Photo: Procar

Beijing prepares for intense CTCC finale this weekend

The final round of the 2015 China Touring Car Championship takes place this weekend, and it’s a close fight between drivers from three different manufacturers to secure the title, with Andy Yan leading the standings for Changan Ford FRD Team, but with Kia Racing’s Jason Zhang and Dongfeng Honda Racing Team’s Henry Ho just three points behind.

The season finale takes place at a new circuit for the CTCC, Beijing’s 1.7km FASC circuit. It was built by the General Administration of Sport of China in 1996 as a training track for car and motorcycle racing drivers/riders, but has now been rebuilt as an FIA Grade 4 circuit with nine corners this year, now owned by a joint-committee of the CTCC and FASC.

The Super Production Class battle is lead by reigning champion Andy Yan. The Hong Kong driver leads the standings with 55 points, three ahead of both Henry Ho and Jason Zhang. When you factor in that the Dongfeng Honda Racing Team missed an entire race weekend in Korea, as was always scheduled, it’s clear the Ford driver will have to be cautious of the threat from the JAS Motorsport-built Civic driver, as well as being wary of the threat from Kia Racing’s Jason Zhang at the same time.

Kia will also have its eye on the manufacturers’ championship, which it leads with a healthy 120 points and will wrap up the title barring disaster this weekend, with Changan Ford on 99 and Dongfeng Honda on 82.

The Super Production Cup Class for 2.0 litre engine cars is an internal battle between Shanghai VW 333 Racing team-mates Zhang Zhen Dong and Wang Rue. Zhang leads by three points, while Volkswagen have already secured the manufacturers title in this second class.

The team have also confirmed it will be the final race for their Volkswagen Polo, with a new model expected for the 2016 season.

Super Production Class qualifying takes place at 13:30 on Saturday 7th November, with the Super Production Cup Class drivers at 14:30.

The two races take place at 11:50 CST on Sunday (Super Production Class) and 12:35 CST (Super Production Cup Class).