Photo: Procar

Jason Zhang Zhi Qiang takes pole for Chevrolet in Korea

Jason Zhang Zhi Qiang has taken a surprise pole position for the fifth round of the 2014 China Touring Car Championship at the Korean International Circuit.

Zhang Zhi Qiang, competing in the privateer G-Racing run Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T hatchback, secured pole with a time of 2:25.554, over half a second quicker than his closest rival, the Changan Ford FRD Focus of Martie Xie Zin Zhe.

Xie’s team-mate Darryl O’Young was third fastest, just a further tenth behind in his Ford Focus.

Wang Rue was the top Shanghai VW 333 Racing driver in the early stages of qualifying, but missed out the latter part of the session and fell down the order to eventually qualifying seventh in the Polo 1.6T, leaving Jiang Tengyi the best placed of the Volkswagen drivers in fourth.

Kia Racing made their Championship return this weekend with the new K3S, but were unable to challenge the leading cars today, with Larry Lin Le Feng and Michael Soong qualifying in 11th and 12th, outside of the top ten.

The race will be held at 12:35 local time on Sunday.