China TCC: Changan Ford Shanghai Saturday report

Changan Ford racing team confirmed dream start

Tengyi Jiang, the groom-to-be, grabbed pole!

The China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) came back to Shanghai Tianma Circuit (STC) after 4-months' season break. Changan Ford racing team wowed the public with a hat trick--Tengyi Jiang grabbed pole in 2000 cc (1:08.556) while his teammates Rainey He and Martin Cao qualified 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Andy Yan was 8th. With 3 cars on the front, Changan Ford Racing team will enjoy an unquestionable dream start on Sunday.

The qualifying was divided into 2 groups and started at 2:00 p.m. sharp. Changan Ford racing team was in group 1. Rain was anticipated and the weather was very unsettled. During the first session, sun came out brought up the track temperature and the laptimes got better towards the end of the session. Tengyi Jiang, Rainey He and Martin Cao were top 3 from the very beginning. After tyre change, Rainey He took the lead; Jiang set 1:08.5 as soon as he hit the track after tyre change and led the session to the end; Martin Cao also set 1:08+ after tyre change. The final results came as 3 Changan Ford drivers qualified top 3 in 2000cc class with clear lead (more than 0.5 seconds). Andy Yan on the other hand, surprised us last year at STC starting from behind and finished winner in the end. Thus, Yan has the potential to be the biggest surprise of the weekend if he bring his "old style".

With Changan Ford drivers clinching top 3 on Saturday, the team set another CTCC record--3 teammates attend after race press-con. "I would like to thank my team and mechanics for setting up such a perfect race car this week. This is my 2nd CTCC season and I quit a lot 'formula' moves & find myself suits better in touring car races. We will sure to enjoy a brilliant start tomorrow and we have confident to win the race." At the end of the press-con, Rainey He broke the wedding news of Pole-sitter Tengyi Jiang's to the public and indicated that the team will wear special stickers to celebrate this.

-source: frd