Huff makes Chevrolet happy in Practice 2

Britain’s Rob Huff put Chevrolet on top of the timesheets in Monza with a lap time of 2:01.685 during second practice ahead of Andy Priaulx (2:01.755) and Gabriele Tarquini (2:01.893).

After Farfus’ BMW 320si in yesterday’s test and Tarquini’s SEAT León TDI in this morning’s P1 had led a session apiece so far, Chevrolet claimed the top spot with most of the action happening in the final minutes of the session.

After Chevrolet took the early advantage with Alain Menu, Tarquini responded to top the times but with three minutes left to run, Priaulx put in a great lap in his BMW 320si to demote the Italian to second.

As the seconds ticked down, Huff improved from fourth and held on to his advantage until the chequered flag to finish just 0.070-seconds ahead of the Guernsey driver. Menu (2:01.916) finished fourth ahead of Chevrolet team mate Yvan Muller (2:02.154).

Fredy Barth (2:02.211) impressed to finish sixth overall and top rookie ahead of Norbert Michelisz (2:02.302). BMW Team RBM’s Augusto Farfus (2:02.334) ended eighth ahead of Tiago Monteiro (2:02.355) and Danish rookie Michel Nykjær (2:02.372).

Moroccan racer Mehdi Bennani was top of the Independents recording his quickest time of 2:02.602, before stopping on the track with technical problems.

Sergio Hernández had a troubled session spending most the first half in the garage with drive-shaft problems. He rejoined the track only to have further problems with the clutch and differential.

Tom Coronel had engine problems with his SEAT León TDI so ended a disappointing last having not recorded a quick lap.