(Beijing, China - September 25, 2005)Chen Xu of Team Wonderlife did it again this weekend.He has won all the races of the China Formula Campus Series so far, and did so again this weekend.This makes his record 6 out of 6, perfect with only 2 more races to go.Close behind for both races this weekend was Alexandra of Team Indonesia Incorporated who finished 2nd twice and Xu Jia of Team Giant who finished 3rd twice.
Qualifying Saturday afternoon was quite intense as the Red Flag had to come put a few times to clear cars stuck on the track.This being the case, none of the drivers got to do too many laps in a row.In the end it was Alexandra coming out on top with Pole Position and Chen Xu and Xu Jia in 2nd and 3rd.Song Ge also of Team Wonderlife came in 4th, Chia On of Team East Shanghai 5th and Edward Erlandson of Team Giant in 6th.
As the Red Lights turned off and the race started, it was Alexandra that took the lead from Pole.At the end of the first lap, Alexandra slowed a bit too much for the last corner and Chen Xu and Xu Jia got past her on the inside.Later on, Song Ge got past Alexandra also for 3rd place for a few laps, until Alexandra got past Song Ge at the last corner.Now it was Chen Xu in 1st, Xu Jia in 2nd and Alexandra in 3rd.Song Ge was in 4th for a while, until he dropped out.
Half way through the race, Chen Xu and Xu Jia were very close to each other.Then all of a sudden Chen Xu spun out on the last corner, and Xu Jia took the lead by a huge margin.Chen Xu got going again in the right direction just in front of Alexandra.Few laps later, it was Xu Jia that spun in the lead dropping from 1st to 3rd.Alexandra caught up to Chen Xu and was now attacking him for the lead.She kept getting a better exit out of the last corner, and tried to pass Chen Xu going into Turn 1 on outside, but she could never get enough speed to complete a pass like that.
At the end of Race 1 it was Chen Xu, Alexandra and Xu Jia on the podium.Next was Chin, Ka Lok of Team Perfect Beauty in 4th place after starting from 6th.Fifth and 6th went to team Team Sparco teammates Frank Yee and Geoffrey Kwong.
Race 2 took place Sunday morning.The starting order was determined by the finished order from Race 1 on Saturday.
When the race started on Sunday morning, there was little passing on the opening laps as drivers wanted to make sure they finish the race strong.By the third lap, Alexandra was gaining in Chex Xu and looking to attack.
Song Ge of Team Wonderlife started from the back of the pack, as he did not finish the race yesterday.Still, he managed to get into 7th within just a few laps.His next challenge was to pass Chin, Ka Lok.He kept trying to pass lap after lap until he finally got by on the last corner.
The top three, Chen Xu, Alexandra and Xu Jia were pulling away together from the rest of the cars.Alexandra was closing on Chex Xu and looking for a pass half way through the race distance.At the same time, Xu Jia was getting closer and closer to Alexandra, and finally passed her on the outside of T1.Alexandra quickly got her place back as they went though the Last Turn.
By now things had stabilized and quite some distance separated the Top 3.It looked as if the drivers were getting tired, and preferred to keep their position, than to loose it and not finish the race.
Chen Xu took the win again while Alexandra and Xu Jia finished 2nd and 3rd again.This race Song Ge finished in 4th place, and Chin, Ka Lok and Chia On finished 5th and 6th.
FRD Motorsports, the Asian Motorsports Pioneer will hold the final two rounds of the China Formula Campus Series at the Beijing Goldenport racetrack next month on October 28 - 30.Now Chen Xu has won all 6 races of the China Formula Campus Series.Will anyone put an end to this winning streak?Come to Beijing on October 28 - 30 to see for yourself.
By Vinay Basavaraja
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