AutoReporter

“Modern”, “stylish” and “surprisingly affordable” are words that have been used to describe the Chevrolet Cruze, and now those very same attributes are being transferred to the race track in a new one-make race series, announced at the Autosport Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Of course, the Cruze is no stranger to on-track success, having already completed a season at World Touring Car level, taking its maiden victory in Marrakech before it had even arrived in showrooms.

The winning driver in that race was Brit Rob Huff, and it’s no surprise that Huff is one of the men behind the new Cruze Cup. The other is former racing driver Paul McMillan from Wisbech, Cambs, whose Maxtreme Racing operation is offering privateer teams and drivers the opportunity to compete in the new series.

“Our aim is to offer drivers a chance to show their skills in equally matched cars in a fairly high profile series,” said McMillan. “The fact this is a car with racing pedigree, but is little different to what’s found in showrooms makes it all the more exciting.”

The Cruze Cup consists of seven rounds of three 20-minute races at circuits across the UK, kicking off at Rockingham, Northants, on the weekend of April 10 and 11. It will be run as part of the Dunlop Sport Maxx cup, meaning the races will be aired on television and will be part of high-profile meetings at various circuits across England and Wales.

Each car is based on a standard showroom spec 1.8-litre Cruze, converted to accommodate KW racing suspension and bespoke Rimstock alloy wheels. Mechanically, they are little different to standard cars, and all Cruzes on the grid will be scrutineered to ensure* that the series is all about driver skill, as each vehicle will be identical.

The series also has its own website – www.cruzecup.com – where further information can be found, while potential participants



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