Big leaps for Chinese drivers after Zhejiang event

Following the second round of TCR China at Zhejiang, a number of drivers from the championship are moving fast up the ranking and are set to join the top 100 very soon.

The top climbers from all series of the week came from China, and were the three Hyundai drivers of Zhang Zhen Dong, Rainey He Xiao Le, and Martin Cao Hong Wei. Zhang’s podium finish in Race 1 saw him climb 206 places to 337th overall, while Cao and He both moved up 143 positions, with Cao now placed as high as 247th after only two race weekends.

The Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Racing championship leading pair of David Zhu Dai Wei and Jason Zhang Zhia Qiang made good progress as well and are the top-placed Chinese drivers in the ranking behind Ma Qing Hua, in 212th and 235th respectively.

The top-placed driver from the series is still Northern Ireland’s Jack Young, who remains 21st, thanks to his podium at Zhejiang and also with his points scored from his programme in TCR Europe and TCR Italy last year.

In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, Roy Block and Tim Lewis Jr’s win has propelled them both up to 95th and 70th in the ranking respectively, while a late-race penalty for the Hyundai of Michael Lewis and Taylor Hagler means Hagler drops to 59th and is outside of the qualifying spots for the TCR World Ranking Final, at least for now.

The revitalised TCR Spain series also took place at Navarra, and victory for TCR South America regular Juan Ángel Rosso in Race 2 helped propel the Argentinian driver up four places to 26th in the ranking, while Race 1 winner Enric ‘Quique’ Bordás’ strong debut sees him straight in at position 394.

Picture: TCR China