The two TCR Asia races that took place at Sepang together with the TCR International Series crowned Liqui Moly Team Engstler’s Andy Yan as the new champion. The 32-year old driver from Hong Kong, three times a champion in the China Touring Cars, succeeded his fellow countryman Michael Choi who had won the inaugural season in 2015.
Race 1 – Yan’s title chase began in the wrong way when he was forced onto the grass on the infield at the braking point of Turn 1 during the opening lap. As he couldn’t stop the car, he ran back across the circuit, forcing four cars off the circuit. He rejoined at the back of the field.
Tin Sritrai was leading TCR Asia and running ninth overall, but a turbo issue forced him to retire. That left Kevin Tse in the lead; the TeamWork Motorsport driver won the race despite Yan’s charge back through the field, with Filipe de Souza third.
Race 2 – Sritrai led the field for the first three laps before eventual winner Kevin Gleason managed to pass him. A few moments later Stefano Comini clipped the back of Sritrai’s car that spun off and rejoined in 11th position. He was quickly caught by Yan and Tse who worked their way past the ailing Honda. Yan ultimately classified an impressive eighth, while Tse and de Souza completed the podium.
The TCR Asia final round will be together with the International Series once again, at Macau on November 20.
