Josh Burdon completes successful test with FRD Ford Focus at Zhuhai

Australian driver and Asian Formula Renault champion Josh Burdon has completed a test with the FRD Team at Zhuhai. Burdon drove the team’s CTCC-specification Ford Focus ahead of a potential programme in the championship as an international entrant.

The 24-year-old won the 2016 Asian Formula Renault championship with seven victories from 12 starts, and his test with FRD was arranged at the end of the season.

“I was very surprised with Josh’s performance today,” said team manager and FRD Team owner Kenneth Ma. “He finished with some very quick laps. It proved Josh’s ability, adapting to his first drive in a front-wheel drive touring car. This will be the second year for China Touring Car Championship to have foreign drivers allowed to compete, so I hope that we will have further development on this shortly.”

Burdon hopes to be able to convert his fast pace into a race seat for 2017, after a number of international stars competed in the 2016 CTCC season, including former WTCC drivers’ champion Rob Huff, BTCC front-runner Adam Morgan and 2015 Asian Formula Renault champion Dan Wells.

“Completing my first test with Changan Ford Racing was a success, ticking a lot of boxes which I hope has put me in a good position to secure the seat,” said Burdon. “It is a polished, professional run team and they gave me all of the tools needed as well as allowed me to focus on turning my first laps in a front wheel drive car and getting up to speed, which is exactly what we did. I am happy with the results from the test and hope to build on this with securing a contract this season.”