PAC: Series Guangdong round 9 notes

Oon takes maiden Formula BMW Pacific win.

Guangzhou, China - Formula BMW Pacific Junior Jordan Oon (AUS/20/E-Rain Racing) scored his maiden series victory in Round 9, finishing 8.541 seconds ahead of Rookie Oscar Tunjo (COL/Meritus), in the third of this weekend's four races at the 2.820km Guangdong International Circuit.

Behind Tunjo was rookie S.H. Tom Mun (KOR/20/E-Rain Racing), taking his first podium position, having started from 15th on the grid and working his way through the field over the 18-lap race.

Although Oon scored full points in Round 4, due to the participation of guest drivers, Round 9 was the first time Oon stood atop the podium.

Richard Bradley (SIN/19/Eurasia Motorsport) continues to lead the Drivers Classification and Rookie Cup standings, but after engine problems on the opening lap, he was unable to finish the race. Oon is now 28 points adrift of the Singapore-based Briton, with Tunjo a further 13 points behind.

In contrast to the wet conditions for Rounds 7&8, Round 9 was clear and sunny. The field of 16 got off to a furious start, with pole-sitter Bradley getting away cleanly with Oon, starting from second, hot on his heels. Bradley's retirement on that same lap gave Oon the lead, with Calvin Wong (MAS/18/PETRONAS Mofaz Racing) second and Tunjo third.

Meanwhile, further down the field, there was contact between Ryan Ritchie (MAS/17/PETRONAS Mofaz Racing), Amirrul Khirudin (MAS/19/PETRONAS Mofaz Racing) and Afiq Ikhwan (MAS/19/Meritus.) at Turn 1, ending Ikhwan's race. Mun immediately began his charge towards a podium finish, and by the end of the opening lap was up to ninth.

Oon quickly pulled out a gap from Wong, with the Malaysian forced to defend from a quick Tunjo, who got by on Lap 6.

Lap 10, saw Mun take Nabil Jeffri (MAS/16/Eurasia Motorsport) to go fifth. Formula BMW Pacific Junior Jesse Dixon (AUS/18/Atlantic Racing Team) was up to seventh, having started from last on the grid. However, a coming together with Jeffri on Lap 11 saw his race end early. Jeffri crossed the line seventh overall.

After getting by Pasin Lathouras (THA/16/Meritus) on Lap 11 to go fourth, Mun set his sights on Wong and the final podium place. Two laps later, the pair were side-by-side through the first five turns, before Mun made his move.

Formula BMW Pacific Driver Quotes:

Jordan Oon, winner, top Rookie and top Formula BMW Pacific Junior, Round 9: "It was really good race and I'm excited for my first win. The start was pretty hectic, but we managed to get through okay. I was focused on catching up to Richard, but then something happened to his car and we caught a break there. From there, everything went fairly smoothly. Due to all the people battling it out behind me, we caught a break and didn't have to push too hard."

Oscar Tunjo, 2nd, Round 9: "I feel really happy to be back on the podium, especially because we had problems in qualifying. It was a hard start, everyone was trying to overtake other people and I made a little contact with a car, but I kept pushing. I overtook Calvin Wong and then pushed to make a little gap and keep second."

SH Tom Mun, 3rd, Round 9: "I'm really happy, my first podium and coming from the back of the field. It was a busy start for me as well. I had a bit of contact with a driver, I'm not sure who, but then I just spent the race overtaking on each lap. I had a test at this track last week so I felt confident in my experience and I wanted to push hard."

-source: bmw.asia