The GT Challenge series is trying out a new qualifying format for this weekend's races. There will be two qualifying sessions for the two races instead of using the previous system of Race 1 winner sitting on the pole of R2. The series will also continue to use the rolling start format.

During the qualifying sessions in this morning, Byron Tong dominated the time sheet and won both poles positions. Eric Lo took second and Oliver Lee ranked third for the first race. For race 2, Kenneth Ma and Francis Hideki Onda took second and third respectively.

The first race was held in mid-day under super hot Shanghai weather. Oliver Lee had a good start and overtook Byron Tong to take the lead. But he had to give up that lead back to Bryon by lap eight after intensive pressure applied from Bryon.

Zheng Ting, a driver from Shanghai, who started from grid position 5, went straight to third position in lap one but had to relinquish his good position after experiencing electrical problem. Francis Hideki Onda took the opportunity and moved up to third position and stayed there until the end of the race.

Diana Rosario, a female driver from Macau, finished the race in fifth position but good enough to put her in the first place of the the A group which is running the lower power Ferrari 360 cars. The 1st runner-up is Ivo Yiu, also from Macau, and the 2nd runner-up position was captured by Alex Wong. This marks the first time a female driver wins a class in the GT Challenge.

The second round began at 17:10 in the afternoon. Eric Lo was at the leading position from the very beginning of the race to the end but was penalized for passing before crossing the timing line during the start. He still could stand on the podium and collect the 1st runner-up trophy even after this penalty.

Byron Tong, who fought with Eric through out the race for the lead, became the biggest winner of the day after collecting his second win of the day. The third place went to Francis Hideki Onda after a very consistent performance.

Diana Rosario won the A group again. Ivo Yiu collected third place while the second position was won by a 15 year-young driver, Shaun Thong. We might be seeing a bright young star in the making.

After the GT Challenge completed successfully today, the focus will be moved towards the Clio Cup China series and the AFR racing activities Sunday.