(25.10.2003, asianf3.net)

ROUND 9 QUALIFYING: GOLDENPORT CIRCUIT BEIJING, CHINA
It was an eventful qualifying session for Round 9 of the Asian Formula 3 Challenge today at Beijing’s 3.3km Goldenport Circuit.
Pepon Marave took pole for the International Class for the start of tomorrow’s race with a time of 01:00.671, with Jojo Silverio clocking the fastest time in the Promotional Class.

Pepon was thrilled with his performance saying, "The car is handling really well. I’m 8 tenths of a second faster." However, the cooler temperatures were affecting the Filipino driver. "It’s freezing!" he added. "We Filipinos are not used to these temperatures."

The session was red-flagged after Roland Hermoso crashed heavily. There was a tense moment when the Speedtech Asia driver did not immediately emerge from his Dallara 398, but fortunately he was unhurt in the incident and the damage to the car was thankfully not substantial.

"I’m fine, but my pride is hurt," he said after returning to the pits. The car had been bottoming out the previous lap, and he had intended to put in one more circuit of the 3.3km track before pitting. However, he lost control of the car and ended up hitting the tyre barrier.

Castrol Team Goddard driver, having suffered from a cracked rib in Japan, had a disastrous session. "Bang!" said Goddard. "That’s what I heard going flat out in fifth gear going into the last corner. The whole engine seized solid. The only lucky part about the whole incident is that, because it was the last corner, I was able to freewheel into the pits." However, that could be the last piece of luck for Goddard. "I think it’s the end of my race weekend," said the disappointed driver.

"Smoking" JP Tuason persevered in his Speedtech Asia Dallara 398. The machine had been dropping oil and smoking throughout Friday’s practice session, and the problem persisted for the qualifying. However, he is planning on being on the grid for the start of tomorrow’s race. "I’ll be there!" he vowed.

Japanese driver Hideaki Machida is enjoying his first outing in a Formula 3 car, despite the physical demands of the tight, twisty Goldenport track.

Qualifying Round 9

Class:
I – International
P – Promotion