PAC: Meritus GP Guangdong Sunday notes

AFIQ COMES DOWN TO EARTH BUT TUNJO DELIVERS FOR MERITUS.GP

Guangzhou, China (Sept 5, 2010): Mohd Afiq Ikhwan could not capitalise on his stunning podium finish yesterday as he only collected points in one of the two Formula BMW Pacific Series races at Guangdong International Circuit today.

In the day's first race, there was contact between teammates Ryan Ritchie and Amirrul Khirudin and Afiq at Turn 1, ending Afiq's race. In the second race of the day, Afiq bounced back from his disappointment to finish sixth.

Oscar Tunjo, however, shone for the Malaysian team as he finished second in both races. Pasin Lathouras was in the points in both races after placing fifth and seventh.

With the finishing order of yesterday's second race determining the grid for today's second race, amendments to the race results affected the order. Tunjo, Jesse Dixon and Lathouras were each penalised 10 seconds for overtaking during yellow flags. The three therefore started from ninth, 10th and 11th position, respectively.

Despite the disadvantage, Tunjo who is the youngest driver in the competition, showed his determination to fly past his opponents to claim his second podium finish of the day.

"This was a really hard race from start to finish. I started from not such a good position so I just kept driving and concentrated on overtaking. The last two laps I was really close to Richard, but with other drivers behind me I decided to close the line and keep second place," said Tunjo, who signed for the Malaysian team late last year.

Earlier, the Colombian finished runner-up to Jordan Oon in the day's opening race and Tunjo commented: "I feel really happy to be back on the podium, especially because we had problems in qualifying. It was a hard start, everyone was trying to overtake other people and I made a little contact with a car, but I kept pushing. I overtook Calvin Wong and then pushed to make a little gap and keep second."

Meanwhile, Richard Bradley has strengthened his position in the Drivers Classification and Rookie Cup championships and now leads by 40 points. Jordan is second in both championships, with Tunjo third.

The Formula BMW Pacific season will continue later this month in Singapore for Rounds 9 and 10 in support of the Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Circuit from Sept 24-26.

-source: meritus racing