12 Dec 2011 2011 Circuit Hero 500 km Race qualifying

At 1:10 pm, Circuit Hero 500 km Race's qualifying session kicks-off at Audi Zhuhai International Circuit. During the qualifying session, the air temperature is only about 15 degree C, but with warm sunshien, it feels more like 20 degree C.

This is the second time that Circuit Hero 500 km Endurance race is run. Last year's race only had fewer than 10 entries. But this year, entries gone up to 21 teams. This is solid proof that endurance racing's popularity is improving in the region.

Among the cars entered, apart from the more common Honda DC5, there are also Nissan S14, Toyota Vios, Mazda MX-5...etc. In addition, the less common Atom Ariel and Ginetta have also appeared on the entry list.

In the qualifying session, the fastest time was set by Kenneth Ma and Frank Yu's no. 13 Renault. The duo's Renault Megane Trophy race car managed a 1:44.682 lap time. Frank Yu states that the car is still very new and considering that this is an endurance race, they have not driven it to its full potential. About strategy, he said as their current calculations showed that they need an extra half tank of fuel to complete the race, they need to re-calculate and won't have an decision until Sunday morning.

Track Torque racing, who finished second overall last year, is back this year with their no. 7 Caterham Super 7. The three drivers are Bill O'Brien, Nigel Farmer and Tommy Chan. This year the team will once again raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Hong Kong. The donors' names are already on the car and some of the funds raised will be dependent on the car's completed mileage in the race. Last year the team successfully raised HK$400,000 for Ronald McDonald House Hong Kong.

The 2011 Circuit Hero 500 km race will start at 2pm on Sunday (11 December) afternoon.

Qualifying results: