Very tough season start at ZIC

Asia Racing Team (ART) Motorsports had a tough season start this weekend on Asian Formula Renault Championship non-championship race at the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC).

Qualifying saw a heart-rending session for ART drivers. Formula Renault 2.0 debutant Luca Ferigutti’s session came to an early end when he went out at T12 on his first flying lap. Lady Luck did not smile on Michael Wong too as the former motocross rider would have the same luck on T4. Without any pressure Wilson So made his race debut qualifying 12th, and Michael Choi showed that he is still quick at any track against any driver on any given. The 2003 Asian Formula Renault Challenge runner up would place the best ART car in 5th position on the grid.

In the Saturday’s Race ART the team did not experienced the same misfortune. Choi finished the first lap in 5th place where he stayed until the end, as he was unable to move any further up the classification. The position was enough for him to win the Gentlemen Drivers trophy called “IFC Trophy”. After a disastrous qualifying, Ferigutti slowly worked his way up in the race until he got stuck behind two slower opponents. Without being able to overtake the two cars in front of him, the 28 years old Swiss born finished on 10th. So was 12th at the chequered flag and he had a golden chance to climb on the podium for the Gentleman Drivers’ trophy but he lost his 3rd position with two laps to go. Wong exhibited smooth driving and placed his car in the 13th position.

Sunday’s Race was very tough for everyone in ART. In the first lap Michael Choi got tangled with an opponent and lost a position but he was lucky enough to cross the finish line in 6th and win “IFC Trophy” again. After a clean start Ferigutti showed he had the pace to finish further than 10th but the MagicGoal sponsored driver would spin when he was trying to reach the 8th place. Despite a car that was damaged in an early race collision Michael Wong managed to finish 15th. So’s race came to an end when he tried an overtaking manoeuvre on the second lap of the race and both cars came together.

The 2009 championship genuine battle will commence in two month time when Asian Formula Renault Championship heads to Thailand on May 9 and 10 at the Bira Circuit.

END.

#8 Michael Choi (HK)
Qualifying: 5th
Race 1: 5th
Race 2: 6th

“On Race 1 I didn’t start well but I got 5th. I did my best to finish 4th. On the slow parts I was quite fast and I was catching up so quick on the straights but I couldn’t overtake him at all. The Race 2 wasn’t that different. I had a bad start and got hit by another car and dropped to 6th. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get back the lost position”.

#27 Luca Ferigutti (HK)
Qualifying: 13th
Race 1: 10th
Race 2: 10th

“Even if the Race 1 result wasn’t that good I am happy for what I did. I struggled to overtake the cars in front of me. I kept fighting until the end and hoping for a mistake so I could get away but it didn’t happen. The Race 2 was quite similar. I lost one position at the start, but in the end I was a bit faster than Samson ahead of me, but he is not easy to pass. When I almost did it I spun and lost one more position. I am fine with the team and happy with the car they gave to me so I hope the next race will be better.”

#31 Wilson So (HK)
Qualifying: 12th
Race 1: 12th
Race 2: DNF

“On Saturday the race was very positive. Despite the fact that the weather was not so good, what made me feel nervous; I managed to finish in the same position as I started. It was pity that I couldn’t finish the Race 2. The guy in front of me crashed into my car when I was passing him. I hope to have a chance to win a trophy some day in the future. But in general it has been very encouraging.”

#32 Michael Wong (HK)
Qualifying: 15th
Race 1: 13th
Race 2: 13th

“Basically it was an Ok weekend for me. That’s a Gentlemen’s race! I was here to enjoy it and that was what I intended to do. On Race 1 I could have finished further but I couldn’t hold the position after passing the opponent in front of me. Well, the Sunday’s race wasn’t good in any way. I had an early collision and had to come to the pits to change the crash box, and my race was done. All in all, next time will be better.”

Photos: Akin & Cheung Chi Wai