Photo: Sina F1

Andy Yan leads Ford 1-2-3 in qualifying at Shanghai

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Reigning CTCC champion Andy Yan has taken pole position for the first round of the 2012 China Touring Car Championship for Chang’an Ford FRD team, with Ford sweeping the top three spots on the grid.

Chang’an Ford FRD dominated the Super Production class with Andy Yan on pole and team-mats Fan Gao Xian and Rainey He in second and third positions, the only drivers within a second of Yan’s time.

The top ten cars were all fitted with turbocharged engines, with the top normally aspirated car that of Cheung Hon Bil driving for GDTV TSB Racing, whose Honda Accord qualified in 11th position.

The full entry list for this season sees the merged Super Production class comprised of seven teams and 20 drivers. Shanghai VW 333 Racing enter four Volkswagen Polo 1.6Ts with Han Han, Wang Rue, Gao Hua Yang and Zhang Zhen Dong.

Chang’an Ford, who had announced to retain the last year’s lineup a month ago, will enter four of the new model Ford Focus 1.6Ts, using the same engine as WTCC compatriots Arena Motorsport.

Kia 778 Racing features a significant change of driver line-up alongside Lo Hung Pui (replacing
Lo Ka Chun for this round), including Jiang Rong Hao, an upcoming touring car talent from Taiwan, Jim Ka To and Michael Soong from Hong Kong, The team will continue to run the naturally aspirated Kia Forte 2.0s, although they will be upgraded with “brand-new” 1.6T engines from the later part of this season.

The Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T is becoming more popular amongst the privateers: G Racing
(formerly Shi Xue Ying Galaxy Racing) and Team de Marco (formerly ASR de Marco) will
enter two Chevrolet Cruzes each.

TSB Racing, with Guangdong TV Broadcasting Company’s (GDTV)sponsorship, enter three Honda Accords with last year’s line-up.

Another new team in the privateer’s category, Summit S-Wave Racing from Taiwan, who confirmed Jason Kang Jie Wei as their driver several days ago, will enter a rented Peugeot 307 for the first round before their Nissan Tiida turbo is completely built.

2012 CTCC Super Production class entry list:
Han Han – Shanghai VW 333 Racing – Volkswagen Polo 1.6T
Wang Rue – Shanghai VW 333 Racing – Volkswagen Polo 1.6T
Gao Hua Yang – Shanghai VW 333 Racing – Volkswagen Polo 1.6T
Zhang Zhen Dong – Shanghai VW 333 Racing – Volkswagen Polo 1.6T
Rainey He – Chang’an Ford FRD – Ford Focus 1.6T
Jiang Tengyi – Chang’an Ford FRD – Ford Focus 1.6T
Andy Yan – Chang’an Ford FRD – Ford Focus 1.6T
Fan Gao Xian – Chang’an Ford FRD – Ford Focus 1.6T
Lo Hung Pui – Kia 778 Racing – Kia Forte
Jim Ka To – Kia 778 Racing – Kia Forte
Michael Soong – Kia 778 Racing – Kia Forte
Jiang Rong Hao – Kia 778 Racing – Kia Forte
Kenetth Look – G Racing – Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
Ziang Zhi Qiang – G Racing – Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
Mike Law Sau Fung – Team da Marco – Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
(To be confirmed) – Team da Marco – Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T
Roger Leung Tai Ming – GDTV TSB Racing – Honda Accord
Cheung Hon Bil – GDTV TSB Racing – Honda Accord
Tang Yau Zi – GDTV TSB Racing – Honda Accord
Jason Kang Jie Wei – Summit S Wave Racing – Peugeot 307 *

* Kang will enter a Nissan Tiida 1.6T from Round 2 in ZIC.