22 Sep 2014 Wells grabs first FMCS victory after thrilling Round 5 of racing at Zhuhai International Circuit

(Zhuhai, China – 21September 2014) Hong Kong-based Briton Dan Wells (22) of Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG secured his first Formula Masters China Series (FMCS) victory today in a thrilling conclusion to Round 5 racing at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

Wells managed to weave his way past pole-sitter, Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG teammate and FMCS Drivers Classification leader James Munro (17) byturn four of the first lap. He then held off a sustained challenge from Hong Kong’s Matthew Solomon (18) of Eurasia Motorsport before racing away to take the chequered flag in Race 3 – a rescheduled event from the rain-marred opening FMCS round in Zhuhai back in May.
The top three cars were locked in tense battles for positioning from the start to the finish of today’s race, and the packed Zhuhai grandstand roared its approval with every twist and turn.

As Wells sped clear towards the end, Solomon found himself engaged in a duel with teammate and Star Racing Academy (SRA) driver Yuan Bo, the Chinese racer finding a way past on Lap 10 and then holding on in the drive to the line to grab his first-ever podium finish.

Solomon’s third-place finish allowed him to close the gap on FMCS Drivers Classification leader Munro to just six points with one round of racing remaining.

Yuan continues to hold a healthy lead in the FMCS Best Chinese Driver Trophy, his second placing today taking him to 192 points, in front of Zen Motorsport’s Yin Hai Tao on 156 points. Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG lead the Team Classification comfortably..

It was an impressive display by the improving Yuan, who had also claimed his – and SRA’s – first-ever FMCS pole position in Friday’s second qualifying session, which had decided the grid for Saturday’s Race 15.

SRA is a multi-year programme established in 2013 by Volkswagen Group China which has been designed to identify and develop China’s top racing talents.

Today’s results ensure a thrilling finish to the FMCS title race – and to the series’second season – when action heads to Shanghai from October 17-19 for the final round.

Driver Quotes:

Dan Wells/Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG/Winner Race 3

“What a race that was. A very exciting race from the start. After the first few laps I had managed to get past James [Munro] and just got my head down and just started pushing on. Matt [Solomon] got on my back and I just had to do my very best to defend. All season we have worked really hard but just haven’t got the results. There was good progression over the weekend and a big thank-you to my whole family who are here from the United Kingdom. For them to be here to witness this makes it a fantastic day.”

Yuan Bo/Eurasia Motorsport/2nd Race 3, Best Chinese Driver

“This weekend I felt good, relaxed and confident. I’ve had good lap times and I thought I could do well. I’d like to thankthe Star Racing Academy guys, they have given me a lot of support and it makes me very happy to get on the podium for the first time.”

Matthew Solomon/Eurasia Motorsport/3rd Race 3

“It was a mixed race for us. I had a good start and had a good fight with Dan [Wells] but just couldn’t get past. Yuan [Bo] went past me and defended well so I just thought about the championship and the points. We have closed the gap to James [Munro] down now to six points and the championship is really on.”