A double win for Gao Zilong in TCR Taipei’s penultimate event
In the penultimate event of the TCR Chinese Taipei championship at Lihpao Racing Park, Gao Zilong drove his Liming Racing Honda Civic FL5 to a double victory ahead of the reigning champion Shi Shiwei’s Team AAI Civic FK7, while You Yihao finished twice third in the Team Border-run Civic FK7.
These results mean that Gao has stretched his leadership in the standings of the A Class to 18 points over Shi, when 29 will be on offer in the season finale; Yao has fallen out of contention as he lies third, 30 points behind.
Race 1 – You and Gao shared the front row, with Shi in P3. Gao and Shi led the field at the start, while You dropped behind Huang Xizhan. The leading pair pulled away easily, leaving Huang and You fighting for P3. In lap 4, You overtook Huang and attempted to close the gap from the two drivers ahead.
During the first half of the race, Shi stuck on the tail of Gao’s car, but couldn’t find a way through, then from the sixth lap, Gao began to build a gap, while Huang Xizhan struggled to defend his fourth place from the charging Huang Xun who was leading the C Class in his Audi DSG. Gao went on to claim his third victory of the season, 4.4 points clear of Shi who managed to keep You at bay to finish second.
Race 2 – Gao made good use of the pole position and led the field at the start, followed by Shi and You. The trio pulled away and for most of the race the three cars ran nose-to-tail. At each lap, Shi kept on trying to find a gap and pass Gao who did not make mistakes, while Yao was following them, expecting. Then, in lap 9, Gao was able to create a small gap and went to take his second victory of the weekend, while Shi and Yao finished second and third. Huang Xizhan was classified a distant fourth, while during the penultimate lap Liang Wenjun’s Volkswagen Golf overtook Huang Xun’s Audi DSG to secure the fifth place overall and victory in the C Class.
The series will come to an end at Lihpao, on November 2/3.
Lihpao – Race 1
- Gao Zilong (Liming Racing, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 12 laps
- Shi Shiwei (Team AAI, Honda Civic Type R FK7), 4.438
- You Yihao (Team Border, Honda Civic Type R FK7), 6.172
Lihpao – Race 2
- Gao Zilong (Liming Racing, Honda Civic Type R FL5), 12 laps
- Shi Shiwei (Team AAI, Honda Civic Type R FK7), 1.997
- You Yihao (Team Border, Honda Civic Type R FK7), 3.695
Championship points
- Gao Zilong, 68 pts; 2. Shi Shiwei, 50; 3. You Yihao, 38
Picture: STS
