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| Copyright © Nissan |
Zhuhai International Circuit, Zhuhai, China (August 19, 2007)
Round 3 of the China Circuit Championship (CCC) took place at the Zhuhai International Circuit (1 lap/4.3km) in the Cantonese city of Zhuhai. Competing in the 1600cc class, the two NISSAN Tiidas (Dongfeng NISSAN Ghiasports Team) were awarded their first 1-2 finish of the season.
Zhuhai Circuit, Dongfeng NISSAN Ghiasports Team's home track, was host to a scorcher of a race for Round 3 of the CCC series, with ambient temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius, while the track was measured at 47 degrees. Driving the Tiidas were last year's champion Guo Haisheng in the #1 car, while in the #2 machine, after joining the team this year, was Lin Ligfeng.
The day before the race, Saturday, August 18th, saw the reigning champion take his first pole position of the season in qualifying, with the #2 car lining up a splendid third. At the start, the #1 machine had to defend against his archrival in the #3 VW Polo. Going into the first corner, it was the #3 Polo, #1 Tiida and #2 Tiida. The #1 kept the pressure on the #3 Polo, while waiting for his chance to overtake, not letting the car ahead pull out any gap.
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| Copyright © Nissan |
The turnaround point in the race came on lap 8 when the VW momentarily dropped its pace going into a corner and the #1 Tiida was immediately through to go top. After that, the #3 Polo slowed and pitted due to driveline trouble, the car undertaking repairs in the pits. However, once back on track the car was shown the orange disc as its bonnet hood had not been properly affixed, meaning it had to return to the pits once again, and its race challenge abandoned. After the emergency measures, the car returned to the on-track action but was never a threat.
After the loss of the #3 Polo, the two Tiidas were set up for the 1-2, the #2 Tiida never allowing any other car to come close, making for the perfect total victory.
China Circuit Championship (CCC)
Nissan/NISMO provides technical support to the Dongfeng Nissan Ghiasports Team, running two Nissan Tiida entries in the 1600cc class of China's most prominent touring car series. There are also two privately entered Nissan Sunnys in the 2000cc class. This year's championship is comprised of six rounds, held at circuits in Zhuhai, Beijing, Shanghai. 2 races scheduled in Chengdu has been changed to be held in Beijing. The 1600cc class permits only drivers from China, and is used as a way to nurture Chinese talent. The class also has a lot of freedom in terms of technical regulations, with loose restrictions on modifying cars entered in the category. This class is set to become the biggest and most central category in Chinese touring car-based racing.
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