SEPTEMBER 11 2024 – RACE REPORT NINGBO
Paul POON took a brilliant victory in the second race of the weekend at the Ningbo International Circuit in his Teamwork Motorsport-run Lynk & Co 03 TCR, following up an equally great second place finish on his return to the challenge class – while Richard LI picked up key points to remain in close title contention.
Qualifying
It was Richard LI who scored pole position, setting a time two-tenths faster than his nearest rival, while POON was fourth quickest on his return to both the Challenge category as well as the 03 TCR, just under a second behind. As POON had changed model of car since his last race, he would have to start from the back of the pack for the race.
Race 9
LI was in second place on the way into the first corner, while POON was fighting his way through the order, and was thankfully clear of a multicar accident at the back of the pack on the first lap which wiped out four cars and saw the safety car called. The race restart on lap four, but LI was soon in the pit lane with a puncture following contact and dropped to the back of the field.
This left POON to pick up the mantle, with the Macau maestro already up to fifth position by lap five and closing on the pack ahead. On lap six, POON passed two cars in one lap to move up onto the final podium position. After the race, POON was promoted to second after the driver which had caused LI’s puncture was penalised and given a ten-second penalty.
Race 10
In the second race, POON was straight up to second place from third on the grid in his Teamwork red-splashed Lynk & Co, and held off an early challenge before he started to close down the race leader, making an inspired pass down the inside to take the lead on lap three.
POON went on to build a near-three second lead and controlled the race to the finish, leading the final 11 laps and going on to comfortably claim his first victory of the 2024 season.
Richard LI had a good run from eighth on the grid in his Lynk & Co 03 TCR, and was in the battle for fifth position before having to slow down on the final lap after suffering a puncture and dropped to the back of the pack, but crucially was able to make the finish, picking up key points for the drivers’ championship.
POON’s victory and LI’s resolve were fantastic achievements for the privateer Teamwork Motorsport squad, which continues to lead the TCR China Challenge teams’ championship on 366 points, ten points clear of its nearest rival.
Richard LI is still in close contention for the drivers’ championship despite a mixed weekend, where pole position was the highlight, demonstrating his incredible pace which went unrewarded in the weekend’s races. LI is just 11 points behind in the drivers’ championship.
The next round of the TCR China Challenge takes place at the Zhuzhou International Circuit on October 18-20, where the Challenge will be the supporting event on the FIA TCR World Tour weekend.
