Photo: TCR World Tour

Ma Qing Hua on debut Geely win: “It was wild”

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Ma Qing Hua claimed the first FIA TCR World Tour win of the new Geely Preface TCR in only its second race, fighting his way from third on the reversed grid to win the second race of the premiere at Misano.

“It was wild, come on! I’m so happy. It was an intense moment. The start was ok, but we got pretty hard fighting,” said Ma.

The Chinese driver battled the ALM Motorsport Honda drivers Jenson Brickley and Ruben Volt during the first part of the race and got into the lead by lap six.

“I could certainly pick up the pace and make the overtake. It was a nice move, I think, clean. It was really good fighting, I really enjoyed the race,” said Ma.

BRC Hyundai driver Mikel Azcona was also a driver on the move in the second race, fighting his way from ninth on the grid to second place and was gaining on Ma at mid-point of the race.

“The second part of the race when I saw the Hyundai guy was catching up, I said ‘oh, I cannot relax, not a single second’,” said Ma.

“I had to push, push, push like qualifying. I did, I don’t know, 13 qualifying laps.”

Ma won the race by just below a second over Azcona and is currently placed fourth overall, 23 points from leading driver Azcona.