The fourth season of the TCR Asia Series began with very much a sense of deja-vu after two Liqui Moly Team Engstler Volkswagen’s emulated the team’s double victory from 12-months prior, to hand new recruits Luca Engstler and Mitchell Cheah a win apiece at Sepang International Circuit.
Qualifying had delivered the two-time TCR Asia Series Team’s and Driver’s champions a 1-2-3 grid, with reigning TCR Middle East Champion Luca Engstler claiming the narrowest of pole positions (15 one thousandths of a second).
Ultimately Engstler was untroubled in round one, despite immense pressure from team-mate Mitchell Cheah, whilst in round two, the reverse grid start led to a dramatic opening lap which saw a Safety Car intervention, leaving Cheah untroubled up front as Engstler was forced to work his way forward after early contact to be third, behind Hong Kong sensation Lo Sze Ho.