Marchy Lee took his first victory of the season at Zhuhai, after his championship rivals self-destructed in the opening race. Lee then doubled up in the 2nd race, while title rivals Christian Menzel, Craig Baird and Rodolfo Avila were all in damage limitation mode.
Lee made the perfect start in the first race, flying by Avila off the grid, therefore avoiding the carnage that was to come.
It wasn’t just Lee that drove past Avila at the start – both Menzel and Baird drove straight past as the Macanese driver dropped down to fourth place from pole. A lap later Avila tried rather too hard to gain the places he had lost back – while trying to pass Menzel he drove striaght into Baird, causing both to spin, and Avila to collect championship leader Menzel in the process. All three were out on the spot – and Lee’s only threats for victory were gone.
“That was the best start in a Porsche I have ever had,” said Lee afterwards. “I knew we had the speed this weekend, and my fastest lap was quicker than the best qualifying time. I'm back in the game!”
Guest driver Keita Sawa inherited 2nd place, and would finish a massive 5.5 seconds behind. In third was the first of the Class B drivers, Mok Weng Sun, who made history as the first amateur driver to score an overall podium in the series, and also secured his fifth class win in a row.
“After the incident [with Avila, Baird and Menzel] I had an enormous smile on my face – I am absolutely delighted!” exclaimed Mok. “I got a good start and was able to keep up with the professional racers for a while. But [Class B] certainly isn't a cake walk. Jeffrey Lee was only a few 100ths from me in qualifying, both here and in Beijing, so it's getting closer.”
Race 2 was a case of make up as many places as possible for the trio of Menzel, Barid and Avila, who started dead last on the grid.
With Menzel at the head of the train they quickly picked their way through the field, but when they reached the back of Sawa’s 2nd placed Porsche, their progress ground to a halt. Despite suffering brake and temperature issues the Japanese driver held on to secure the middle step of the podium.
But once again it was Lee dominating out front, further narrowing the gap to championship leader Menzel.
“I knew I had to push hard for the first three laps, and to try and manage Sawa,” said Lee. “His lap times were so close this time, it was important not to make any mistakes.”
Meanwhile in Class B, Mok Weng Sun continued his 100% win rate, and has been so consistent he is even 3rd in the overall championship after the first 6 races.
Click here for race one results // Click here for race two results
