Race Report - PCCA - Rounds 11 & 12 - Zhuhai GP

The season finale of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, took the series back to one of the traditional circuits of Asia; in Zhuhai for one of the most exciting race weekends in recent memory at this circuit.

Like Shanghai, this was the second time that we visited to Zhuhai circuit during the 2010 season, though this weekend had some significance. We were running with the Intercontinental Le Mans which made it a very special weekend.

The two practice sessions for us saw me finish in 15th and 14th places respectively. We were running just under the 2 minute mark in the rain, and things were going good. After the massive rain that we had experienced in Shanghai a fortnight prior, it was good to get some confidence back in these sessions.

Qualifying went underway and I went out into the pitlane to wait for the sessions to start. I saw Menzel and Avila taking their cars out and thought they would be a good pair to follow. As the session began, both cars in front of me powered off straight away, as I try and keep pace with them. Although they were still some 3 seconds a lap quicker in the opening stages of qualifying, things were still strong.

Fourteen minutes into the session, I had set a time some 4 seconds quicker than I had done in practice. I came back into the pitlane and parked the car, as I wanted to save the rest of the rain tyres for the race, if it rained. Good thing I did as it did end up raining.

After a action packed qualifying session, we did a best qualifying of the season with a strong 8th place in the rain. I also managed to outqualify Singaporean legend, Ringo Chong which was very good for the team. We have been working for this result, for the whole season.

Race 1 saw an eventful race! I started off the line and by turn 4, lost a place to Jeffrey Lee. This put us in 9th place. On lap 2, the safety car was deployed, cautioning safety that saw a large crash going into turn 1 at the start of the race. This was between Terrence Ku and Michael Choi. Choi, the 4th time he was hit out of a race during the 2010 season.

As the safety car went in, I built a larger lead to 10th place, Ringo Chong though around lap 7, Hong Kong driver, Alain Li put a rear wheel on the ripple strips, causing the car to spin into the wall. This brought out the safety car, once again and cut any gap that was built over Chong. 

As the safety went back into pitlane, there was four racing laps remaining of the race. We were all neck and neck, and Jeffrey Lee's car started to drop pace, allowing Ringo to close in on me.

After a hard and closely fought battle, I brought the car home in 9th place. One place in front of Ringo Chong.

This was a satisfying result for us and the team was repaid for all of its hard work.

Race 2 saw a much less satisfying result. As the car was being put on the grid, the clutch started to feel as if it was wearing out. And this is what was happening. There was no time to do anything about this, so I brought the car home, slowly but surely, finally finishing in 16th place. It was a bit of a disappointment but mechanical problems, do sometimes occur.

All in all, it was the greatest weekend of my racing career, and I hope I can built on this end of season pace, in the 2011 season. I will be back in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.