After Ho-Pin Tung’s successful debut in the Budweiser Porsche Carrera Asia Cups first rounds, this weekend’s races 3 and 4 at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China turned out disappointing. Lap times were excellent, in the first free practice the young Chinese was fastest of the bunch, but a multi-car accident in Saturday’s race made Ho-Pin Tung´s race last only 500 meters.

“Literally I was knocked out of the race together with ten others”, Ho-Pin stated right after he stepped out of the wrecked Budweiser Porsche Carrera. He was fourth on the grid, after a good qualification.

“Quali I could have done better; I made a small mistake on my first set of tyres and on my second set I had to overtake two cars in my flying lap, which makes it impossible to do the maximum”.

Race 3, on Saturday, took only one minute for Ho-Pin Tung, which meant a 19th position on the starting grid of Sundays race 4. The jam in the first corner forced Ho-Pin back to 21st. But then he commenced his overtaking parade. He was very quick, did excellent lap times, overtook in every lap, once even two cars at a time!

This double action Ho-Pin executed masterly, outbraking at the outside line and then passing the two contending drivers. “Unfortunately this race was only 12 laps had it been more I could have been fighting for a top position”.

His pointless appearance in Zhuhai means painful loss of positions in the standings for the championship. Says Ho-Pin, “We are even more motivated we’ll keep on fighting. We are fast, next race I can go for a win, or two, and that is exactly my goal”.

Prepared by www.hopintung.com

Photos by Klaas Pieter Rieksen

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