Rob Huff sets early pace in Japan

Chevrolet’s Rob Huff ended on top of the timesheets as the penultimate event of the WTCC 2010 season got underway this afternoon in Japan. Huff emerged as the fastest with 10-minutes to go but improved again to set a final time of 1:38.059 around the 3.7-kilometre Okayama International Circuit.

His teammate and current championship leader, Yvan Muller (1:38.698) was second quickest. Following a win apiece last year, the BMWs looked strong yet again with Andy Priaulx (1:38.779) ending the 30-minute test session third using a 6-speed sequential gearbox for the first time. His team-mate, Augusto Farfus (1:3.028) was fifth.

Chevrolet’s Alain Menu (1:38.794) was fourth with SR-Sport team-mates Tiago Monteiro (1:39.381) and Tom Coronel (1:39.453) sixth and seventh, despite the Dutchman locking up and running through the gravel at Turn 1 early in the session.

Darryl O’Young (1:39.503) was impressive in his Chevrolet Lacetti finishing the best independent in eighth position overall. Robert Dahlgren also had a good showing recording a 1:39.510 in his Volvo C30 to be placed ninth.

Michel Nykjær (1:39.628) rounded out the top ten to end the day as best rookie.
With a season record of 27 cars out on track, Yukinori Taniguchi (1:39.904) was quickest of the four Japanese drivers, clocking the in 15th best lap.

Reigning champion Gabriele Tarquini (1:40.674) finished 17th, losing running time after suffering a front left puncture. After he took a shortcut to the garages across the paddock the team got him back out for the final minutes.