(Nov.18.2012)

One of the main events of the 59th Macau Grand Prix, The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) started as ”GUIA Race of Macau”.

The first race and the second race were the final rounds of the WTCC and would decide the World Champion.

Yvan MULLER (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) who follows Robert HUFF (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) in the world championship, started from 2nd on the grid.

He overtook HUFF just after the race started. After top 6 cars ran through Lisboa bend, some cars crashed into the tire barrier and blocked the road.

Then all the cars after 7th had to stop for a while. Soon the blocked cars were removed and red flag was not needed.

HUFF took over MULLER again at Lisboa bend after 4 laps, but just after that, he happened to brush a wall.
He went back to the pit lane by himself, and had to retire from the race.

MULLER kept the lead and won the race, and Alain MENU (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) was 2nd.
Tiago MONTEIRO (Honda Civic WTCC) got his first podium even though this was only their 3rd round since the Honda Civic joined WTCC.

The 2nd race started after 15 minutes repair time. The 2nd race was held as “standing start” formula, and then rear drive cars such as BMW have an advantage at the start.

Norbert MICHELISZ (BMW 320 TC) leapt up to the top from 4th on the grid. Alex MACDOWALL (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) took over MICHELISZ for the lead after 2 laps, and soon, in the next lap, MENU passed MACDOWELL for 1st position from 8th on the grid.

At Mandarin bend on the 4th lap MULLER pushed MACDOWALL’s tail a bit and MACDOWALL crashed heavily into the wall.

The safety car was needed for some laps and just after the safety car went back to the pit lane, MICHELISZ and Pepe ORIOLA (SEAT Leon WTCC) clashed at Lisboa bend.
Then the safety car came on track again again, and the race finished in 12 laps with the safety car.

MENU won the final race of 2012 WTCC, HUFF was 2nd, and MULLER was 3rd. Chevorlet works team had a monopoly on the podium. HUFF triumphantly became the world champion.

Hong Kong driver Daryl O’Young (Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T) finished top in the YOKOHAMA Trophy with overall 5th position in both races.

He became the hero of the local area. MICHELISZ got the laurels by winning the prestigious YOKOHAMA Trophy this year.