Chinese electric car manufacturer Lynk & Co which is owned by Geely (who also owns most of Proton Cars) may not have been around for very long, but already this upstart car company has established a name for itself in the world of motorsports, especially in the touring car series worldwide.
This Chinese-Swedish car company has managed to bag 8 victories and 21 podiums in the 2019 World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) with Lynk & Co’s 03 compact sedan has cemented the brands reputation as a force to be reckon with in the world of motorsport.
Now though, the most successful car in the 2019 WTCR is now set to enter the 2020 TCR China championship as reported by website www.automacha.com
This independent championship bid will be managed by the 2018 China TCR champions, Teamwork Motorsports and will be supported by Lynk & Co’s Chinese sales company.
Competing in two race-proven Lynk & Co 03 TCR race cars, The Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Motorsport, to give the team its full name, has fielded two drivers to compete in the 2020 TCR China Championship.
The first of the two drivers is Ma Qing Hua. A former Formula 1 test driver and 2019 season Formula E racer for Nio 333 Racing, Ma has also worked as a motorsport ambassador for the Lynk & Co 03 driving camp.
Joining Ma in the other Lynk & Co 03 TCR race car is Lu Wei, who was a racer in the 2019 China GT Championship.
Both racers expressed confidence in the team and each other, with hopes of fighting for the top positions during the championship season. Ma has even stated that their goal this year is to challenge for the overall title.
Testing of the Lynk & Co 03 TCR race car is already underway this week at the team’s base at the Guangdong International Circuit, with racing to begin soon after.
The 2020 TCR China championship season will begin with a doubleheader at the Zhuzhou International Circuit on the 6th to 9th August, followed by a further four rounds at Ordos, Shanghai, Zhejiang. Finally ending in Zhuhai in November.
Press Release : Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Motorsport will enter the 2020 TCR China championship with two Lynk & Co 03 TCR race cars for drivers Ma Qing Hua and Lu Wei.
The TCR China championship programme will be run by Teamwork Motorsport, the 2018 TCR China champions.
“We are delighted to have secured a very strong TCR China programme in cooperation with Lynk & Co China and Geely Group Motorsport,” said Paul Hui, Team Principal of Teamwork Motorsport.
“Ma Qing Hua has been carefully selected for this programme. He will play a key role with his vast experience of international racing, most recently WTCR and Formula E, and his recent promotional work for Lynk & Co’s Chinese sales company.”
The independent programme will be supported by Lynk & Co’s Chinese sales company.
“This programme is an important part for the Lynk & Co China team to support the motorsport development in China. We were very glad to start the virtual season with Lynk & Co Cyan Racing driver Yann Ehrlacher winning the WTCR e-sports title. And now we look forward to the first real racing of 2020 with the TCR China season start,” said Mr. Victor Yang, Vice President of Geely Auto Group.
“We are very happy to expand our presence in China through the programme of Teamwork Motorsport and to welcome them as customers to us,” said Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Geely Group Motorsport.
“The Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Motorsport with drivers Ma Qing Hua and Lu Wei will represent one of the strongest touring car squads in Asia and we have full confidence in them delivering strong results in TCR China with the Lynk & Co 03 TCR.”
Former F1 test driver and WTCR race winner Ma Qing Hua, who works as a motorsport ambassador for the Lynk & Co 03 driving camp, has got his sights set high for the coming season.
“I am really proud to represent Lynk & Co and Teamwork in TCR China,” said Ma Qing Hua.
“I have some really good memories from racing in China previously and I look forward to bring my experience from WTCR to the team.
“It will definitely be a tough challenge with many strong opponents in TCR China this year, but I have full confidence in the team, and I know that the Lynk & Co 03 TCR is a really good car. Our goal is to challenge for the overall titles.”
Ma has previous experience racing in with Teamwork Motorsport in the TCR China championship, having partnered with Alex Hui at the Shanghai round of the 2017 season.
Ma Qing Hua will be partnered by Lu Wei who raced in the 2019 China GT Championship.
“I share my team-mate’s excitement over joining Shell Teamwork Lynk & Co Motorsport, it is very much a dream come true for me,” said Lu Wei.
“While I lack the experience of Ma Qing Hua, I think we can work strongly together and fight for the top positions this season.”
Ma has already been testing the 03 TCR this week at the Guangdong International Circuit, where the team is based.
The 2020 TCR China season starts with a doubleheader on August 6-9 at the Zhuzhou International Circuit, followed by a further four rounds at Ordos, Shanghai, Zhejiang and finally Zhuhai in November.
2020 TCR China Championship calendar
06-07 August – Zhuzhou International Circuit
08-09 August – Zhuzhou International Circuit
23 August – Ordos International Circuit
12-13 September – Shanghai International Circuit
19-20 September – Zhejiang International Circuit
31-01 November – Zhuhai International Circuit
Research and Text by Joshua Chin
