Zhuzhou hosts new split TCR China series this weekend

The TCR China championship gets underway this weekend, with the category diversifying into two parallel series: the TCR China Championship for pro-drivers, and The TCR Challenge for independents.

With over 30 cars entered for much of the 2023 season, which was won by Hyundai N driver Martin Cao Hong Wei, the new leading championship series will feature a more manageable 19-car entry for the season opener this weekend at the Zhuzhou International Circuit.

The Hyundai N team, run by SS Racing, will field the same three drivers as last year, with Cao returning alongside teammates Rainey He Xiao Le and Andy Yan Cheuk Wai, the first ever TCR China champion in 2017.

Lynk & Co Teamwork Motorsport will field four Lynk & Co 03 cars this year, with former champions David Zhu Dai Wei, Sunny Wong Yat Shing, and Jason Zhang Zhi Qiang all returning for the season, with the team choosing to alternate the driver of its fourth car.

MacPro Racing Team will field two Honda Civic Type R FL5 cars for Martin Xie Xin Zhe and He Wei Quan, while leading Audi customer squad 326 Racing Team runs a trio of Audi RS 3 LMS cars for Wu Yi Fan, Lai Jing Wen, and Zhao Di.

GYT Racing, Norris Racing, Evolve Racing, and Spark Racing will complete the field in the championship class with an array of Honda Civic FK7, Audi RS 3, and Hyundai Elantra cars.

Thirteen drivers will compete in the TCR China Challenge, with a strong contingent of nine Audi cars – some of them in the hands of experienced racers like Paul Poon Tak Chun, Wu Wen Fa and Liu Zhi Chen – facing three Hyundai Elantra cars and a single Lynk & Co.

Timetable

Friday – TCR China Challenge Qualifying: 14:30 (08: 30 CEST)

Friday – TCR China Championship Qualifying: 15:15 (09:15 CEST)

Saturday – TCR China Challenge Race 1: 10:55 (04:55 CEST)

Saturday – TCR China Championship Race 1: 13:45 (07:45 CEST)

Sunday – TCR China Challenge Race 2: 10:55 (04:55 CEST)

Sunday – TCR China Championship Race 2: 13:50 (07:50 CEST)

TCR China Championship – entry list

1 - Martin Cao Hong Wei (Team Hyundai N, Hyundai Elantra N)

2 - Rainey He Xiao Le (Team Hyundai N, Hyundai Elantra N)

3 - Andy Yan Cheuk Wai (Team Hyundai N, Hyundai Elantra N)

5 - Juan Carlos Zhu Hu An (Lynk & Co Teamwork Racing, Lynk & Co 03)

8 - He Wei Quan (MacPro Racing Team, Honda Civic Type R FL5)

9 - David Zhu Dai Wei (Lynk & Co Teamwork Racing, Lynk & Co 03)

12 - Sunny Wong Yat Shing (Lynk & Co Teamwork Racing, Lynk & Co 03)

18 - Huang Kui Sheng (Evolve Racing, Hyundai Elantra N)

26 - Tony Chan Chi Wai (Norris Racing, Honda Civic Type R FK7)

27 - Victor Chan Chun Leung (Norris Racing, Honda Civic Type R FK2)

28 - Lo Sze Ho (Evolve Racing, Hyundai Elantra N)

36 - Jason Zhang Zhi Qiang (Lynk & Co Teamwork Racing, Lynk & Co 03)

37 - Zhou Yun Jie (Spark Racing, Honda Civic Type R FL5)

51 - Wu Yi Fan (326 Racing Team, Audi RS 3 LMS)

52 - Jamie Lai Jing Wen (326 Racing Team, Audi RS 3 LMS)

55 - Martin Xie Xin Zhe (MacPro Racing Team, Honda Civic Type R FL5)

77 - Zhao Di (326 Racing Team, Audi RS 3 LMS)

87 - Man Siu Ming (Evolve Racing, Hyundai Elantra N)

171 - Zhang Hong Yu (GYT Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS)

Picture: TCR China