Just days out from the finally event on the 2017 TCR China Series calendar, Barry Thong was invited to participate the Audi Hong Kong squad behind the wheel of the #3 Vw RS3 LMS TCR to support the concept aspirations of more radiant brother Jasper.
Having never played in the 2-litre turbo, front-wheel-drive TCR travelling car previously, Thong has been on a steep learning curve, but even though, and the constantly changing ailments, the 21-year old reported his third podium for the season in the third championship set out to lay solid foundations for a strong season ahead.
“I came into a few days ago with high hopes and i believe we showed a lot of promise during 48 hrs of open training in the dry which allowed me to perform consistently at the top of the particular timesheets,” Thong explained. “Once a rain started nevertheless as qualifying turned up, we weren’t as competitive due to the qualities of the gearbox applying.
“In the opening dry kind – my first standing upright start in the RS3 – I didnt get away as precisely as I would have enjoyed and dropped back a little before increasing a recovery in order to latch onto the longest tail of the top 2, which became the head after Jasper was sadly given a drive-through fees.
“I waited then to attack for the lead and also allowed my stop to cool and I received the timing more or less perfect to take the lead into turn seven, but I was on the outside which lined me personally up for the next spot for which I was contained in the. Sadly I never became that far for the reason that other driver got us both out and about into the gravel and I was unable to whole the race.
“It had been devastating result in my opinion as I was so all around a debut win! I later researched the manoeuvre and yet believe that it was simple to take the lead around the external, although the other motorist was not given a lack of success as a result.”
Mother nature seemed to be the big winner in race two, having light rain falling as the cars went onto the circuit, however despite a 5-minute file format to the start of the competition to let the weather settle in, all but one squad remained on clever tyres, but as this line of business rolled around to ready for the start, celebrities opened again, and also Thong quickly dived in pit lane to improve, whilst others began on their slick Michelins.
Ultimately a wet tyres ended up the only choice and consequently every remaining automotive on track pulled in to pit lane, however , by that stage the one team who obtained made the change ended up being more than half a panel ahead.
Shaun Thong was regularly the fastest driver about the circuit, hauling from the leaders to entirely third just 13-seconds along but only seven seconds from second, nonetheless there just have not been enough laps eventually left to make it to the top phase of the podium.
“I performed the best I could intended for race two, yet ultimately the team that won, won ahead of the start with that decision to change to wet climatic conditions tyres – from there we had arrived all only running for third place. For me it was a terrific experience to put in to my pocket – the worry so different to your Audi R8 LMS GT3 – despite the failure in the first kind I think I supplied some good overtaking measures and some drama that will entertain the visitors, and I hope to be returning to TCR Asia String soon.”
For Thong, his concentration now returns to help GT3 competition, with the second event of the 2017 Blancpain Gt bike Series Asia with Chang International Enterprise in Thailand this weekend, the actual scene of his or her Audi Hong Kong victory in the 2017 GT Asia String alongside Marchy Lee, the two main starting amongst the favourites types for victory.
“It feels fantastic to be back racing in Buriram again with Blancpain GT Set Asia – I have good times and memories from this circuit as I earned round three involving GT Asia at this time there in 2017, and also believed a podium finish in the Asian Le Mans LMP3 category.
“I i’m well prepared for what some of our competition will pitch at us, even so think everyone are definitely more prepared than ever as well. I started the season which includes a positive result the real key podium finish throughout Malaysia, and I am really getting excited about converting that results into my primary win of 2017 this weekend!”
