16 points ahead of the Brit and 80 ahead of Alain Menu.

In Race 1, after battling with Tarquini in the very initial stages, Muller won ahead of Menu, who emerged well from the fight for the runner-up position. Huff took fifth after being trapped in the turmoil of the first few corners, saving some precious points.

The Brit was third but lost a number of positions when he was sent off track after Monteiro hit Menu, sending the Swiss into the back of Rob’s car.

Race 2 seemed promising for the BMWs, as three of them led most of the race, with the Cruzes right behind, but an incident between Coronel and Villa opened the way for Muller and a spin from Michelisz in the very last corner which allowed Huff and Menu to secure the rest of the podium.

“First of all, a very big and heartfelt ‘well done’ to all the guys for a well deserved second Manufacturers’ title!” Muller said. “For the rest, it is obviously a very good weekend for me, as I arrived here six points behind Rob and I am leaving with a 16-point advantage.

Still, nothing is done and I will have to stay completely focused,” Muller added.

Menu, for his part said, “I am very pleased for the team and very pleased with my results, especially after the disappointment in qualifying. A second and a third is really good, considering where I was coming from.”

“In Race 1, Monteiro hit me from behind a couple of times at the very beginning and I couldn’t avoid bumping Rob’s car. I am sorry for him, but there is nothing I could do to avoid that, as the TV images show very clearly. When they told me on the radio I had received a drive through for that, I couldn’t believe it but was very pleased when the stewards reviewed the decision soon after. Contrary to what is customary, Race 2 was much tougher, maybe because of the warm weather, but towards the end the car got better, with a lot of drive.”

From Valencia, the WTCC cars and equipment start the long journey by sea to Asia, where the last three rounds will be dominated by the fight for the Drivers’ championship. (Edited by Anjo Perez)