After a month-long summer break, China GT is returning to the Shanghai International Circuit (SIC), joined by Audi R8 LMS Cup, which is completing its first China leg of the 2017 season. This 5.451km long circuit is no stranger to motorsport enthusiasts yet it is still full of surprises.
The Hermann Tilke designed Shanghai International Circuit is known for the changing acceleration and deceleration contained within its long and winding corners. This 5.451km long circuit is packed with 16 corners and two long straights, including the 1.4km long back straight just before the tight hairpin of Turn 14, sending brake dust into the air and huge spike in G force. On this track, power is important as drivers can go full throttle over 50% of the time. This track has historically produced many exciting overtaking moments, most typically at turns 6, 9, 11, 14 and 16. The flowing long corners from T11 to T13, and the twisting and turning T1-3, continue to reward those who dare to take on a challenge. The SIC is also a relatively low grip track that sees drivers fighting for traction.
New marques are making debut at the China GT Championship on this weekend of already too many stars. Single-event entry Spirit of the Race will enter a Ferrari 488 GT3 into the race, registering a record-breaking 555,000 euros price tag among the GT3 fleet. The Porsche Cayman GT4 also makes its maiden appearance at China GT, increasing the total number of manufacturers to five in the GT4 category. Xtreme Motorsports is fielding two KTM X-Bow GT4 in addition to the two Radical RXC V6 on home grounds. One of the X-Bows will be driven by Belgian-born female driver Naomi Schiff.
To add to our already star-studded drivers lineup: Former F1 driver and three-time Audi R8 LMS Cup champion Alex Yoong will be joining Xu Jia of Kings Racing in the fluorescent blue Audi R8. Absolute Racing will also feature Liu Xu and the legendary Chinese driver Cheng Congfu in another Audi R8 LMS. Max Wiser and Jiang Xin will be behind the wheel of the Ferrari 488 GT3. Female driver Yuan Tingting will return to the tracks with 300+ in the GTC Class. The #618 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of ChinaEquity AMR will be driven by CTCC champion He Xiaole and CRC champion and renowned rally driver Zhou Yong, while the #77 will be fielded by GT4 Class champion of the 2015 British GT Championship and rising talent, Briton Ross Gunn. Han Geng and Alexandre Imperatori of Bentley Team Absolute will return to their home race after missing the Zhuhai rounds in July.
Notably, the Round 7 and 8 of the Shanghai weekend will feature a combined GT3 and GTC grid for the first time in the 2017 season. A joined grid will put the GT3 & GTC entries count to 28. The 11 entries in GT4 will enjoy this weekend solo.
Taking stock of the current Drivers ‘Championship standing: Wang Liang of Kings Racing took the helm of the GT3 drivers ‘scoreboard with 85 points after four consecutive podium finishes in Zhuhai, including two victories. Martin Ragginger and Bao Jinlong of FAW T2M is a close second with 83 points thanks to the duo’s consistent performance throughout the season. Wang Liang’s co-driver Martin Rump was late to the China GT scene but dazzled the crowd the minute he hit the tracks. Rump also occupies second spot alongside the FAW T2M duo in the overall GT3 standings. D2’s Huang Hsi Chan impressive three wins and one podium have lifted him up to first place in the GTC overall standings with 86.5 points. Xu Wei and Ling Kang of Xtreme Motorsports are trailing Huang with 63 points after three second-place finish. JRM’s Will Bamber and Bian Hao currently occupy fourth after winning Round 4 and finishing third in Round 5. After four back-to-back wins and two podiums, the Winning Team’s David McIntyre and Roelof Bruins are in the top spot in the GT4 overall standings. Bruins has 120.5 points under his belt and McIntyre 95.5, with Chinese driver Chen Yinian trailing in third.
In the Teams Championship standings, Kings Racing made an impressive start for the first half of the season, clenching four victories and is leading the GT3 teams’ scoreboard with 168 points, 43 points clear of Audi Hong Kong. FAW T2M’s consistent performance has lifted the team up to third place with 111 points. In GTC Class, JRM JiaRui – TengDa has made podium for five consecutive rounds and currently tops the GTC chart with 87.5 points alongside D2 Racing. Huang Hsi Chan claimed his China GT maiden win in Beijing and then went on to take home the golden trophy for Rounds 3 and 5, placing D2 Racing at the top of the GTC standings. Spirit Z Racing came third with 70 points, having won Round 2 and taken second and third in Zhuhai. True to its name, the Winning Team has been the dominant force in GT4 Class scoring four consecutive victories and two pole positions in the first half of the season. They currently occupy the top spot in the GT4 standings with 122.5 points, leading newcomer Team Lotus and Xtreme Motorsports with 82 and 63 points.
Rounds 7 and 8 of the China GT Championship will be streaming live on the official Facebook page (@ChinaGTChampionship) on 9-10 September.
