First half of the 2017 China GT season has welcomed some of the world’s top drivers. Some of the biggest stars in GT racing that will grace the track again at China GT included: PCCA stars Chris van der Drift, Will Bamber and Maxime Jousse, experienced GT racing drivers Martin Ragginger, and 3rd place finisher of the 2016 Audi R8 LMS Cup Martin Rump. Adding to our already star-studded drivers lineup: Former F1 driver and three-time Audi R8 LMS Cup champion Alex Yoong, legendary Chinese driver Cheng Congfu in another Audi R8 LMS, CTCC champion He Xiaole, renowned racer Yang Xi, CRC champion and rally driver Zhou Yong, and 2015 British GT Championship GT4 class champion Briton Ross Gunn will make an appearance at the Shanghai grid.
Xu Jia, Kings Racing: I had a bad accident last race weekend and that totaled my car. We had a new one shipped in just in time and invited Alex Yoong as my partner for my home race. SIC is a challenging track with many high-speed corners. The combined GT3/GTC grid also adds to the challenge when overtaking. In any case, we have our eye on the prize.
Alex Yoong, Kings Racing: I am looking forward to my first race here at China GT. I think it is a championship with a lot of potential and growth. However, we have to be mindful about maintaining its integrity and professionalism for it to prosper for years to come. It is going to be challenging for me having to race two series on the same weekend, but I love a challenge and will never complain about having too much to drive. A joint grid calls for careful strategy from the teams so you are not caught behind a slow car.
Martin Rump, Kings Racing: I had one race with Blancpain during the China GT summer break and had a bit of practice with my home go-kart. Otherwise, I’ve just been trying to relax and get ready for racing again. It is going to be quite challenging for me racing in two series on the same weekend, China GT and the Audi R8 LMS Cup. I will need to work with a tight schedule and be as energy-efficient as possible. I have not raced at SIC on Pirelli tyres before so I am trying to find my zone and the right set up. The new joint grid is going to be interesting for the spectators, but there are more chances of a crash so we need to try to stay out of trouble. For this weekend, we just want to do our best and see where we end up.
Marchy Lee, Audi Hong Kong: We have some experience with this track and we want to put in our best performance as we always do. A combined grid is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. We are featuring the same driver lineup this weekend and we are aiming for the top step.
Morris Chen, FAW T2M: As a professional racing team, we have standard preparation routine for each race. We are not too familiar with this track, and the joint GT3/GTC grid is going to add to the risks. It is not ideal but we will find a way to deal with it.
Bao Jinlong, FAW T2M: I have been training to stay in form since Zhuhai. I had some race experience with SIC but with two Classes sharing the grid we want to be careful, especially when overtaking lapped cars. I am confident and looking to win here.
Alexandre Imperatori, Bentley Team Absolute: We have sustained quite a bit of damage in Zhuhai, but we managed to get the car ready for this weekend thanks to the team. I have been studying the track and analysing the data to get ready for the race. This is close to a home race for me, and the track is well suited for my car. There is going to be quite a bit of traffic on the track due to the combined grid, but this is how they do it in endurance races so I think it is a nice change.
Li Jiaqi, JRM JiaRui – TengDa: I have spent the past month training and getting into form. My partner has given me a lot of guidance and I have been practicing in go-karts. SIC is a complicated lap, and you need to know what to give up. We are going to be a bit more conservative this weekend and try to finish the race before looking at positions. Joint grid can be quite tricky after all.
Chris van der Drift, JRM JiaRui – TengDa: I spent some time relaxing back in New Zealand and mountain biking in Singapore during the summer break. I have raced here at SIC before with GP2 Asia Series and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, though this time it is warmer than I am used to. Our 911 GT3R is not the strongest on long straights but hopefully we can maximize our advantage at slower corners. If it gets wet and damp, it’s going to play in our favour. For this weekend, we just want for myself and Li Chao to have good stints.
Will Bamber, JRM JiaRui - TengDa: Our preparation for the race is going well. It is interesting to see how the new BOP plays out and if we have got the balance right for both the Pro driver and the gentlemen driver. I think our team has done a good job and we should have a good weekend. I have done some laps here in Shanghai. Hopefully I can transfer that to my partner and both perform well. I think joining GT3/GTC is going to be a spectacle, and fortunately, I have some experience with it last year at China GT. For this weekend, we want to try to stay on the podium; with my partner’s improved performance, we can push for a win.
Lin Shuming, Team Manager, TSRT Tianshi Racing: We haven’t had much time to get ready as we have been flat out with other series. However, that is not to say we would not give it all. Our #100 car will continue to be driven by Pu Mu and Liang Kaifeng, and #19 by new pairing Huang Yiqing and Chang Jiong. We are experienced with the track so we are hoping to keep a podium finish and look for higher positions.
Max Wiser, Spirit of the Race: This is Ferrari 488 GT3’s debut performance at China GT, so we have quite a lot more work to do in terms of set up and parts. Our mechanics are working hard towards that end. This track is where I won the 2016 China GT Championship so I am confident about my performance this weekend.
Cheng Congfu, BBT: I am feeling positive towards this weekend, as I am quite experienced with the car and the track. I hope to do the best we can with my partner.
Huang Hsi Chan, D2 Racing: I have never driven on this track before – only practiced on simulators. I hope to get as much track experience as possible before the weekend. Our success ballast has been reset to zero due to the new regulations, but BOP is still adds to our burden: 73kg of BOP weight and a 1mm reduction in restrictor size to 35mm. We need to get out there in order to get the data for the right set up. Of course, winning is still my goal.
Ling Kang, Xtreme Motorsports: This is our home race so I have all the confidence that I will perform. I just returned from a race in the UK and am hoping for good results this weekend.
Chen Yinian, Xtreme Motorsports: I have raced twice in Shanghai previously. Running GT4 solo would be a great experience. Our BoP weight is 40kg less so that is good news. I will do the first stint this weekend.
Yan Kai, DMS: We made some changes to our parts so the next few days will be crucial to finding the right set up and adjustment. SIC has wide tracks so it will offer interesting opportunities. A combined grid will be tough but we will draw on our experience from last year to give our best performance.
Yuan Tingting, 300+: I felt like I was not in my best form racing in heat last time in Zhuhai so I have been putting in the hours at the gym. I have raced at SIC before but never in an Audi R8 LMS. I am looking forward to a second tryout at China GT. I will try to stay in the race and do the best I can.
Li Huiwei, Yashe 300+: I have always enjoyed racing and have raced in Shanghai before. With GT3 on the same grid, we need to be careful when being lapped. Hope to be able to bring the car safely home this weekend.
Feng Chong, Team Manager, The Winning Team: Due to the new regulations, our success weight has been reset to zero starting this race onwards, which I am quite pleased about. However, we are facing strong competition this time, so we are putting in more effort to ensure our victory on home grounds. Everyone in our team knows this track like the back of our hand, so I have a lot of confidence in this weekend.
Julio Acosta, Team Lotus: I have raced in Shanghai in formula series and prototype, and have several years’ experience training other drivers with Lotus. Sharing a wheel with someone is a new challenge and we have a lot of think through. Lotus is not quite as strong on straights but we have an advantage in our braking ability. A podium finish is our goal.
Yang Zhiyi, ZIA FEA Racing: We do not have a lot of experience in Shanghai, so we have to take advantage of the official practice on Friday to get a few laps in. Our goal is to finish, but a podium finish would be sweet.
He Xiaole, ChinaEquity AMR: I am still getting ready and getting used to the car. I have known Zhou Yong for awhile but this is my first partnership. We hope to get on the podium by the end of the weekend.
