Jean-Karl Vernay tops close first Chengdu practice
Jean-Karl Vernay topped a close first FIA TCR World Tour practice session at the Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit in China, heading reigning champion Yann Ehrlacher by just 28 thousands of a second.
The Cupra driver headed a total of three Geely Cyan Racing cars, with former points leader Santiago Urrutia in third and Thed Björk in fourth.
Mikel Azcona, who claimed the points lead during the previous round in South Korea, took fifth place ahead of BRC Hyundai team-mate Norbert Michelisz, 0.418 and 0.517 seconds from Vernay respectively.
Local hero Ma Qing Hua was seventh fastest ahead of the fastest guest entry in the form of Lo Sze Ho who took his Evolve Racing-prepared Hyundai to eighth, seven tenths from the top time.
The second free practice session of the weekend starts at 14:40 local time/09:40 CEST.
