18 Sep 2016 Chen Bing-Xiong takes unexpected victory - Circuit Hero-Two race

In the afternoon of 18 September 2016, Circuit Hero-Two race begins, the grandstand is still full of spectators. The cars on show such as Golf GTI and Honda FD2 are very familiar with the tuning fans. 38 race cars on the grid are a huge attraction. These race cars have been modified and tuned by local tuning shops and their performance have improved steadily. Their lap times around ZIC are also getting quicker and quicker. As the season finale, these drivers and cars face another challenge.

At 14:45 the red lights go out and the race begins. Front and second row starters Chen Bing-Xiong, Kuang Can-Wei, Ding Shan, Xiao Jia-Wei and Che Liang sprint out from their grid positions for the first corner. While most race cars pass through safely, #86 stops at turn 2 with white smoke from its car. The driver has no choice but to retire from the race.

Chen Bing-Xiong leads at the end of lap 1, he is already 1.5 seconds ahead. Another car retires from the race, this is part of the process of testing, racing and then re-test, exactly what Circuit Hero is about. Kuang Can-Wei, Ding Shan and Xiao Jia-Wei are in second, third and fourth positions respectively. On lap 3, because Chen Bing-Xiong exceeded his starting position on the grid, he is given a drive-through penalty. After he returns to the track, Ding Shan, Kuang Can-Wei, Xiao Jia-Wei, Che Liang and Liu Peng have passed. Chen uses his speed advantage to fight back. In just 3 laps, he is up to second place behind race leader Xiao Jia-Wei.

On lap 7, Chen Bing-Xiong inches towards Xiao Jia-Wei as he comes across backmarkers. The two drivers attack and defend, attracting the attention of the entire grandstand and everyone in the pit lane. Near the end of lap 8, Xiao Jia-Wei’s tyre blew up, he slides into the sand trap and has to retire from the race. Chen Bing-Xiong thus re-takes the lead. Behind him at turn 4, two race cars have white smoke coming out of them as they plough into the sand trap.

In the remaining time, Chen Bing-Xiong runs steadily at the front and takes the chequered flag. Kuang Can-Wei and Che Liang finish second and third respectively. After the race Chen Bing-Xiogn said, “Maybe because I changed the clutch before the race, so when I tried to press it before the start it caused the car to move. I did my best to chase down the leaders after the drive-through penalty. There were four laps left when I got to the race leader. I have enough points for the title so I settled for second and just waited for an opportunity. In the end I was lucky to win the race, that is a nice surprise.” 1st runner’s up Kuang Can-Wei, like many others, faced the problem of high oil and water temperature. He had to drive within limits to achieve his target.

For the series title, A1 class is won by Tianshi Racing’s Liu Peng. He is also a Circuit Hero-One competitor. “The race car was under more pressure than I was. The competitors in Circuit Hero-Two are very good. The Honda behind me pushed me very hard.”

Chen Bing-Xiong won A2 class title while A3 class was won by Wang Guo-Yu, A5 class title was claimed by Tan Hao-De and A6 class title went to Li Su-Bao.

With the curtain closing on Circuit Hero-Two, 2016 Circuit Hero race series is finally over. We congratulate all the drivers who took part in the series. Some of them are already planning for next season. We will look forward to 2017 when the battle is resumed.