Due to the last minute notice that August 15th has been declared as the National mourning day for the victims of the recent debris flow by the Government, FRD, the organizer of the C1 Challenge Show and the AFR series, in support of this decision, is moving the Sunday activities to Monday. At the same time, trying to accomodate the flight and other logistics arrangements of the teams and drivers, the AFR committee tried to squeeze in all the practices, qualifying and the two races into Saturday. With the understanding, cooperation and the huge effort from everyone, the change of the schedule didn't quench the enthusiasm of everyone involved and the sessions went ahead according to the revised time table. Taking this opportunity, the organizing committee would like to thank everyone for this huge effort.
Back to the race sessions, qualifying started at exactly 1.25pm in the afternoon. Based on the practice sessions done during the past few days, Martin Cao was expected to win the qualifying. But on lap one, Sandy Stuvik immediately set a very fast time of 1.50.17. Martin Cao followed with 1.50.23. Jim Kato, made 1.50.767 and Andrew Waite, a driver who won one race earlier this year in the Australia F3 series, followed with a time of 1.50.779. Martin Cao couldn't improve his time further but Sandy made another fast lap by lap 4 and became the only driver to break the 1.49 mark in the 40C hot afternoon. Kevin O'Hara who missed the Chengdu race got in traffic in the first lap and could only start pushing and made a good time on lap 2.
The qualifying session finished with Sandy taking the pole, Martin Cao second, Kato third, Kevin O'Hara fourth and Andrew Waite taking the last spot of the top five. Race one will start at 3.55 in the afternoon.
Race 1
With only less than two hours to prepare the cars after the qualifying session, the teams did a good job to start the race on time. Martin had a good start and overtook Sandy into turn one. Kato and Kevin followed closely behind them trying to stay within a good striking distance. These four car formation lasted until lap eight when Kato made a slight mistake allowing both Kevin and Andrew Waite to pass him. During the 10 lap race, Sandy scored the best time of the race 1.50.086 on lap three using Martin's slip stream.
After the two wins in Chengdu, Martin scored another win for himself and the team. Sandy came back 1.101 seconds behind and kevin O'Hara 4.182 seconds further back. Andrew Waite will start race 2 with grid position 4th and Kato will start 5th.
Race 2
One hour and 15 minutes is what the teams have to get all the cars ready to go after race one. The pressure is high and everyone is feeling the tension in front of the AFR pit garage. After exiting the pit lane, rather than coming through the pit area to take another lap, all 18 cars went to the start grid position immediately. The race started off with good order with only Guille Pintanel of Spain stalling his car on the grid.
After the start, Kato made good progress and chasing the two front runners immediately. Sandy was pushing Martin even harder than race one but Martin's defence was leaving no room for Sandy to move up. Sandy scored the best race lap time again of 1.50.889. Another good fight was going on the IFC trophy, which was introduced back for this race due to the high participation level. Jimmy Lin, the famous movie star, Angelo Negro, Patrice Bonzom and Alan Lee were giving each other a good run for the podium.
At the end, Martin won his fourth race in a row, Kato got back on the podium of the International Class. Jimmy Lin, Angelo Negro and Patrice Bonzom got on the podium for their first IFC trophies for the year.
Once again, the organizer would like to thank everyone for their understanding to accomodate this unexpected event, and one of the most hard working day, and worthwhile mentioning, under the super hot 40C temperature. Guys, you are the best and you demonstrate to everyone our love of motor racing can overcome all obstacles.
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