The Teamwork Motorsport-led Suncity Racing Team dominated the opening round of the Hong Kong Touring Car Championship (HTCC), as a victory for Samson Fung preceded a momentous race win for son Alex on his competitive debut at the Guangdong International Circuit (5-6 March).
Four Suncity Group-liveried Peugeot RCZs took to the GIC in China for the HTCC curtain-raiser and it was clear from the outset that the long off-season hadn’t slowed five-time Macau Grand Prix winner, Paul Poon.
He and Samson Fung took turns at the top of the timesheets in free practice, before the former translated his pace into pole position in the 1.6T class, with the latter sharing the front row of the grid, young rookie Alex Fung third and Samuel Hsieh fourth.
Round 1 started well for the Suncity Group Racing fleet and Poon led until the mid-point of the race, when a fuel pressure warning light forced him to ease off and relinquish the lead to teammate Samson Fung.
The multiple HTCC Champions were shadowed by debutant Alex Fung for the most part, until a temperature alarm resulted in retirement, although Hsieh gladly picked up the baton and rounded out a Suncity Group Racing one-two-three.
For Round 2, the starting grid was determined by the finishing order from the earlier race, therefore Samson Fung and Poon locked out the front row, Hsieh lined-up third and Alex Fung took up position at the back of the grid as a consequence of his DNF.
All four drivers rolled out well, Poon making good use of traffic to leapfrog Samson Fung for the lead within the first few laps, as Alex Fung steadily worked his way through the field to fourth position, when a sizeable collision on the main straight involving rival cars necessitated a Safety Car intervention.
Racing resumed and the four Suncity Group Racing Peugeot RCZs ran in formation until, with two laps remaining, the determined Alex Fung passed all three of his more experienced teammates to compensate for his retirement by claiming a maiden HTCC victory.
“I am very pleased to be on the top step of the podium today, especially after yesterday’s DNF,” said Alex Fung. “I know Paul (Poon) and Samson (Fung) let me through towards the end of the race and protected me until the end, which I really appreciated. My first experience of Teamwork Motorsport’s team spirit is unforgettable.”
Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2016 Hong Kong Touring Car Championship (HTCC) are scheduled to take place on the 3 April and Teamwork Motorsport will feature the same driver line-up.
For more information on Teamwork Motorsport, please visit the www.teamworkms.com website, or ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page.