FAW Audi Racing Team driver Chris Chia seals China GT's GT3 class title at Pingtan 12.12.2022: FAW Audi Racing Team’s Chris Chia was crowned China GT Championship (CGTC) GT3 Champion of 2022 after a sensational solo showing in the final four races of the season.

FAW Audi Racing Team’s Chris Chia was crowned China GT Championship (CGTC) GT3 Champion of 2022 after a sensational solo showing in the final four races of the season.
 


Driving solo for the season-closer, Chris Chia opened the four-race finale with a front row start. Having made a good getaway, a puncture on lap three just before a safety car intervention saw the quick Am driver pit for a tyre change. He rejoined a lap behind, but after a second safety car period, maintained his quick pace to climb the order to P2 three laps from the flag and took his first podium finish of the week.
 


Race two saw Chia make another good start, taking the race lead from his P2 grid position. However, a slow puncture on lap nine meant a lightning-quick pit stop, after which he was able to rejoin the race on the same lap. Lady Luck was smiling on the FAW Audi Racing Team when Chia’s title rival also picked up a puncture and retired from the race, leaving the Audi Am driver to romp home to victory and the 2022 GT3 Drivers’ title.
 


Starting from pole for race three, Chia got away well, keeping his challengers at bay and working hard to pull a gap. However, after less than ten minutes, puncture woes struck again, forcing yet another unscheduled pit stop. That dropped Chia down to the back of the field, but he quickly launched a rapid comeback.



He emerged in third after the mandatory pit stops, maintaining an unrelenting pace. Despite closing the gap to his rivals ahead – and making another pit stop for a second puncture – time eventually ran out for Chia to make any further headway before the flag. However, it was another podium finish for Chia, who this time had the added satisfaction of setting the fastest lap.
 


While technical issues meant Chia was unable to take to the start for the final race of the season, he and his team could be satisfied with a well-deserved GT3 Drivers’ title.
 

 


TEAM QUOTES



Martin Young (Team Manager of Absolute Racing): “The championship is finally over after a difficult season due to covid restrictions. It feels good to win the championship for the second year in a row for FAW Audi Racing Team. After a strong start in round one we always looked in control.


As for this weekend it was a bit of a rollercoaster with pole-positions, wins, podium positions and many pit stops due to tyre failures. Chris' driving was really solid this weekend, and he progressed over the last two events with fastest laps and was quite competitive, so it was a fantastic weekend for him overall. Franky was unable to attend this weekend's races, but we hope to see him again soon.”



Chris Chia (FAW Audi Racing Team Driver): "The most difficult challenge this season was to drive a GT3 car and from a car manufacturer that was new to me. I am very happy that with the support of FAW Audi. My interactions with the team have gradually improved.


I am extremely grateful to my teammate and the entire team for their help throughout the season. The performance of the R8 LMS evo II is excellent, and the team's service is also excellent, allowing the driver to drive without distraction. Next year, I hope to be able to improve on this year's performance.”




Cheng Congfu (FAW Audi Racing Team Driver): “I am very happy to have helped the team to win the championship. I would like to thank FAW Audi for its support throughout the year and Absolute Racing. This year, my teammate and I worked very well together, but we were hampered by the epidemic. I've been focusing on domestic racing these years; I wish we could do more races. I'm looking forward to the competition in 2023."
 





WEEKEND RESULTS



•    RACE 1

•    RACE 2

•    RACE 3

•    RACE 4



Audi Sport Asia,  Absolute Racing also photos