Kevin Gleason concluded an impressive TCR International Series debut at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit with a pair of solid points scoring performances and a pole position (29 March).
Following an unexpected, but welcoming, pole position on Saturday (28 March), Gleason lined-up tenth for the weekend’s second and final race due to reverse grid, as 15 of the 17 cars that made the long journey to Malaysia took to their respective grid positions.
With the air punctuated with noise of TCR engines notes, the lights went out for the final time at Sepang, Gleason bogged down off the line and dropped to the rear of the field, but, in common touring car fashion, heavy contact ensued between several drivers during the early stages of the opening tour, as Gleason picked his way through the debris littering the 3.44mile circuit.
Due to the heavy rainfall during the latter stages of the Formula 1 Malaysia Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday (28 March), the rubber previously laid down by the previous two day’s action was washed away, lowering grip levels of the Michelin slick tyres fitted to the TCR machines.
It was not long before Gleason caught up to the back of Franz Engstler’s brand new Audi TT in his WestCoast Racing-run two-litre turbocharged Honda Civic, running nose-to-tail for several laps.
With never more than half a second between the duo throughout their intense tussle for eighth position, the pair were inseparable and closed down Ferenc Ficza, before Gleason disposed of the pair on the first of Sepang’s two long straights to move into seventh place.
Now in clean air, Gleason, who has competed in two of the world’s toughest endurance races – 24 Hours Nürburgring and Bathurst 12 Hours – began to set lap times similar to the leading pack and narrowed the deficit to sixth placed René Münnich, but was unable to snatch the position away from his team-mate after running out of laps.
After securing five championship points for his pole position and a brace of top seven finishes, Gleason concluded his TCR debut sixth in the Drivers’ standings.
“I have got to be satisfied with my debut in the series. Pole position, no mistakes and a decent chunk of points, is pretty good really,” said Gleason. “I’d like to thank WestCoast Racing for giving me such a fantastic car. The team have worked tirelessly all weekend in the suffocating heat here in Malaysia and without them us drivers wouldn’t have been able to compete at the forefront of such a fantastic series. I’m certainly excited for what the rest of the season entails.”
Kevin Gleason will return to touring car action in the TCR International Series at China’s Shanghai International Circuit, running again as part of the illustrious Formula 1 support package next month (10-12 April).
For more on Kevin Gleason, please ‘like’ his Facebook page or follow @KevinGleason60 on Twitter.