Heroes & Villains - WTCC Marrakech

A new blog post we will try to do after each FIA WTCC round, that highlights our winners and losers from each race meeting. Be that drivers, teams, tracks or officials, there's nowhere to hide from The Wastegate's WTCC Heroes & Villains. We start with the 2013 Morocco round of the World Touring Car Championship in Marrakech.

Heroes

Pepe Oriola

His first race victory in the WTCC. Not only that, but he defended like a demon, showing 100% commitment to keep the two RML Chevrolet's of Muller and Chilton at bay. Well done Pepe.

Michel Nykjaer

Another first time WTCC winner. It takes real guts to overtake a determined Gabrielle Tarquini. A long time coming for Michel, however. Quick in the Seat in the years gone by, but never lucky. Now he has the car of choice and an ex-Chevy Sweden works team behind him. Maybe now people will take notice of the quiet Dane.

Villains

The F.I.A

We all know that the Marrakech track is a but rubbish. This year it actually gave some very exciting races, but safety, high curbs and concrete walls were all major concerns. It seems the WTCC goes there because there is money, which is fine, to a degree. This year matters seem to have come to a head. We'll see if the WTCC returns in 2014.

The Blue Flag Company

For seemingly forgetting to produce any blue flags. Home driver or not, how Mehdi Bennani was able to drive around at the front of the pack despite being a lap down, was a joke.

Tom Chilton

Driving into the back of team mate Muller in Race 1 and having to retire. Trying to overtake Muller in Race 2 at an impossible part of the track. Getting past Nash in Race 2 using a braille technique. Tom can keep up with Yvan this year and is in the best possible position to do so with a top car and a great team, but a shabby showing in Morocco.