Chen Jun San wins Guangdong Race 1

Taiwanese driver Chen Jun San has won the opening race of the Asian Touring Car Series 2011 season in his Team AAI/Buddy Club Racing Honda Civic from the two China Dragon Racing Chevrolets.

Chen led from pole position to win by 1.8 seconds ahead of Paul Poon’s Chevrolet Lacetti, with Poon’s team-mate Samson Fung completing the podium.

“I didn’t get a good start because I haven’t been racing for three years,” said Chen.

“At the start I overheated my tyres so I did not manage to get a good laptime leaving Paul to catch up to me. I just managed to stay in front of him.”

“I was lucky that there was a safety car period, this gave me a chance to cool my tyres and when the Safety Car went in, I managed a good restart.”

“I am happy to be on the podium after being away for three years. I have to thank my team for a job well done today.”

The top six will be reversed for race two, which will give Japanese driver Hideharu Kuroki pole position in his Honda Integra. Kuroki was also the second highest finishing ATCS class driver amongst the Hong Kong Touring Car drivers.