12 Oct 2013 Clio R9 R10 Qualifying: Byron Tong and Tommy Chan snatched poles for season finale

Hong Kong driver Byron Tong storms to pole position for 2013 Clio Cup China Series R9, while R10 pole went to Champion Tommy Chan.

Friday’s first qualifying session saw Byron Tong quickly went to 1st position just minutes into the session. He then improved his time to 1:57.442 and made himself unreachable. His closest rival, Yang Xu, was more than seven-tenth slower and had to settle for 2nd. Series returner Kenneth Lau came 3rd, while the just-crowned Champion Tommy Chan was 4th. Kenneth Ma came just ahead of other Hong Kong driver Yu Kam Cheong with a 5th place.

Ye Xingping recovered from a spin in the morning practice session and got 7th, ahead of newcomer Alan Lee. Huang Yi got ninth, while Benson Wong and Hu Cheng Wei brought up the field for R9.

The second qualifying session on Saturday morning was even more dramatic with R9 pole-winner Byron Tong caused a red flag at the start of the session. He will need to start at the back for R10. Pole position, meanwhile, went to Tommy Chan as he set the best lap of 1:57.757; despite spinning off in his out-lap.

Kenneth Lau and Yu Kam Cheong continued his good performance over the weekend and will start R10 in 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Yang Xu got 4th, while Alan Lee 5th. Huang Yi outpaced Ye Xingping for 6th, with Hu Cheng Wei and Benson Wong will start in 8th and 9th position on Sunday.

R9 will be held on Saturday afternoon, while R10 will start on Sunday.