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| Copyright © NISMO |
The fourth round of the "China Circuit Championship" (CCC) was held on the short course at Shanghai International Circuit (4.606km/lap) on August 27th. In the 1600cc-class, Nissan Tiida cars entered by the Dongfeng Nissan Ghia Sports Team took second place, with teammate Guo Hai Sheng taking third. As a result, the winner, He Xiao Le now leads 2nd place by four points and remains at the top of the driver痴 standings. The Dongfeng Nissan Ghia Sports team stays on top in the team痴 rankings.
A large number of spectators gathered in fine weather on Sunday, August 27th, at the circuit that famously hosts a round of the F1 world championship. The race got underway at 12:00, in temperatures that were harsh for the drivers, the air exceeding the 36c mark. The track temperature stood at 50 degrees. For the drivers and the tires, it was a severe set of circumstances. Immediately prior to the race start, both Nissan entries were penalized for jacking the cars up on the grid when the five minute board was shown. Qualifying in 2nd place, the #20 car was sent to the back of the grid, and the #19 car, which had qualified in 3rd, sent to the back beside it.
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| Copyright © NISMO |
However, the two Tiida entries were on a strong pursuit of their rivals, and after only one lap, had passed more than 10 cars. On lap three, the #19 car was up to sixth place; while two laps later, the #20 machine passed it to take fourth. The #19 car then took its mandatory pit stop on lap five. After speedy work by the pit crew, the car was back out on track and up to 5th place by lap 8. Meanwhile, the other car also made its stop, and was back in action and running in 4th place by lap 11. After this, the #20 car closed up the gap to the VW Polo in front, overtaking it on lap 15, and running in third place to the flag.
After taking its first overall victory in the previous event, the #20 car was saddled with a 60kg weight handicap. However, the added weight had little affect on the driver, whose emboldened drive netted third place on lap 8, the car making its stop on lap 10. In 2nd place, the #20 that had restarted after non-wasteful work faced the last stage of the race. However, gaining any more positions was not possible as the VW Polo was some 20 seconds up the road. The #20 car went on to finish in 2nd place.
Car #20 driver He Xiao Le commented:
的t took time because I had to start from the back, and didn稚 have that much experience of passing the slower cars. I kept concentrating on keeping the presence of mind anyway, and pushing. I知 really glad to have run with the lead group of cars and to go up on the podium though it was a very difficult race. I want to do my very best in the next round because it痴 in my hometown, Beijing.
Held on the same day, the 2000cc class race saw a 1-2 finish for the NISSAN Sunny.
The next round of the series (Round 5) is scheduled to take place on September 16th and 17th at Beijing International Circuit.
