It was the first time the China Circuit Championship was held at the fully completed Chengdu course. The course is a difficult course and included long straights and continuous S corners. The surface condition was a bit rough, and due to the lack of traction, the FRD&TEIN cars were having problems with understeer. In the end, they were able to find the right set up, but the tires were worrying the team, especially for the later half of the race.

 

During qualifying, car #2 ran times around the 38 second mark, and at one point was at the top. But it was the #6 Hankook Accord that grabbed pole position, followed by the #2 car in 2nd position, the TSB Accord in 3rd, and the #4 car in 4th.

 

The weather was fine for race day and everything looked to be perfect, but in the pits, car #3 didn't look so good. With drive shaft trouble, the car had to pit in straight after the start of the race, and ended up retiring. Car #1 had a great start and made it up to 2nd position. The TSB Accord was in 3rd position and car #2 in 4th position.

 

With the race nearing the end, the 4 main cars started making their final challenges. Car #1 pushed hard but was unable to close the gap. The #6 Hankook Accord drove a hard but steady race from start to finish, completed the final lap and won the race. But just when everyone thought there would be no more changes in the finishing order, car #2 came around the final corner, then car #7. With everyone confused, car #1 followed. Driving hard at the limits of the tires, car #1 came in contact with car #7 opening the door for car #2 to overtake both cars.

 

With the FRD&TEIN cars finishing in 2nd and 4th positions, and the TSB car in 3rd position, this meant TEIN users grabbed 2nd through to 4th positions. The next round will be the final round of the 2008 season in Shanghai. We all look forward to finishing the season on a high note!