Leo Yi Hong Li takes his first CTCC victory in Shanghai

Kia Racing’s Leo Yi Hong Li won the fifth round of the 2015 China Touring Car Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Dongfeng Honda Racing’s Martin Xie Xin Zhe and Henry Ho completing the podium.

Pole-sitter Henry Ho was passed by the Kias of Leo Yi and Jason Zhang Zhi Qiang at race started, but Ho was able to get back ahead of Zhang on the second lap. Meanhile, Ho’s Honda team-mate Martin Xie, who had started from 13th, was up to seventh by the end of the third lap.

Xie continued to move up the order, and was attacking Jason Zhang for third position on lap six, with the two making contact which saw Zhang knocked into the barrier.

He Xi Yian of Haima Z1 Racing and Larry Lin Line Feng of Kia Racing also made contact during the race, crashing into each other when they are struggling in the mid-field, Lin retired from the race afterwards while He struggled to finish tenth.

Henry Ho was passed by Martin Xie in lap seven, with Xie now up to second place, but Yi had established a comfortable lead that the Honda driver couldn’t close down.

Leo Yi went on to achieve his first victory of the 2015 season ahead of the two Hondas. Rainey He was the best placed Ford driver in fourth ahead of Andy Yan.

In the Super Production Cup Class race, Sunny Wong led a Teamwork Citroën 1-2 ahead of team-mate Alex Hui, with Zhang Zhen Dong third for Shanghai VW 333 Racing.

Andy Yan now leads the drivers’ standings on 47 points, with Jason Zhang second on 44 and Henry Ho third on 40, with the next round of CTCC will be held on October 25th at the Yancheng street circuit.