25 Apr 2021 Rookies aplenty with fine performances – 2021 Circuit Hero Time Attack activity

In the new year a new start, after a long 4 months wait, on 24-25 April, 2021 Circuit Hero Time Attack activity is held at Zhuhai International Circuit. There are 9 classes with more than 90 cars taking part. Everyone can gather at the circuit for a family weekend for on track fun and exchanges.

Today the weather is fine with suitable temperatures. In the morning practice, all the drivers, whether rookies or veterans, show good forms. They appear well prepared for the timed session in the afternoon.

At 13:50, CH1, CH2 and CH3 combined timed session is held. Zhong Bin drives his Honda Civic around in 1:55.829, setting the fastest lap of the session, with a 3 seconds advantage. Then #16 and #30 begin a battle for second and third places. The gap between them is just 0.17 second. At half distance, #27 spills out a lot of white smoke at T9, it then returns to the pit lane. After this there is no change in the order. At the end of timed practice #30 is disqualified for failing scrutineering. In the end, CH1 top 3 are Xu Shao-Xiong, Li Jia-Qiang and Zhong Yuan-Qiang; CH2 top 3 are Deng Jing-Liang, Yao Gui-Ping and Luo Hao-Xuan; CH3 top 3 are Zhong Bin, Zhang Xiao-Shi and Chen Lang.

Following right up is the combined timed session for CH6 and CH7 classes. After two laps, Li Yi-Xin, driving a RS3, sets a 1:51.014 and goes top of the timing screens with a big margin. All drivers are going quicker and quicker, by now there are already 5 drivers have got down to within 2 minutes. At half distance, Wu Jing-Ye sets a 1:57.102 in his STi and moves up to 3rd overall and third in CH7 class. In the last 6 minutes, #51 loses control and goes into the gravel at T11, the race officials show the red flag and the session is stopped. After 7 minutes the timed session resumes, Zeng Xiang-Jie takes his third place overall back in his S3 on his last lap. In the end, CH6 class top 3 are Chen Xin, You Zhao-Liang and Xu Jia-Zhi; CH7 class top 3 are Li Yi-Xin, Zhu Hai-Qiang and Zeng Xiang-Jie.

Next up is the CH-A class timed session. On lap 2, Chen Ye-Chong sets a blistering 1:45.543 in his GT3 to put a tight grip on the class lead. At half distance, second placed Li Di-Ri takes his GT3 around in 1:45.607 to settle into second place. In the last 4 minutes, Mai Hao-Yuan storms around in his GTR around in 1:45.005 to get up to second place. In the end, CH-A class top 3 are Chen Ye-Chong, Mai Hao-Yuan and Li Di-Ri.

After CH-A class, CH-B and CH-C class combined test session is on. Luo Zhen-Jie takes his M2C around in 1:48.102 to take provisional first place. On lap 3, #111 goes off into the gravel at T11 and the race officials show the red flag to stop the session. 7 minutes later, the timed session resumes, #103 goes off into the gravel at T7 and prompts the race officials to show the red flag again. Another 8 minutes later the session is resumed again. Zhang Ren, driving an M4, goes around in 1:49.417 and moves up to second place overall. After that the order remains unchanged. CH-B class top 3 are Chen Jia-Hui, Wu Zuo-dong, Zhang Tuo-Hao; CH-C top 3 are Luo Zhen-Jie, Zhang Ren and Wang Zhuo-Yu. 

CH-D class timed session is the final session of the day. After two laps, Pang yu-ping drives his M2C around in 1:50.187 to take the top position. Pang Yi-Wen is only 0.001 second behind. In the last 7 minutes, Pang Yi-Wen’s M4 zooms around the circuit in 1:49.158 to topple Pang Yu-Ping. In the end, CH-D class top 3 are Peng Yi-Wen, Pang Yu-Ping and Shao Hong-Hua.

The first Circuit Hero Time Attack of 2021 is over. The second round will be held in June. Where to go for fun in summer? The answer is of course the race circuit. See you at round 2 of Circuit Hero Time Attack in June at Zhuhai International Circuit!