Photo: Procar

Zheng Zhen Dong leads Volkswagen 1-2 in Shanghai Race 1

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Zheng Zhen Dong took victory in the first race of the China Touring Car Championship weekend at the Shanghai Tianma Circuit, leading team-mate Jiang Tengyi by just over a second, with BAIC Senova’s David Zhu completing the podium

Jason Zhang’s Kia retired on lap six, along with team-mate Jim Ka To, triggering the first safety car intervention.

The safety car was called once more when BAIC Senova’s Darryl O’Young retired with a mechanical issue on lap 13.

Zheng’s win is his first of the season, and the second for the Shanghai VW 333 Racing team, after Wang Rue won the opening race at Zhuhai two months ago.

Chen Xu was the top-placed of the Haima Z1 Racing drivers in fourth, while Andy Yan was the best-placed of the Changan Ford FRD Team drivers in sixth, finishing just ahead of points leader Martin Cao.

Martin Xie was the top scorer for Kia Racing in eighth.

The top 12 are reversed for Race 2, putting Haima’s He Zi Yian on pole ahead of BAIC Senova’s Juan Carlos Zhu and Volkswagen’s Rodolfo Avila.