30 Jun 2017 Mixed up qualifying result, unpredictable race tomorrow - Circuit Hero-Two qualifying

As Circuit Hero-Two has been promoted to FIA zone international race status, its influence has grown with it. The number of participating drivers have reached a new high. Qualifying has to be separated into two sessions. A1 and A2 classes will run first, then A3 and A5 classes will have their turn.

Just 5 minutes after the start of the A1 and A2 session, #66 has a massive oil leak, resulting in a lot of oil on track and at the pit lane exit. The track has become very dangerous and the race officials show the red flag to stop practice. Many drivers have not yet make their runs. They now have to wait for the track to be cleared. Qualifying is stopped for 33 minutes before it is restarted.

By now the drivers have just 6 minutes to set a time. After two laps, the fastest driver is #55 Shaanxi Tianshi Racing driver Jiao Peng, he is the only one who can break into 2 minutes. Hot favourite #18 Foshan Xiongji Racing Chen Bing-Xiong is driving conservatively and only achieves 2:08. It seems he is quite badly affected by the rain, in addition the track is still rather oily and he cannot make the most of his car’s advantage.

6 minutes running time is soon over. Many drivers can only manage one lap and are not able to fully release their potential. Chen Bing-Xiong is in provisional 7th position.

After the end of the A1 and A2 classes qualifying session, the A3 and A5 classes emerge for their runs. After seeing what happened in the first session, the drivers grab their chances and try to make as many laps as possible. Thankfully the rain has eased up and there is less water on track. A3 class #6 driver Kang Zhe-Wei takes provisional pole position with 2:07. This is faster than Chen Bing-Xiong’s 2:08. #99 He Shi-Le then takes his Civic to second place in A3 class with 2:08. But the weather conditions are making things very difficult, many drivers go off the circuit at various corners. Those remaining on track must be very cautious. Some driver return to the pits for adjustments to prepare for a late charge.

With 4 minutes remaining, half the field are in the pits. #6 Kang Zhe-Wei makes another fastest lap 2:04 to be on the provisional pole. Go Kart Racing’s Qiu Kai-Wen, former Pan Delta safety car driver, manages a 2:07 in his #29 Honda Civic to put himself on pole position of A5 class and second overall.

After A3 and A5 class qualifying session is over, the final grid order is set. #55 Shaanxi Tianshi Racing’s Jiao Peng is on pole position, #77 Boom Gear Racing Kuang Can-Wei is second on the grid. A3 class #6 Corner Speed Racing’s Kang Zhe-Wei is third with 2:04. A1 class #21 TRC Racing’s Situ Yong-Xin is fourth.

Qualifying session in rainy condition has limited the drivers performances, especially for rear-wheel drive race cars. If the weather condition improves tomorrow, the high power rear-wheel drive cars will be able to perform and bring us an exciting race.