Round 9 started at 12:30pm under blue skies and mild 20 degree temperature. With the cool air and sunny weather, track conditions were ideal for what promised to be a thrilling race with the top four drivers so close in qualifying times. When the start lights went off, Yuki Shiraishi charged quickly onto the inside line going into Turn One and immediately took the lead from PS Racing’s Leopold Ringbom. Also, Champ’s Kazuhiro Saeki got off to a slow start allowing Audax PS racing’s Angelo Negro and PS Racing’s Alexandra Asmoebrata to take to the inside of turn one and pass Kazuhiro, but Kazuhiro repassed Alexandra just a few turns later.

By the end of lap one, it was Yuki leading, Leopold in 2nd, Kazuhiro in 3rd, and Angelo Negro in 4th, with Yuki Shiraishi immediately setting what would be the fastest race lap at 1:48.833. Going into lap two, Sunny Wong passed Diana Rosario who was suffering mechanical difficulties. With Yuki Shiraishi leading the first lap, the race seemed to be in his favor until he started experiencing mechanical issues with his car in the third lap and had to pull into the pits to end his race early, handing Leopold the win to extend his points lead in the Championship.

Other action in the race included Sunny Wong moving farther up the grid to finish 7th after passing Alan Lee in lap five, and Tim Teo going off the track in the chicane during lap six.  The top three finishers were PS Racing’s Leopold Ringbom with the win, Champ Motorsport’s Kazuhiro Saeki in 2nd, and Audax PS racing’s Angelo Negro taking 3rd. In the Asian Class, it was Champ Motorsport’s Kazuhiro Saeki in 1st, PS Racing’s Alexandra Asmaeobrata in 2nd, and Champ’s Sunny Wong 3rd on the podium.

Due to the race results, Leopold Ringbom leads the 2011 AFR series with three races to go at 197 points to Champ Motorsport’s Yuki Shiraishi in 2nd with 158 Points, and PS Racing’s Alexandra Asmaeobrata in 3rd with 142 points.

When asked about his feelings about today’s disappointing result, Shiraishi simply said, “Tomorrow.” Indeed, the battle for the Championship continues tomorrow during Round Ten, to be held tomorrow morning at the world famous Shanghai International Circuit. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of this weekend’s AFR Series races.