CTCC Race 4: Ford team - Martin Cao's results excluded

For Immediate Distribution Aug 18, 2008

After two very successful races in Shanghai, Changan Ford Racing team recently arrived at Beijing Goldenport International Circuit (BGIC) for CTCC race 4. Changan Ford Racing team was leading the 2000cc points table by 6 point and was aiming to extend the lead in race 4.

Saturday Qualifying

This weekend's Beijing qualifying was divided into two groups, with Ken Look (Team LF) and his teammate Song Jiancheng qualifying 1 st and 2 nd . Liang Daming from Hua Yang racing team qualified 3 rd . The Ford team's best grid position was in the 3 rd row, Martin Cao. Tengyi Jiang, Andy Yan and Rainey He qualified 8 th , 11 th and 13 th , respectively. The qualifying results gave the team a very tough race on Sunday.

The effect of the newly tested rear wing was affirmed and Andy Yan said:”The rear wing can give us a more steady performance.” Three Ford Focus cars used the rear wing in the qualifying session. When qualifying started at 2:40pm, Ford driver Andy Yan & Rainey He experienced technical problems and headed back to pit lane, with qualifying results short of expectations. Martin Cao did a good job by confirming his 3 rd row grid position.

Sunday Race

This Sunday's race was a tough one for the Ford team: cars No.12 & 15 experienced mechanical problems, and while the young driver Martin Cao captured 2nd with an excellent performance, his results were excluded after the post-race arbitration meeting. As a result of Cao's penalty, Rainey He wound up moving up from 6th to 5th to bring the team 4 points. Tengyi Jiang and Andy Yan retired from the race.

Sunday's race was held at 2:40pm under cloudy skies. During the race's first lap, Martin Cao moved from 5th to 3rd, with Ken Look and Song Jiancheng in the lead. After a few laps, Rainey He overtook several cars but Tengyi Jiang & Andy Yan retired from the race. In the mid-stage, Huang Yang driver Liang Daming experienced technical problems and stopped in the middle of the track at the last turn and the safety car was sent out. When the race restarted, Cao managed to overtake Song Jiancheng and was aiming to pass Ken Look. Look's gearbox experienced problems in the last few laps and Cao moved into position to pass, but didn't have enough laps to move to the lead and he settled for 2nd. What was disappointing was that as a result of arbitration, Cao's result was excluded and Rainey He received a 10-second penalty.

The Ford team indicated that they still have objections to the arbitration results and will file an appeal next week. As for now, the race results will remain and the team is prepared for a tough last two races.

For more info please go to FRDwebsite:http://www.FRDsports.com