Changan Ford Racing Team CTCC 2000cc R4: Martin Cao keeps on winning

The China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) Race 4 rocked in Chengdu International Circuit (CDIC) again. The Changan Ford racing team performed well with Martin taking pole position, Tengyi Jiang, Andy Yan and Rainey He qualified 3rd, 4th, 5th respectively.

Saturday Qualifying

At the beginning of qualifying, Rainey He got off to a good start and ran well with Billy Zhang of Wah Yuan team followed closely behind. Martin Cao started a little late from the pit trying to avoid the traffic. In the middle of qualifying, the four drivers of Changan Ford racing team were occupying the top four positions of the time sheet.

Tengyi Jiang moved up into 1st place after a few laps. After coming into the pit to make a final adjustment, Martin immediately set the fastest lap time of 1：39.182. Although he complained about the extra weight all the time, but with the assistance of the engineering team, he took the pole position once again.

Sunday Race

Facing the ever-changing weather in Chengdu, Changan Ford racing technical team decided to put Tengyi Jiang and Andy Yan on natural setting and Martin Cao and Rainey He were put on dry set up for the race. It was also decided that all four cars will start the race with slick tires. After the warm up laps, three KIA cars had to come in to change back to Slicks after making the wrong decision of starting with rain tires.

As the race went off, Martin Cao started well and managed to keep the lead with Billy Tsang who qualified 2nd following closely behind him. Since Martin is carrying so much more weight as a result of his win in R3, it was very obvious that his top speed at the end of the straight was lower comparing to Billy Tsang. Towards the end of the race, Billy Tsang tried for four laps trying to overtake Martin at the end of the straight. Martin held the inside line firmly and managed to defend his position into T1. With two laps to go, Billy Tsang took a wise decision by loosening up the fight and opted for taking the second place. Tengyi finished third with a very smooth race, Andy suffered tire problems and Rainey suffered high water temperature towards the end of the race forcing them to lose a couple positions in the race. Martin Cao won again and this win confirmed his lead in the driver points table. The three teammates Tengyi Jiang, Andy Yan as well as Rainey He finished 3rd, 5th, and 8th respectively. Dr. Nick Mason, who has served the team since the inception of the team in 2006, is moving back to his home country of UK, was given the honor to go up to the podium to take the team trophy for R4.

Ford project director Paul Hui said: “ Very satifying result for the team? when we have to fight this rediculous weight penalty that we have to carry race after race. We have to start preparing for the next race which will not conducted in a brand new track. Finally, I would like to dedicate this win to Nick, our good colleague who has worked with the team since day one and we will not forget his contribution to the success of the team.

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