Formula I victory in first Chinese round sets Price on course for the title
American Jay Price pulled off a remarkable victory in China on October 12 despite breaking a propeller in practice. He achieved his second victory of the season and now leads the championship by a comfortable 30 points after his top five challengers failed to finish the Chinese Grand Prix in Liuzhou, the fifth round of the 2008 UIM series.
The New Orleans driver took command of the race after a series of events that saw the first four drivers pulling out following a most spectacular coming together on the first turn. Italian champion Guido Cappellini cut across Team Abu Dhabi driver Ahmad Al Hameli causing him to spin out and end his race.
Cappellini was able to continue in second place for 14 laps before pulling out ruining his chance of winning his tenth world title. Meanwhile, Team Abu Dhabi team-mate Thani Al Qamzi moved up to second chasing leader Sami Selio until retiring on the eighth with trim failure: once again collecting a nil points score for a fifth time
Selio went on to build half a lap lead over the rest until coming to a stop on the 39th ending any hopes of the defending world champion winning his first race of the season.
Jay Price took the advantage. “I know I had a great chance for victory starting in sixth place,” said Price. “I’ve previously won after moving up from fifth and have been on the podium five times and knew that if I just stayed back at the start I would be in a fine position to challenge for a win or a podium at the end of 65 laps.”
The win gives the 30 year racing veteran known as the ‘Ragin Cagin’ 70 points on the season against 40 held by Jonas Andersson who crashed while filling fourth slot on the 43rd circuit.
Australian driver David Trask set a career best after fighting Price throughout the event for a podium place before finally being passed the eventual winner to finish 12.34 seconds astern.
“It was a physical event,” said Trask. “But I’m really pleased since I now hold third place in the championship standings with 32 points. I have a good history of racing here in China and look forward to the next event in Shenzhen in two weeks.”
Italian Fabio Comparato gave another fine performance after starting ninth and finishing third and now moves into fourth in the championship with 31 points.
French driver Philippe Chiappe of the Atlantic Team achieved his best performance of the season in fourth while Tamoil driver Stanislav Kourtsenovsky finished fifth after moving up from 13th.
The Qatar Team rookie driver Youssef Al Khulifi came up with his best performance of his season charging from his 14th starting slot to sixth.
Australian Bob Trask came from 17th to finish eighth with Swedish driver Pierre Lundin filling ninth slot.
The next round of the championship in two weeks time will also be held at a Chinese venue in the town of Shenzhen…
